Our Process
Here’s exactly what working with us looks like.
This is not a company that takes your deposit and goes quiet. From your first message to the day we hand over your finished landscape, you’ll know what’s happening, who’s responsible, and what comes next. We’ve been building landscapes across Collingwood and the Georgian Bay corridor since 2013. This is the process we’ve refined across 100+ projects - and the one we’ll follow for yours.
100+
Projects since 2013
6
Clear steps
0
Surprises
Step Two
Your vision, drawn to scale.
After the consultation, our design team gets to work. This is where your property starts to become something. We develop a full landscape design-build concept - not a rough sketch, but a detailed design package.
- Site survey and scaled base plan
- Concept layout: hardscape placement, planting zones, structures, water features, and lighting plan
- Material selections with physical samples presented at review
- Planting plan specifying species, sizes, and seasonal interest
- 2D or 3D visualization before construction begins
Design takes 2–4 weeks for mid-size projects. Larger full-property transformations may take 6–8 weeks. We revise until it’s right - this is a collaborative process.
Step Three
Every line item, before we begin.
Once the design is approved, we prepare a detailed scope of work and project investment breakdown. No ballpark estimates, no “we’ll figure out the rest as we go.” You’ll see:
- A complete description of every element of the project
- Material specifications and quantities
- A line-by-line investment breakdown
- Proposed construction timeline with start and completion dates
- Payment schedule
We walk through this document together, answer every question, and make sure you’re fully comfortable before we ask for a signature. If scope changes during construction, any changes are documented and approved before work begins. Surprises are not how we operate.
$25K
Minimum project threshold
$75K–$200K
Typical design-build range
Step Five
We don’t call it done until you do.
When construction is complete, we schedule a final walkthrough - you, us, and every corner of your finished landscape. We check that every detail is right: joints, grades, plantings seated correctly, irrigation tested and adjusted, lighting dialed in, site cleaned. If anything isn’t exactly as specified, we address it before we close out the project.
- Project completion summary with photos
- Care and maintenance instructions for plantings, water features, and hardscape
- Warranty documentation covering workmanship and materials
- Contact information for ongoing care questions
Step Six
The team that built it can maintain it.
Your finished landscape is a living system. Plantings establish over the first two growing seasons. Hardscape benefits from seasonal inspection. Water features need year-round attention. The same team that designed and built your landscape knows it better than anyone else.
Retreat offers year-round landscape maintenance for clients who want their investment looked after with the same level of care it was built with. This is especially valuable for second-home owners - we manage the property whether you’re here or not, and you’ll hear from us after every visit. Many of our longest relationships started with a design-build project.
How long does this all take?
Real ranges based on 100+ completed projects.
Single Feature
4–6 weeks total
Patio, water feature, or pergola
Mid-Range Project
6–11 weeks total
Multiple features combined
Full Transformation
3–5 months total
Complete property renovation
Seasonal note:The Georgian Bay outdoor building season runs May through late October. Spring construction slots typically fill by January. If you’re thinking about a summer project, now is the right time to reach out - getting into the design process early secures your place in the build schedule.
Ready to take the first step?
Fill out the consultation request and we'll reach out within 48 hours to schedule your on-site meeting with Patrick.
This is the beginning of a conversation, not a commitment. Tell us about your property, your goals, and your timeline.
No cost for the consultation. No pressure to proceed.