Process
What happens after you get in touch.
Landscape projects are unfamiliar territory for most homeowners. Here is exactly how ours run, stage by stage, so nothing about the experience is a mystery.
- 01
Initial Conversation
About 20 minutes, by phone
You tell us about the property, what isn't working, and roughly what you're hoping to invest. We tell you honestly whether we're the right studio for the project. No drawings, no pressure, and no obligation on either side.
- 02
Site Visit
60–90 minutes, on the property
We walk the property with you. We look at the architecture, grade, drainage, soil, light, existing plants worth keeping, and how you actually use the space. We take measurements and photographs, and we leave with a clear scope for the design.
- 03
Design
Four to six weeks
We develop the landscape plan: beds, structure, circulation, materials, and a planting plan with species, quantities, and sizes. We present it in person and expect to revise it — one round of refinement is built into every design engagement.
- 04
Proposal
One to two weeks after approval
Once the design is settled, you receive a detailed installation proposal: scope, plant schedule, soil and site work, phasing options if useful, and a fixed price. Nothing on it will be a surprise.
- 05
Installation
One to three weeks on site
We schedule to the planting season, then handle site preparation, soil work, planting, edging, and mulch. We're on site daily, we coordinate any other trades, and we protect the property while we work.
- 06
Completion
The final afternoon, then the first year
We clean the site thoroughly and walk the finished landscape with you. You get a plain-language care plan for the first year — watering, cutback timing, and what to expect as things fill in. We check back after the first season.
You'll always know the number
We give investment ranges early and a fixed price before installation. We don't discover costs halfway through a project.
Phasing is normal
Large properties are often best built over two seasons. The design is complete from the start; the installation simply follows in a sensible order.
One point of contact
The person who designs your landscape stays with the project through installation and the first season after it.
Common questions
Practical questions about timing and cost.
- How long does a landscape design project take?
- Design usually takes four to six weeks from the site visit. Installation is scheduled by season and generally takes one to three weeks on site. From first conversation to finished landscape, most projects run three to five months.
- What does landscape design cost on the Main Line?
- Union works in tiered packages so the budget is clear up front. A small garden design runs $800 to $1,200, a medium yard $1,200 to $1,800, a large landscape $1,800 to $2,800, and an estate property $2,800 to $3,600. The design fee is separate from installation.
- How much does a residential landscape installation cost?
- Each design package carries a recommended installation range based on projects we have completed. Small gardens generally run $5,000 to $12,500, medium yards $7,500 to $27,500, large landscapes $10,000 to $45,000, and full estate properties are quoted custom.
- Do you provide ongoing maintenance?
- We are a design and installation studio, not a maintenance company. We provide a clear seasonal care plan and can coordinate with your existing property caretaker so the landscape is looked after correctly.