Listening To You       
        
Our designers bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to each project, but also know that the most successful designs come from listening to our clients. We begin each project by meeting you at your home to walk through the property. We want to find out how you’ll use your yard---whether you need play space for children, room for pets to run, a patio for entertaining, a quiet spot to read, or privacy screening from the neighbors.  We take the time to notice design issues you may not be aware of and offer innovative solutions as part of your plan.  We also want to find out if you have a preference for certain design styles.  Do you like curved lines and a natural look or something more formal and orderly?  Most people like a combination of styles, which is why it is helpful to show us photos of landscapes and gardens that appeal to you.

After we have met, we conduct a thorough site analysis and create a scaled drawing.  The site analysis includes looking at potential drainage issues, measuring changes in elevation, and taking an inventory of existing plants and other features so we can consider how they might fit into your landscape project.  Your home’s architecture and views from inside your house will also be important parts of our evaluation.

Creating Your Plan

We then take all the information from the site analysis and client interview and combine it with our extensive knowledge of plants and landscaping materials to develop your design. As horticulturists, we select plants that thrive in this climate and provide you with year-round color, texture and fragrance.  We’ll help you choose hardscaping materials that form the backbone of your design and compliment your home. We work hard to ensure that the design is practical as well as beautiful, that artistic principles of line, space, texture, balance and proportion work together to create a graceful garden setting.

Upon completing the design, the designer will meet with you again to present the plan and walk through your property, so you can visualize how our design ideas will fit together.  At that time we also will provide a cost estimate for the project.  Once you have accepted the proposal we will schedule the installation.

Installing the Design

As designers, we also act as project managers and work closely with our installation crews to ensure that the project is installed as planned and on schedule.  Hidden Lane’s crews take great pride in their work and are meticulous in all aspects of the job. Their dedication to craftsmanship is reflected in the beauty and quality of your finished landscape. 

Design Fees and Project Minimums

Once your designer meets with you and understands the scope of your project, they can help you establish a budget and discuss any design fees. Design fees are assessed on our more complex projects and are generally applied toward your final payment.  Design Fees start at $500.00 and are billed at $100.00/design hour.
Our projects start in the $6000 range.

Where We Work

While most of our projects are in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, some of our more comprehensive projects extend into a much broader geographic area. 

Getting Started

Please fill out the information on our "Contact Info" page or call us at 703-620-6155.