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Work With Us
From Site Analysis to Completion
At Dake Land Design, we combine a botanist’s expertise, innovative design, and meticulous execution to create outdoor spaces that thrive. Here’s an integrated look at how we guide you from the initial consultation to a beautifully completed project. We’d also encourage you to check out our FAQs.
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Step 1: Initial Consultation & Site Analysis
Our journey begins with understanding your vision and evaluating the unique conditions of your site.
On-site Consultation
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Schedule an in-person visit to evaluate your property and the surrounding area
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Discuss project goals, scope, and how you aspire to use your space
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Share inspiration through Pinterest boards, Instagram images, or favorite landscapes​
We love soil science! Here’s a few others things we’ll be doing in the background:
​Site Survey
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In-depth review of your property and and the surrounding ecosystem
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Examine soil, existing plants, and weeds to gather insights into growing conditions
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Begin identifying potential styles and plant groupings suited to the site
Testing, if applicable
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Send soil samples to Texas Labs for analysis of nutrient deficiencies or toxic build-up
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Evaluate soil layering, drainability, and other factors crucial to long-term health
For a deep dive into the science, check out our biological process.
Step 2: Design Phase
Once the site analysis is complete, we develop a design that aligns with your vision and the site’s unique conditions.
Design Fee
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A design fee of 8–10% of the estimated project cost secures your spot on the schedule
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Design fees start at $1,000
*Note: we can work with existing designs. See our FAQs.
Deliverables
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Visualization Board:
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A curated plant palette, material selections (stone, steel, etc.), and color options
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Inspiration images to capture the intended style and feel
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Digital Renderings: Clear visuals of your proposed design
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Itemized Bid: Detailed project costs and elements
Collaboration
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Work with us to refine the design, providing feedback and adjustments before finalizing​
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​The design phase typically takes several weeks to several months depending on the complexity and scope of the project.
Step 3: Installation Contract and Timeline
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Once the design and bid are approved, a contract is signed to proceed with installation
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An installation schedule and payment plan are provided before work begins.
Step 4: Installation
Our installation process is rooted in botany and soil science to ensure long-term success.
Execution
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Construct hardscapes with natural materials like rock, steel, and wood.
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Soil Revitalization
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​Revitalize the soil using:
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Microlife Fertilizers and humic acid.
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Biological extractions and bulk bioavailable minerals.
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Cutting-edge inoculation techniques to improve soil biology.
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Plant with a vision for future growth, ensuring every element thrives in its environment.
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Create systems designed to remain beautiful and functional for years to come.
Ongoing Communication
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Regular communication with clients to ensure alignment during construction.
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Adjustments can be made during the build, though changes may affect costs.
Step 5: Finalization and Maintenance
Our relationship doesn’t end when the installation is complete. We ensure your satisfaction and provide options for ongoing care.
Walkthrough
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Conduct a final walkthrough to confirm every detail meets your expectations.
Warranty
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We provide a plant and hardscape warranty in our contract
Maintenance Support
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One quarterly check-ins to ensure landscape is thriving
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Optional seasonal refreshes to clean and rejuvenate plant beds.
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Recommendations for additional providers, such as routine maintenance
This integrated process ensures every project is tailored to your needs, harmonizing with the environment and creating outdoor spaces you’ll enjoy for years to come!
FAQ
Why Choose Dake Land Design? ​
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Small Team, Big Expertise: We are a close-knit team managing both design and installation, offering an interconnected process with no surprises. You will work directly with the owner to make your vision come to life.
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Botanical Knowledge: Our team has a deep understanding of Texas-native plants and soil biology ensures healthy, sustainable landscapes.
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Craftsmanship: We partner with skilled artisans to deliver exceptional hardscapes, plantings, and custom features.
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Tailored to Texas: Every project is designed to thrive in the unique Texas climate while meeting your aesthetic and functional goals.
What’s your starting project size?
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Projects begin at $15,000 for smaller, partial spaces and range into six figures for larger or more complex designs.
What does design + build mean for landscaping?​​
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We offer an integrated approach to design and installation. Both the design and installation teams work together from start to finish, ensuring a streamlined and cohesive process for your landscaping project.
What are the benefits of working with a design + build firm?
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Single Point of Contact: At Dake Land Design, you’ll work directly with the owner throughout the project, simplifying communication and eliminating the need to coordinate between architects, engineers, and contractors.
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Integrated Approach: Designers and installers collaborate from the beginning, ensuring the design is practical, feasible, and aligned with your budget and timeline.
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Time and Cost Savings: Potential issues are identified early, reducing delays and costly changes during construction. The streamlined process allows for faster project completion.
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Design + Construction Expertise: The team’s combined knowledge ensures that your design is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, with solutions tailored to the specific conditions of your property.
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Accountability: There is a single source of accountability for any issues that arise.
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Streamlined Project Management: From permits to subcontractor management, the design + build firm oversees every detail, so you can enjoy a stress-free experience.
How does the design + build model save time and money?
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By integrating design and construction, potential conflicts or miscommunications between separate parties are eliminated. Issues are addressed during the design phase, avoiding costly changes or delays once construction begins. And we design with feasibility in mind. This means your budget constraints and site and soil conditions are considered in the design process, resulting in a design you can actually bring to life! The result is a smoother, faster process that stays on budget.
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Can you work with existing designs? Install pre-designed plans?
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Yes. We are skilled at taking pre-existing designs and adapting them to fit your budget and specific site conditions, such as light, soil, and other environmental factors, ensuring the design is both practical and successful. We have worked with several clients in this capacity, adapting existing plans to a client’s budget and on-site conditions, and our clients have been thrilled with the results.
Do I get to be involved in the design?
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Yes, we welcome your ideas! During the design phase, we’ll spend time sharing inspiration and talking through your specific vision for the project. Some clients have less in mind up front and really look to us to drive the direction of the design, while others have pinterest boards and existing plans ready to share. Our goal during the design phase is to meet you where you are at, provide education around different design directions, materials and plants choices, etc, and get aligned around a shared and customized vision for your property.
Do you offer sustainable design options?
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Yes, we specialize in eco-friendly designs, including drought-tolerant plants and water conservation strategies, tailored to the Texas climate.
What other services do you offer?
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We are happy to support install-only projects. We also specialize in plant curation and selection, and take on the occasional planting refresh project for new and existing clients.
How long does a project take?
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Depending on the scope, timelines range from one week to several months. Our experienced crew often completes work ahead of schedule.
Do you handle permits?
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Permit services are available on a case-by-case basis. We’ll work with you to address any special city or safety requirements.
What’s included in your maintenance services?
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We do not provide routine maintenance, but can recommend trusted service providers in the area. We do provide seasonal refreshes for plant beds, pruning, and cleanup for an additional cost.
What areas do you serve?
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We work in Austin, Bastrop, and surrounding areas.
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