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Royal Landscaping Houston, Landscape Houston, Houston Landscape, Pavers, Houston Pavers, Paver, Houston Ponds, Sprinkler Houston Irrigation, Waterfalls, Drainage, Sugarland

 

 

 

 

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BUILDING A GOOD LANDSCAPE?
HOW TO BUY A LANDSCAPE: THE RIGHT WAY!
DO WE GIVE FREE ESTIMATES?
DO WE CHARGE FOR TRAVEL TIME?
THE AREA I WANT TO LANDSCAPE IS SMALL.
CAN I ASSUME THE DESIGN WORK WILL TAKE LESS TIME, AND THEREFORE COST LESS?
WHAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREA DO YOU SERVE?
WE DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE DESIGN PROCESS BEFORE COMPLETION.
DO WE STILL HAVE TO PAY DESIGN FEES EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE (OR NEED) A PLAN?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN WORK?
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE? WHAT IS INVOLVED?
WHO OWNS THE PLANS, IDEAS, AND INFORMATION GENERATED DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS?
WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE YOUR PLAN - DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY YOUR FEE?
I WANT TO INSTALL THE LANDSCAPE MYSELF. WILL YOU DO THE DESIGN WORK?
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF A LANDSCAPE?
WHY DO YOU COLLECT A RETAINER FOR DESIGN SERVICES?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESIGN AND CONSULTATION?
WHAT IF I LIKE THE PLAN, BUT INSTALLATION COSTS FAR EXCEED MY BUDGET,
DO I STILL OWE YOU FOR THE PLAN EVEN IF I'M NOT GOING TO USE IT?
WHEN THE LANDSCAPE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, WILL I GET A FINISHED PLAN DRAWN ON PAPER?
CAN I HIRE SUBCONTRACTORS TO DO SOME OF THE WORK INSTEAD OF YOUR COMPANY?
CAN I VISIT PREVIOUS CLIENTS TO LOOK AT YOUR WORK FIRSTHAND?
CAN YOU DO THE WORK IN STAGES / PHASES IF I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD IT ALL AT ONE TIME? WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FIRST?
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CONTACT ROYAL LANDSCAPES REGARDING A LANDSCAPE PROJECT
IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE COMPLETED BY A DESIRED DATE?
ARE YOU LICENSED AND INSURED?


WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR  BUILDING A GOOD LANDSCAPE?*

(1) First a site analysis: which includes measurements, sun, shade, wind, drainage issues and our clients needs.

(2) Secondly, installation which includes a flowerbed preparation that is far superior than most in this business and separates us from others.

(3) Lastly, maintenance which is built on our flowerbed preparation and the impartation of knowledge about the plants and materials installed in your landscape.

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HOW DO I BUY A LANDSCAPE: THE RIGHT WAY?

(1) Select a qualified and experienced landscape designer or architect. A good designer or architect will charge for a consultation fee which is relative to the distance traveled, expenses incurred and the work to be done. He or she will also charge for the design plan according to the complexity and size of the project. At Royal Landscapes we offer 50% rebate of the design fee when our degreed landscape architect designs your project and 100% rebate of the design fee when our landscape designer designs your project. The only difference between the landscape designer and the landscape architect is that the architect completed a 4 year college course for landscape architecture and can stamp your design, whereas our landscape designer has some college and cannot stamp your design. However, both  have many years of  experience. About our landscape architect      About our landscape designer

(2) Next, you should initiate the design process.

(3) Then come to an agreement on a plan.

(4) Look over the proposal

(5)  Give the contract to the perspective landscape company. At Royal Landscapes we receive a 33% down payment, 33% at specified time during the project and the final 34% upon completion.

(6) A finally let the perspective landscape company start and complete your project.

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DO WE GIVE FREE ESTIMATES?

Before answering this question, let's first define "estimate." Webster says it is to "determine roughly" Most of the time when people ask do we give free estimates they want to know if we can design a landscape for free. However, our prices are based on complete accurate measurements, project plans and specifications. Furthermore without these it is impossible for us or anyone else to give you a significant price without a plan, and anything other wise is merely a guess! Doctors, lawyers and other professionals charge for their time and services therefore because of our education,  experience and professionalism  we charge for ours. So the usual answer is "no"

However, if you provide us with a complete, scaled drawing we may provide an estimate at no cost to you, but conditioned our consultation fee is paid, that you are truly interested in our company doing the work and that you are located in our service area.

Remember the old adages "You get what you pay for" and "Anything free isn't worth having".

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DO WE CHARGE FOR TRAVEL TIME?

Yes. It is priced in the consultation fee.

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THE AREA I WANT TO LANDSCAPE IS SMALL.
CAN I ASSUME THE DESIGN WORK WILL TAKE LESS TIME, AND THEREFORE COST LESS?

It depends on how complicated the area is. Sometimes small areas present complex problems.

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WHAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREA DO YOU SERVE?

All Of Houston and most of it's surrounding areas.

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WE DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE DESIGN PROCESS BEFORE COMPLETION.
DO WE STILL HAVE TO PAY DESIGN FEES EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE (OR NEED) A PLAN?

Yes.  But we understand there are instances when the project needs to be terminated (such as relocation, sale of home, etc). However, depending on where we are in the design process we may prorate some fees paid us and if terminated early  there may be just a little time and effort the designer put into the plan and therefore fees may returned accordingly and vise verse. However, regardless whether plan is produced or not the client agrees to pay for any time or expenses.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN WORK?
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

At Royal Landscapes we charge a flat fee based upon our initial analysis of your property. Which can include two revisions. Revisions are based on our initial analysis only. Any changes otherwise may incur additional fees. Normally revisions aren't necessary because we listen carefully to our clients.

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WHO OWNS THE PLANS, IDEAS, AND INFORMATION GENERATED DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS?

All plans, ideas, and information generated or discussed during the design process, whether written, oral, graphically represented, or electronically recorded or transmitted, are solely the property of Royal Landscapes. Until such time as all design fees are paid in full. Any use or implementation prior to payment in full is a breach of our agreement. Any publication, reproduction, installation or revision prior to payment in full is a violation of copyright laws and subject to prosecution. The landscape design and consultation services provided by Royal Landscapes are understood to be improvements to real property under Texas law, regardless of whether or not Royal Landscapes actually provides construction labor or materials to implement the plan.

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WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE YOUR PLAN - DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY YOUR FEE?

At Royal Landscapes, it is impossible to go through the entire design process and produce a plan that the customer does not like. The reason for this is that the design process cannot go forward without constant your. The preliminary drawings/plans produced during the design process are based on existing site conditions and information given to the designer by the client. The design process would never get beyond the preliminary plan stage without the approval of the client. The preliminary plan stage is where any remaining problems are resolved. The final plan is based on preliminary plans (modified, or not) which have been approved by the client.

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I WANT TO INSTALL THE LANDSCAPE MYSELF. WILL YOU DO THE DESIGN WORK?

Yes, we will charge you for the design, consultation fee and provide you with a scaled drawing, materials list. But generally, we believe that the best landscapes are designed and built by us because we are set up to manage your project from beginning to end.

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WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF A LANDSCAPE?

There is no such thing. And this question can't  be answered over the phone.

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WHY DO YOU COLLECT A RETAINER FOR DESIGN SERVICES?

We collect a retainer to cover the initial costs of our design services. We feel it represents a solid commitment to the design process on the part of the client, and this is necessary for success of the project. Furthermore, it shows that the client has confidence in us and our abilities, which is also important for success. If the retainer were ever to exceed the cost of the design fees, then the excess would be credited towards completion of the project, or returned to the client.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESIGN AND CONSULTATION?

DESIGN is an information gathering and problem solving "process" which is intended to culminate in a plan of attack for completing a project.

CONSULTATION is the act or process of giving expert or professional advice.

At Royal Landscapes, we normally rebate design fees when our crews complete a project. However, consultation fees are not rebated, because there is rarely any crew work associated with advice given outside of the design process.

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WHAT IF I LIKE THE PLAN, BUT INSTALLATION COSTS FAR EXCEED MY BUDGET,
DO I STILL OWE YOU FOR THE PLAN EVEN IF I'M NOT GOING TO USE IT?

This is virtually impossible because at our first meeting we ask for budget and design to it. However, there are times when a client has no clue of what the budget should be to get the landscape done, we then give them a budget. If this agreed too we then proceed further. Therefore yes you still owe for the plan and we would still receive compensation for our time and efforts.

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WHEN THE LANDSCAPE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, WILL I GET A FINISHED PLAN DRAWN ON PAPER?

We give you that before the work starts however, there are times when changes are made during the installation process usually there is no need for further revisions to the drawing.

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CAN I HIRE SUBCONTRACTORS TO DO SOME OF THE WORK INSTEAD OF YOUR COMPANY?

It depends. We have our own subcontractors, if needed, so we can control the overall quality of the project. However, there are times when we welcome a client's help and participation in the role of contractor. This might happen if the client has a previously established relationship with a particular subcontractor, or is for some reason in a better position than we are to coordinate the work of a subcontractor. Such instances are rare, but they do happen.

 Royal Landscapes is a design / build landscape company. We believe that the best landscapes are designed and built by the same responsible party. We think this continuity is important. Our entire company is set up to manage a project from beginning to end. But we will provide design-only services for people who want to complete the project themselves, or with the help of subcontractors.

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CAN I VISIT PREVIOUS CLIENTS TO LOOK AT YOUR WORK FIRSTHAND?

If, after thoroughly visiting our Internet web site and meeting with us at, you still need convincing that we are the landscape contractor for you, then we can arrange visits to some of our job sites.

However, our Internet web site have been carefully designed to make it easy for potential customers to evaluate our work without the need for lengthy and inconvenient field trips. The Internet and modern photography allow us to bring our jobs to you in your own home, or in the pleasant surroundings of our office.

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CAN YOU DO THE WORK IN STAGES / PHASES IF I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD IT ALL AT ONE TIME? WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FIRST?

Yes, but this does effect the overall cost of the project and you eligibility for the design rebate.

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CONTACT ROYAL LANDSCAPES REGARDING A LANDSCAPE PROJECT IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE COMPLETED BY A DESIRED DATE?

It is never too soon to begin the design process; the earlier, the better. The problem is not starting too early, it is starting too late. The design process takes time, It could take hours, weeks or months. If you would like work to begin in the spring, contact us the prior fall or early winter at the latest; if you would like work to begin in the fall, contact us the prior spring or early summer. If you contact us during the busy seasons (spring and fall), it may be difficult for us to give you immediate attention. Sometimes we can accommodate last minute projects, but it would be wise not to count on it.

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            Are you licensed and insured?

             Yes. We are licensed by the state of Texas and maintain a comprehensive liability insurance for your protection and ours.

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