SET EXPECTATIONS
Determine how you'll use the
space and what concepts are most
important to you. Will there be foot traffic
from visitors? Are there environmental
considerations? How will you manage or
maintain the space? Ask and answer every
reasonable question related to the space
before moving to the next step.
DETERMINE A BUDGET
Since most long-range plans are
three to five years, realize that you will not
do everything you'd like in Year 1. Instead,
set a capital improvement budget as well as
a general maintenance budget. This over-
time approach to enhancements will help
you achieve results and stay on budget.
CONSULT AN EXPERT
Nobody knows your property like
you do. That isn't to say, however, that you
can't benefit from the advice of a qualified
professional. A landscape expert like your
Davey representative can look at your
plan in light of your budget to give you
a realistic idea about design, installation
and maintenance costs. Plus, the Davey
Resource Group can assist with property
assessments and wetlands studies to
ensure compliance with EPA and other
guidelines.
ANTICIPATE THE
FUTURE
If you know you're going to rebuild, expand
or replace a building with a parking lot,
dial down landscape services for that
area, and divert your budget elsewhere.
More importantly, talk with your Davey
representative about planned renovations so
we can save you time and money.
RE-EVALUATE
Even when things change that
doesn't mean you need to scrap your long-
term plan. Instead, take a good, hard look at
re-engineering your plan. Not only will being
flexible with your plan save you all kinds of
aggravation, it should help prevent wasting
resources and budget.
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STEP BY STEP
PLANNING
GUIDE
