Project Management

The role of Project Manager is to act as a coordinator and overseer of the installation of a project. A Project Manager will schedule each step in the appropriate order and be sure that each phase is completed to the standard of the design. This phase includes pulling and ordering plants and materials to be delivered. Hand selecting the strongest, healthiest plants to live in your space ensures the best chance at a healthy, successful landscape for years to come. During this phase, a PM is also able to replace any plants that are not available with another that is appropriate for the soil, sun, maintenance level, and true native status (if applicable) to ensure a replacement plant will serve the same purpose in the landscape. The Project Manager is able to establish guidelines for best planting practices, so you can rest assured your plants are being set up to thrive for years to come.

 There are so many ways a design can be interpreted on paper, especially by a contractor and crew members who weren’t part of the design process. The Project Manager can serve as the bridge between the client and the contractor. It has been my experience that all installations benefit from a Project Manager who can step back and see the larger picture. Clients can save money, usually more than the cost of using a Project Manager, because they avoid costly mistakes that have to be re-done due to misinterpretation.

While the Master Plan should have as much information as possible, and strives to serve as a detailed road map, most often contractors do not actually study it. Quite often, it is not even present on the job site.  The Project Manager is there at key stages during the construction to make sure there is no misinterpretation.

Being able to safely usher a design from a concept to a living, thriving creation is the most rewarding aspect of designing gardens. In my experience, having the designer see the process through to end is the best way to ensure your outdoor space is installed to reach it’s full potential.