More detailed than the Conceptual Drawing
Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture’s Preliminary Drawing 1 shows more detail than the Conceptual Drawing and your ideas have been settled regarding the site’s layout.2 If we have not already discussed them by this time in the design process, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture wants to know your choices of materials and quantities; because that will affect your budget. Which do you prefer, quality, low cost or some intermediate alternative?
More sheets of drawings are likely to be included in the Preliminary Drawing, such as: Construction Layout Plan, Irrigation Plan, Lighting Plan or Planting Plan. But you are not limited to these optional drawings. It depends on the extent of work you want done.3 These drawings will lack some details and specifications about methods of construction or products to be used, et cetera. This, as in the Conceptual Drawing, is to prevent having to constrain choices you may want to make later in the funding and installation segments of the project.
The Preliminary Drawings are more specific than Conceptual Drawings, but less specific than Permit/Working Drawings.
Your choices matter. With Preliminary Drawings, you may negotiate with bidders to select specific products’ models or a contractor’s methods of installation at your site. That is, unless local regulations or the design review agencies have required specific products, models or installation methods on the approved set of plans. If the approved plans include a specific product, model, or installation method, then that is what your contractors bid upon and install. So you will want to make some choices before submitting the plans for approval.
Your cost estimates will be more reliable if each bidder specifies what is included in their estimate of the work to be done. If contractors want an alternate product, brand or installation method, but do not tell you that information; then the burden is on you to recognize what you are getting. Inspectors may not approve the installation work or product, if it varies too much from what is drawn or specified on the approved plans. So let us know your choices before submitting Preliminary Drawings for approval.
Commissioning the Preliminary Drawing, but choosing to forego the Permit/Working Drawings approval process is a double-edged sword, in that:
- Preliminary Drawings may not tie down some materials and workmanship specifics that review boards require, in which case Permit/Working Drawings may have to be drawn up anyway.
- Bypassing the next design phase (Permit/Working Drawings) may hinder your ability to accurately decide which contractor to hire. Contractors’ bids may appear the same, but utilize a different quality of products or installation methods.
Upon your acceptance,4 the Preliminary Drawings can be submitted to agencies such as homeowners associations (HOAs), county or municipal planning departments for review. Sometimes more than one agency reviews them. These design review professionals will then:
- Accept the plans as drawn;
- Accept them with specific changes;
- Request product or installation detail drawings;
- Request product or installation specifications;
- Request the specific product brand names or;
- The design review agents may reject the plans;
- Or they may request some combination of the above.
One change of Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture’s drawings in response to the review board’s written orders is included. We suggest that plan review be concluded before plans are distributed for bids.
Not all projects require the issuance of permits from governmental authorities, but many, if not most do. And substantial penalties may be imposed for ignoring permit requirements. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture recommends hiring licensed contractors to do your work.
Once the design review agency, board or department has been satisfied, the stamped, approved, Preliminary Drawings become Permit/Working Drawings. These are to be kept in a safe place and made available for inspectors at the jobsite. Copies of the approved plans can then be given to contractors or others, and you can:
- Get bids or estimates,
- Select your contractor(s) and
- Get ready to begin construction.
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Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture
P.O. Box 593
Long Beach, CA 90801-0593
562-513-3208
© 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 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 price quotes. Contractors and installers must become familiar with the site before taking on the work. ↩︎
- 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. ↩︎
- One change of the drawing or overall plan is generally included at no extra charge in the contract sum. Subsequent changes will be at our current hourly rate, and will be noted on our contract agreement. ↩︎