Executive Green / Outdoor living & design
For a substantial landscape investment, the proposal should explain the complete construction scope, site preparation, responsibilities and exclusions. In Watkinsville and Athens, compare like-for-like plans and allowances rather than choosing a contractor on the lowest headline price.
In this guide
- Give every contractor the same project brief
- Look beneath the finish materials
- Agree on project phases and handover
Planning a substantial project? Share the property, overall scope, investment range and timing.
01 / Outdoor living & design
Give every contractor the same project brief
Write down the problem you want to solve and the activities you want the finished space to support. Include your property location, access constraints, photos and priorities. A usable lawn, an entertaining patio and a drainage correction can overlap, but they are not interchangeable scopes.
Identify a budget range you are comfortable discussing and any target timing. Explain whether you want one complete project or a plan that can be built in phases. A clear brief reduces assumptions and lets the contractor explain where a change in scope would have the greatest effect.
02 / Outdoor living & design
Look beneath the finish materials
A material name does not describe the entire installation. Compare demolition, excavation, base preparation, drainage, hauling and restoration. On a sloped property, walls and grading may need to be planned before the lawn or patio. Retaining-wall design and installation should be assessed with the loads, water movement and site conditions in mind.
- Are the dimensions and quantities described clearly?
- Are product choices specified or listed as allowances?
- Who handles approvals and work by other trades?
- What happens if previously unknown site conditions are found?
- Does the price include cleanup and repair of disturbed areas?
See the work
Treiber project
Existing Executive Green portfolio example. Explore the photos to identify materials, planting and outdoor-space details you would like to discuss for your property.
Your site, scope and conditions will determine the final design.
03 / Outdoor living & design
Agree on project phases and handover
Ask what must happen first and what can wait. Preparing a future lighting route while building a patio may be sensible; adding decorative planting before heavy equipment work may create avoidable rework. A phase plan should preserve access and protect finished sections.
Before accepting a proposal, discuss the payment schedule, change approval process, maintenance instructions and any written warranty terms. Ask for clarification rather than assuming that verbal expectations are included. A finished project also needs an owner who understands watering, cleaning and routine checks.
Price matters, but a cheaper quote that leaves out necessary work may not be the less expensive outcome. Compare the documented scope and decide which proposal best addresses your property and priorities.
04 / Outdoor living & design
Use the portfolio to explain your preferences
Compare the Pappas backyard project with the Treiber outdoor-living project. Tell us which elements interest you and what you would change, rather than requesting an identical design.
Answers before you start
Common questions
Can a contractor give a reliable price from photos alone?
Photos can help with an initial conversation, but site conditions, measurements and access often need an on-site review before a detailed construction scope is priced.
Should I request a price per square foot?
It can be useful for a clearly defined component, but it does not replace a complete scope. Access, drainage, demolition and preparation can change the total substantially.
How do I keep a phased project coherent?
Start with a whole-property plan and identify the infrastructure and access each phase needs. Make sure later work will not unnecessarily disturb the first phase.
Keep planning
Related planning guides
Yard Drainage in Watkinsville: Find the Cause Before Adding a Drain
Read the planning guide →
Paver Patio Planning in Athens: Layout, Drainage and Everyday Use
Read the planning guide →
Substantial properties. A coordinated scope.
Plan a Substantial Landscape Project
Executive Green focuses on high-end residential landscape construction and substantial commercial, campus and community grounds contracts in Watkinsville, Athens, Buford and Metro Atlanta. Discuss your overall scope or call (404) 558-0839. Share property size, investment range, timing and any plans or specifications. We consider outdoor living, site preparation, hardscapes and planting as a coordinated project.
