Consultations & Planning in Charleston, SC

Successful projects often require important decisions to be made before materials are selected or construction is priced. Idea Scapes uses professional consultation and planning services to better understand the property, define project goals, identify site conditions and constraints, and determine what level of design, investigation, or planning is needed before moving forward. Our process begins with a free Discovery Call. During that conversation, we learn more about your property, the work you are considering, your priorities, timeline, and expected investment. If the project appears to be a good fit, we recommend the appropriate next step based on the type and complexity of the work. Landscape Project Consultation | $250 The Landscape Project Consultation is our professional on-site consultation for landscape, hardscape, outdoor living, and broader property improvement projects. During the visit, we walk the property with you, discuss your goals and priorities, evaluate existing conditions, identify opportunities and constraints, and begin defining the appropriate path forward. Depending on the project, the consultation may lead to landscape design, material and product selections, additional planning, estimating, or development of a construction proposal. More complex projects may require additional design or planning services before construction pricing can be responsibly developed. Drainage Strategy Session | $250 The Drainage Strategy Session is a professional on-site evaluation for drainage concerns that require further investigation before a construction solution can be recommended. We evaluate the reported problem, visible water sources, flow paths, existing grades, low areas, site constraints, discharge opportunities, and other conditions that may be contributing to the issue. When appropriate, basic field elevations may also be collected to better understand slope and drainage relationships across the property. The goal is not to arrive with a predetermined product to install. It is to understand the drainage problem well enough to identify the appropriate strategy and next step. The result of a Drainage Strategy Session may be a construction-ready recommendation, a determination that additional investigation is needed, or another appropriate course of action. The $250 Strategy Session is a standalone professional service and the consultation fee is not credited toward future construction. Irrigation Planning Session | $250 The Irrigation Planning Session is a professional on-site evaluation for new irrigation systems, major system renovations, and properties where an existing irrigation system needs to be assessed before substantial work is planned. We review the existing system when applicable, the areas that need irrigation, planting and turf requirements, coverage needs, zoning, available water supply, and how the irrigation system should coordinate with landscape installation, drainage, hardscaping, and other property improvements. The $250 session is intended to establish existing conditions, project requirements, and the recommended path forward. Detailed irrigation design, system layout development, or additional planning beyond the initial consultation may be quoted separately when required. Additional Design & Planning Services Some projects require more development after the initial consultation before they are ready for construction. Idea Scapes provides additional professional planning services based on the needs of the individual project. These services may include landscape design, detailed irrigation design, site measurements, elevation information, material and product selections, construction planning, takeoffs, permitting or ordinance research, and coordination with other professionals when appropriate. Landscape design is a paid professional service and generally begins around $1,000. Larger or more complex landscape and outdoor living projects may require several thousand dollars or more in design and planning services depending on the size, complexity, and level of detail required. Our consultation and planning process is intended to create clarity before construction begins. Rather than rushing from an initial inquiry directly into a quote, our goal is to understand the property and project well enough to develop an appropriate plan, establish realistic expectations, and reduce avoidable surprises during construction. If you are considering a landscape renovation, outdoor living project, hardscape improvement, drainage solution, irrigation project, or another substantial property improvement, start by telling us what you would like to accomplish. We will begin with a free Discovery Call and recommend the appropriate consultation or planning path from there.