Use and circulation
Entries, paths, patios, play, pets, privacy and maintenance access establish how people and equipment need to move through the property.
Design the whole property before construction
Landscape Design & Planning
Practical landscape plans that connect layout, grades, drainage, irrigation, planting, hardscape and the order of construction.
The scope
Built as a complete system.
A useful landscape design does more than arrange plants. It considers how people will use the property, how water moves, where finished elevations need to meet the home and how excavation, irrigation, hardscape, lawn and gardens will be built in the right sequence.
- Site walk and priorities
- Conceptual landscape layout
- Grades and drainage strategy
- Lawn, garden and hardscape planning
- Irrigation and lighting coordination
- Materials, phasing and construction scope
Planning the work
What we account for before construction.
A buildable landscape design connects the owner’s priorities with site elevations, drainage, access, underground systems, mature planting and the practical sequence of construction.
Grades and water
Building elevations, runoff, low areas, retaining needs and suitable drainage routes shape the layout before finish materials are selected.
Connected systems
Irrigation, drainage, lighting sleeves, utilities and future features are coordinated with lawns, gardens and hardscapes before construction begins.
Buildability and phasing
Machine access, material handling, excavation depths and budget priorities help turn the concept into a realistic construction scope.
The RiverCity difference
Preparation before appearance.
RiverCity designs with construction in mind. Access, drainage, equipment, underground work, material depths and build order are considered early so the plan can move realistically from paper to the finished property.
Our process
Clear from first walk to final review.
Understand the site
We review use, access, elevations, drainage, existing features and the owner’s priorities.
Build the concept
The layout brings together circulation, lawns, gardens, irrigation, hardscape and practical construction requirements.
Refine the scope
Materials, priorities and phasing are clarified so the design can guide an accurate construction proposal.
Preparing an accurate quote
Information that helps us understand the real scope.
Good early information reduces assumptions and helps identify the right site visit, measurements and construction approach for your landscape design project.
Start your project request- Property address and current site photos
- Survey, site plan or building drawings
- Features to keep, remove or add
- Style, material and planting preferences
- Known drainage or access concerns
- Budget priorities and desired timing
Common questions
Good to know.
Can you design and build the complete landscape?
Yes. RiverCity can take the project from early planning through excavation, drainage, irrigation, gardens, lawns, pavers and final construction.
Can you work from an existing landscape plan?
Yes. We can review owner, designer, architect or engineer drawings and price the construction scope shown.
When should landscape design begin?
For new homes or major renovations, planning should begin before exterior grades, concrete and underground routes are locked in whenever possible.
Vancouver Island service areas
Local work from Campbell River to Central and North Island.
Start a project
Planning a landscape design project?
Tell us what you want to build and where the project is located. We’ll help define the right next step.