Site - sketch - soil - stunning
Landscaping and hardscaping projects are about much more than moving dirt and digging holes. When you partner with The Dirty Designer, your project follows a carefully developed process shaped by more than three decades of hands-on experience. Choosing the right contractor isn’t easy, and we deeply value the trust you place in us. Our goal isn’t just to create beautiful outdoor spaces – it’s to deliver an unforgettable client experience.
Here’s how the Dirty Experience unfolds
Step 1 is an on-site Discovery Meeting.
Depending on the size and scope of the project, they usually last 30 to 60 minutes. A Discovery Meeting is about gathering information from you and assessing the current site.
Gathering
What parts of your existing outdoor space do you not like?
Do you have any children and how do all of you use the space now?
Do you have any pets?
Do you entertain often, or have large gatherings
How would you describe your style? Modern or traditional?
Do you like warm or cool colors?
What is a comfortable budget range that is set for this project?
Assessing
- Are there any low lying wet areas in the yard?
- Where can we stage materials and park vehicles and equipment?
- Are there any low hanging wires , tree limbs, exposed pipes or structures?
- Where are the downspouts and are they buried?
- Where is the sump pump discharge and does it run often?
- Is access to the area large enough for machines or is it hand work?
- Does the property have a steep slope?
2 - SKETCH
Step 2 is the Design Process. We’ll use 2D and/or 3D digitally animated designs to bring ideas to life. Designs are not required for small jobs, like adding a simple walkway, but they’re required for large or highly detailed construction projects.
A 2D design is an “overhead drawing” that’s usually in black and white but color can be added. These are perfect for adding a basic walkway or flat patio. Even a new garden or planting area can be shown nicely with a 2D design.
2D designs start at $500
A 3D design is a fully animated digital drawing with countless possibilities. You’ll not only be able to see your new outdoor space, you’ll be able to experience it. You’ll see the texture and color in the leaves, the shine of the stainless steel kitchen appliances and the running water in your new waterfall. You can even see all the lighting in Night Mode.
3D Designs start at $1500
Step 3 is the Construction Process. This is where you’ll experience what sets us apart from everyone else. Our crews follow a strict set of guidelines and construction procedures that include items such as;
Let's Get Dirty
- Regular and proactive communication
- Updates on job status and timeline goals
- Use a porta-potty (not go behind your bushes)
- Perform routine job site cleanup of trash and tools
- Will work to keep your neighborhood roads clean and clear
- Use 2D | 3D plans to ensure things get built perfectly the first time
We'll discuss even more when we meet in person
4 - Stunning
Step 4 is where you finally get to sit back and enjoy it. All of the hardwork is complete and now it’s time to start living in your new space. As great as it looks now, it’s going to get even better. Plants will get larger, more flowers will appear, moss will grow on the boulders of your wall or new pond. The lights will cast even larger shadows as plants continue to grow. The fragrance of the gardens captivate you every time you step outside.
What Now
Don’t worry – we’ll leave you with all the information you’ll need to know about how to care for and maintain each plant we installed. You have the names and/or model numbers of each material, appliance or structure we installed. You’ll have written copies of our warranties to give you peace of mind if there’s a problem down the road.
Care Package
Are you worried about maintenance because your thumb “isn’t so green”, you or you just don’t want to spend your time doing that? Don’t worry, we can help with that. We’ll discuss our complete garden maintenance programs to make sure your outdoor living space looks as good in 10 years, as it does on day one.
What It's Like Getting Dirty With Us
Turns out, getting dirty is actually a pretty great experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About our Construction Process
Every part of our process during the design, estimating and construction journey, has been carefully curated to provide a seamless and wonderful client experience.
Put Simply: We Dig Dirt, Not Stress and Confusion
How far in advance should I start the process of finding a contractor for my project?
This depends on the size and complexity of your project, but a safe bet is 6 months. Most reliable and high quality contractors are usually booked 3 to 6 months in advance. Plus the design and estimating process can usually take around two months (or more) to complete
After I sign the contract and make my initial deposit, how long does it take for my project to start?
Every project varies, but there are a few things that usually determine how long the wait is. Things like permits, engineered drawings, custom order materials, subcontractors (if required) and our current construction schedule are usually what determines a project start time. We usually start projects within 3 to 4 months after a deposit has been made.
Is there anything I should do before you start work on my project?
This is a great question and there are a few things you should do. We always call PA 1-call to locate underground utilities, but they do not include buried dog fences, buried lighting cables, downspouts, or private water and sewer pipes. If you have any of these, we highly suggest you call those services and ask them to mark them out. We’ll also work together to make plans for things like where to park cars and trucks, and where we can stage materials and equipment during construction.
Do you guys work when it rains?
We all know that meteorologists usually don’t get the forecast right, but we do our best to plan ahead based on pending weather. In the event of rain, we’ll make plans to perform tasks that can be done under a tent or in wet conditions. Sometimes this is very challenging based on what phase of work your project is in. We also want to be very mindful that we don’t make a muddy mess on your driveway or neighborhood streets. Sometimes large or multi-day rain storms can delay a project even after it stops raining. We’ll keep you well informed of what to expect during your project so you’re never wondering.