The Conceptual Drawing is an optional service Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture performs for you, after the initial consultation and information gathering has taken place. Your site will be measured and the ideas we discuss during the initial consultation will be drawn up and presented in the Conceptual Drawing.1 This is often just one sheet, unless the site is too large to fit on one sheet. It will appear as an additional fee on your contract.2
Conceptual Drawings are to serve as a starting point for further discussion and they are intentionally vague, to allow flexibility. We expect changes as you and others further refine the design and get back to us.3 This is to allow for the design review process to take place.
You, the client, will review the Conceptual Drawing first, to see that it meets expectations. Then Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture will make any desired alterations and begin the formal design review process. Local planners with jurisdiction over your community perform design review most often, but private homeowners associations (HOAs), do so as well. They generally have written guidelines available, and it saves time and money to have these in hand before Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture creates your design. This helps us meet guidelines for passage of your plan, but we submit to review boards because passage is not guaranteed.
Once they examine the Conceptual Drawing, the design review board can then let you know if your design is on the right track, needs some changes or has no chance of being approved. Then you can decide on your next course of action.
We will provide some options for most elements within the conceptual design. Any measurements on the drawing are likely to be only for the purposes of showing such things as known easements or the distance buildings are to be setback from property lines, etc. The overall placement and form of design features will be given in general terms, such as: “trees”, “shrubs” or “ground covers”; “seating”; “patio structure”; “fountain”; “BBQ”; “light”; or “wall”, etc., depending on the discussion of what you want.
For example, the Conceptual Drawing could include three options for the plant species of trees, shrubs and ground covers shown; or choices of each paving surface, pattern or other types of landscape elements, like water features, walls or fences. This allows for flexibility. Please mention any choices you have already made, regarding optional landscape elements during the consultation. We will place them on the Conceptual Drawing.
If you already have a Conceptual Drawing, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can make suggestions for compliance with common design review standards and help save you from an expensive remake of your design or installation.
If you have already submitted a Conceptual Drawing made by others, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can help you obtain the design review board’s approval of your plans. We will need the written guidelines and written feedback from your community planners or HOA.
We do not recommend it, but as a cost-cutting measure, Conceptual Drawings can be turned over to competing contractors for the purpose of giving you an idea of: What services and materials each contractor would provide; and the overall cost on each contractor’s bid. This requires that you are knowledgeable about comparing the materials and services different contractors would provide, based on the simple Conceptual Drawing. Ask us about assistance we can provide for you during the contractor selection process. We will give you a fixed estimate or an hourly rate for our services.
If you are comfortable with design decisions made during the initial consultation, or if you already have an approved Conceptual Drawing that has been done by yourself or others, then we can skip this conceptual phase of the design and go right to the Preliminary Drawing. We will need to know what choices you have made, with regard to the overall layout, the plants and the materials, etc.4
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Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture
P.O. Box 593
Long Beach, CA 90801-0593
562-513-3208
© Copyright 2025 by Robert P. Ladd, D.B.A. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture. All rights reserved. No part of this website shall be copied without expressed, written consent.
- Note that on large sites, sites with poor drainage or steep slopes, the services of a professional surveyor or civil engineer may be required. This is to avoid problems later, and is not included with the services we offer. However, we can offer referrals upon request. ↩︎
- Note that each contract agreement shall include specific wording required by the State of California, to protect your rights as a consumer. ↩︎
- Upon review by you, the client, one change of the drawing or overall plan is generally included at no extra charge in the contract sum. One change required by professional design review agents is included. Subsequent changes will be at our current hourly rate, and will be noted on our contract agreement. Upon request, we can include a “not to exceed $____” clause for a second change of plans in the contract, to give you an upper limit on the design cost. ↩︎
- Note that the services we ultimately perform for you will be spelled out in the contract between us. Contract sum depends upon which options are chosen. The information provided on this website is to give you an idea of what we can do for you. Some services are not needed, desired nor included in all projects. All plans are schematic in nature. Figures we give for areas or quantities are to help you obtain the optimal comparison between installation price quotes. Contractors and installers must become familiar with the site before taking on the work. ↩︎