The Purpose of the Consultation
A garden and landscape consultation is a clarity step.
It is designed to evaluate the property, identify constraints and opportunities, and define the most appropriate path forward. It prevents rushed decisions, mismatched expectations, and expensive missteps.
The consultation is where we establish:
whether the project is a strong fit
what matters most on the property
what must be solved first
what can be phased without compromising the end result
what the next steps should be, based on real conditions
It is not a “shopping trip for ideas.” It is professional evaluation.
How the Beginning Works
The process begins in two steps:
A brief initial call.
We discuss your goals, your property, and mutual fit. If it is aligned, we schedule the on-site consultation.A paid on-site consultation.
This is the in-person evaluation of the site and the project direction. It is focused, practical, and rooted in long-term performance.
A simple expectation to keep in mind:
The initial call determines fit.
The on-site consultation determines the best path forward.
What the On-Site Consultation Is
An on-site consultation is:
a focused site reading and professional evaluation
a clarity step that defines priorities and sequencing
an assessment of constraints, risks, and opportunities
the foundation for sound design decisions and a sensible process
It is where I get enough real information to tell you what is possible, what is risky, and what should happen first.
You should leave with clarity, not a rush of scattered ideas.
What the On-Site Consultation Is Not
An on-site consultation is not:
a design session
a set of drawings or a planting plan
an estimate visit for construction pricing
a “walk and sketch” appointment with deliverables you can hand off to someone else
No design is produced during the consultation. No planting plan is created. No concept drawing is delivered.
Design and any deliverables come later, under a signed agreement and retainer, after deeper site analysis work has been completed.
What You Can Expect to Leave With
You should leave the consultation with:
clearer priorities and a more accurate understanding of scope
a recommended sequence, including what should happen first
an understanding of key constraints that affect timing and cost
guidance on whether phasing is appropriate
a clean next step, based on fit and project requirements
This is where your project stops being a vague idea and becomes a defined direction.
What Happens After (If You Engage)
f you engage Stephen after the consultation, the next phase begins under a signed agreement and retainer.
This is when deeper work happens, including:
more intensive site analysis
design intent development and concept direction
drainage and grade strategy integration when needed
master planning and phased sequencing
planting design development, including long-term maturity logic
This work is what makes the final landscape coherent. It is also the part that cannot be compressed into a single meeting without sacrificing quality.
How to Prepare (So the Consultation Is Productive)
Before we meet, what helps most is clarity, not perfection.
Bring:
a short list of priorities and non-negotiables
photos of the property, including problem areas
notes on drainage issues, deer pressure, and invasives if present
what you want the landscape to feel like and do
any constraints: timing, access, pets, kids, privacy needs
Avoid over-preparing with plant lists. The site must be read first. Planting comes after the property is understood.
In Practice
A consultation should feel calm, clear, and professional.
It is a boundary-setting step that protects your investment and protects the long-term quality of the landscape. If you are looking for a designer who will make on-the-spot promises, or produce a plan you can hand to the lowest bidder, that is not this process.
If you want a landscape that is composed, resilient, and built to mature beautifully, this is the correct beginning.
Begin with a brief phone conversation. When we’re aligned, an on-site consultation is scheduled and the most appropriate path forward is defined.
Notes & Use
© 2026 Stephen Coan Garden Design. All rights reserved.
This Project Fit Guide is provided for personal, non-commercial use. It may be shared as a link, but may not be reproduced, republished, sold, or redistributed in part or in full without written permission.
The Coan Method™ is a trademark of Stephen Coan Garden Design.