Our Landscape Design Process

A Proven, Comprehensive Design Process

We listen carefully, then apply deep design and construction experience to translate your goals into a creative solutions—delivering landscapes that are more thoughtful, cohesive, and enduring than you imagined on your own.

How Our Design Process Works

At KG Landscape, excellent outdoor spaces start with smart planning and thoughtful design. For homeowners throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, our design team takes the time to understand your goals, your preferred style, and how you hope to use your outdoor space.  From the first discussion to the final details, we work as a true partner to bring your ideas to life.

Our approach balances creativity with clarity. The process is clearly defined, but adaptable — guided by professional experience and shaped around your priorities, budget, and long-term goals. Beginning with an on-site consultation and moving through design development, revisions, and installation planning, we make sure you always know what’s happening and what comes next. The result is a landscape that’s both visually compelling and built to perform in Minnesota’s demanding conditions.

For More Information About Our Landscape Design Services and to See Examples of Our Work

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Whether your project focuses on outdoor living spaces, plantings, or addressing site challenges like drainage or grading, everything starts with listening. By understanding your property and its limitations, we’re able to create a custom design that feels intentional, functional, and uniquely yours.

Goals of the Landscape Design Consultation

Step 2: Conceptual Design Creation Phase

The goal of the conceptual design phase is to use our creative expertise and extensive experience to explore the very best ways a project can be accomplished. During this phase, we study a variety of layouts, spaces, and styles to uncover solutions that are both functional and visually compelling.

We involve our customers early in the design process by asking thoughtful questions, discussing initial ideas in person during the design consultation, reviewing inspiration images provided by the customer, and having open, collaborative conversations about how the space will be used. This early engagement helps ensure the design direction aligns with the customer’s goals, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences.

Rather than spending extensive time developing a single design that may not fully meet a customer’s expectations, KG Landscape most often prepares multiple conceptual layout options—typically ranging from 2-7 designs. These concepts allow customers to see what is possible and compare different approaches side by side, such as variations in patio shape, layout, and spatial organization. Many design companies present only one “take it or leave it” option; our approach empowers customers to make informed decisions by exploring multiple ideas.

Landscape Features and Design Considerations

During the conceptual design phase, KG Landscape explores the layout and placement of key landscape features identified as priorities during the initial design consultation. This stage allows us to thoughtfully test different ideas and relationships between features to determine what works best for the property and the homeowner’s goals.

These features may include wood structures such as fencing and gates, as well as the design and placement of pergolas or other overhead elements above a patio space. We carefully consider how these structures interact with the home itself—evaluating sightlines from windows, connections to decks, changes in elevation, and how the structures relate to the home’s architecture and surrounding landscape.

During this phase, we also begin thinking about how these features influence circulation, privacy, shade, and overall functionality of the outdoor living space. By exploring multiple configurations early in the process, we can identify opportunities and avoid limitations, setting the stage for a well-integrated design that balances aesthetics, usability, and long-term enjoyment.

Determining the Size and Function of Outdoor Living Spaces

One of the most important conversations we have during the conceptual design phase is determining the appropriate size of the outdoor living space. When designing a new paver or natural stone patio, we work closely with homeowners to ensure the space is sized correctly to support how they plan to use it—both day to day and when entertaining.

Rather than guessing, we focus on function first. This includes understanding how many people the space should comfortably accommodate and how the patio will feel once furniture, grills, and other features are in place.

Understanding Furniture, Activities, and Core Uses

A key part of this discussion centers on what furniture and activities the homeowner envisions for the patio. We talk through questions such as:

• What type of seating will be used?
• Will there be dining, lounging, or both?
• Is a grill or outdoor kitchen a priority?

These answers help determine how many core spaces the patio should include and how much room each space requires to function comfortably without feeling crowded.

Designing Single-Core and Multi-Core Patio Space Layouts

Some patio designs focus on a single primary use. A one-core-space patio might include a fire pit seating area or a dining space with a table and  chairs.

Other projects benefit from two or more clearly defined core spaces. A common two-space patio layout includes a dining area for meals and grilling, along with a separate lounge space where outdoor furniture can be arranged and left in place. In this scenario, the dining area and the lounge area are considered two distinct core spaces.

For larger outdoor living areas, we often design three primary core spaces. These typically include a dining space, a lounge space, and a dedicated fire feature area, allowing each activity to have its own purpose-built zone.

Creating Flexible and Interchangeable Outdoor Spaces

In some cases, homeowners want the functionality of three uses without increasing the overall patio size. One way we achieve this during the conceptual design phase is by creating flexible layouts. For example, a two-core-space patio may include a movable fire pit that allows one area to function as either a lounge space or a fire feature area, depending on how the space is being used.

This approach creates versatility while maintaining a manageable patio footprint. Although the space may not support all three uses simultaneously without rearranging furniture, it allows homeowners to adapt the space based on their needs.

Step 5: Final Design & Proposal

The final design phase brings clarity and resolution to the overall landscape plan. At this stage, the design is fully developed to clearly define the scope, intent, and details of the project so it can be accurately reviewed and priced.

The final drawings outline all key elements of the landscape, including specific plant selections, proposed materials and finishes, design intent for hardscape features, anticipated grading or drainage considerations, and the general locations of elements such as irrigation or landscape lighting. These plans are created to clearly communicate what is included in the project and how the various components relate to one another.

While the design is highly detailed, it is intended to support understanding, coordination, and cost development—not to serve as construction blueprints.

Establishing Clear Pricing

Once the final design details are confirmed, we prepare a fixed-price proposal based on the scope illustrated in the plans. With the design clearly defined, we are able to provide accurate and transparent pricing for the work shown.

You’ll receive a detailed proposal that breaks the project into organized sections or line items, making it easy to understand what is included and how the overall investment is structured.

Next Steps Toward Construction

After reviewing and approving the final design and proposal, clients who choose to move forward can authorize the project by signing the agreement and submitting the required deposit to reserve a place on our schedule.

Once the agreement was signed and the deposit received, a start date was scheduled. Start dates are typically booked several weeks in advance, depending on the time of year and overall project volume.

This phase marks the transition from design planning to construction preparation, providing the clarity and confidence needed to move forward.

From Design Approval to Project Start Date

What happens after you sing up?  Once your final landscape design and written estimate are approved, your project officially moves from planning into our construction schedule.

To secure your place, a 30% deposit is required as well as a signed proposal. At that point, your project is locked into our installation queue, meaning your spot is reserved in our project order. Any projects approved after yours are scheduled to begin once your installation is complete.

Project Scheduling & Timeline

When your project is added to the schedule, we will provide an estimated installation window. This time frame typically ranges from 3-8 weeks until estimated project start dates.

Please note that timelines can vary depending on:

• Seasonal demand
• Current project volume
• Weather conditions
• The progress of projects ahead of yours

Because landscaping is both weather-dependent and sequential, scheduling remains flexible to ensure each project is completed with the proper care and attention.

Ongoing Communication & Updates

While you wait for your project start date, our your designer will remain your primary point of contact. As your installation approaches, we’ll provide updates on:

• Your expected start window
• Any schedule adjustments
• A clearer ETA as your project moves closer to the top of the schedule

If weather or project timing causes changes, we’ll communicate proactively so you always know where things stand.

A Thoughtful, Organized Approach

This scheduling process allows us to maintain quality, manage expectations, and deliver consistent results for every client. By sequencing projects carefully, we ensure your landscape installationreceives the time, craftsmanship, and attention it deserves.

Project Execution, Communication & Completion

Once your project moves into construction, your landscape designer remains actively involved throughout the entire build and continues to be your primary point of contact. Clear communication during this phase is essential to delivering a finished landscape that matches the approved design and proposal.

Throughout the project, this may include:

• On-site check-ins and walk-throughs as needed
• Ongoing communication between the designer and installation crew
• Coordination to ensure design intent, materials, and details are executed as planned

This hands-on approach allows us to manage details in real time, address nuances as they arise, and maintain a high level of accuracy and professionalism during construction.

Quality Review & Final Walkthrough

Once installation is complete and the project has been built according to the approved design and proposal, the work is inspected by your designer to confirm that all elements meet our quality standards.

For most projects — especially larger installations — we then schedule a final walkthrough with you. During this time, we:

• Review the completed work together
• Address any remaining questions
• Discuss maintenance best practices and watering guidelines
• Ensure you feel confident caring for your new landscape

Our goal is to make sure you are completely satisfied and comfortable with your finished outdoor space.

Project Close-Out & Ongoing Support

After the walkthrough is complete and everyone is satisfied with the finished work, the project is considered complete and the final invoice will be issued. Final payment can be made by check or online ACH payment.

At KG Landscape, we take tremendous pride in the quality of our craftsmanship and stand behind our installations. If you ever have questions after your project is complete — or if something doesn’t seem quite right — our team is always happy to answer questions or revisit the site to review any concerns.

KG Landscape Management stands behind every one of our completed projects. We cherish your choice to have our company perform your landscape design and construction.