aquabliss
Well-known member
walnut611 said:Hello, longtime lurker here
I have a question on landscape, when we bought our town home years ago we walked around our neighborhood and contacted only one company. We were surprised when they charged us $500 just for the drawing on what the landscape would be but didn't argue and paid it. We were young and stupid :
What is the correct procedure and how much upfront cost is reasonable? If we go to a couple of different companies and have to pay for all their designs, it will get quite pricey. Thanks!
Try to find a company that includes the formal drawings as part of their quote. When I say "formal" I mean blueprint size drawings that can be submitted to HOA. Most landscapers will also sketch out the proposal for you at no charge but not let you keep it or take pictures of it. Then if you sign with them, they will use the proposal to create the formal drawings.
I would probably not use a landscaper that wouldn't do a sketch-up proposal for me at no charge. Otherwise you're paying them before you know if you even like their proposed layout. You can also contract a landscape architect to do the drawings for you but may not be worth it if your yard is small anyhow.
Regarding cost, CA law allows them to take a deposit of $1,000 or 10% of the final job cost, whichever amount is *less*.
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Media_Room/Press_Releases/2012/August_15.aspx