[soulab 1]

I am a newbie to landscaping and this site....looking for tips on how to implement a designers hard landscaping plan...any help would be appreciated.

[PSUscaper]

completely lost here. You are gonna have to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more specific than 'implement a hardscape plan'

That's like asking a mechanic how to build a car.

[HardDaysKnight]

Originally posted by pennscapes
completely lost here. You are gonna have to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more specific than 'implement a hardscape plan'

That's like asking a mechanic how to build a car.

I was going to post that too, but, with maybe one less "a"

Seriuosly, what is it the hardscape and gives is details.

[Bill Schwab]

Fold the plan into 8 seperate pieces, place it in a brown paper bag. Then run out on your porch, wave the bag over your head three times and scream like a rooster. By the time the morning sun rises the plan will be installed and you can go over to the customer to collect....

Seriously, give us some details first...But, I also have to post this. If you are a newbie to landscape contracting, and, you have to ask how to implement a design, I betting you are in over your head. That said, are you asking about a specific plan, or just in general, like what sequence would a plan be installed?

[soulab 1]

Thankyou all for your comments....i guess i should be asking if there are any books, courses, videos out there which would help me to gain a better understanding of what i should expect from a designers plan and how to understand and read said plans correctly

eg... should i be working from a b&w scale plan or something more elaborate including elevation and perspective....are there any tips you can give which would help me to avoid making mistakes at the construction stage because elevations, measurements or angles have been misinterpreted or incorrectly shown.

.i have seen this happen on a number of ocassions while working for other contractors ...sometimes these mistakes were even pointed out by an astute client who was keeping a close eye on the construction work ....very embarassing wouldn't you agree?

[NCSULandscaper]

i think you are in way over your head

[Lanelle]

I guarantee you that the guys here aren't trying to give you a hard time. At this point we have no idea if you will be building walls, steps, patios, water features, installing 4" caliper trees or three gallon azaleas. Some sort of scope of work would be a starting point. A scaled 2-D plan is a key way of communicating the intended outcome.

[trees]

2-d plans are the starting point. BUT, very rarely are they 100% perfect. Designers (good ones, anyway) can get it MOSTLY right, but small deviations are to be expected. Many plans come with the caveat that they are representations only & used to communicate basic ideas. That's where the installers come in. Their ability to use good judgement, give aesthetic tweaks, and possibly pull off if there are big discrepancies until the designer can get it right are what takes a good design and turn it into a great install.

My suggestion would be to not do anything that you're not comfortable with & gradually build up to the more difficult. Classes are fine, but nothing beats common sense & a good eye and that only comes from experience. Don't get yourself, the designers & (especially) the clients in a bad spot by trying something that you're not yet prepared to do.

If it were as simple as following a plan to the T, there wouldn't be much need for experienced, artistic installers. That part would take care of itself...

[agla]

A good hardscape plan is going to be specific enough as long as you understand basic layout and elevations no mater if it is black and white or a color animation.

It sounds as if you do not have the plan yet.

[motoraced]

plans not need be in "3-d" or other cad methods....one print or site layout plan can tell you pre and post elevations, lenght, and etc, which will tell you all you need to know. it will just take TIME the first few times. cross sections will just speed up the process b/c of detail, but not needed. as a professional, you should know what base, footer, etc is needed, within a site plan print......but i wouldnt know b/c of my age....