--- title: "How Landscape Design Actually Works: What Happens Between the First Call and the First Plant | Southern Style Turf & Design" description: "Most homeowners don't know what a landscape design process actually involves. Here's what happens step by step — from the initial site visit to the installation plan — on a Lake Norman property." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "How Landscape Design Actually Works: What Happens Between the First Call and the First Plant", "description": "Most homeowners don't know what a landscape design process actually involves. 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— Lake Norman, NC", "caption": "French Drain vs Catch Basin: Which One Does Your Lake Norman Yard Need? — Lake Norman, NC", "description": "French Drain vs Catch Basin: Which One Does Your Lake Norman Yard Need? — Lake Norman, NC", "license": "https://southern-style-turf.com/contact", "acquireLicensePage": "https://southern-style-turf.com/contact", "creditText": "Southern Style Turf & Design", "creator": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Southern Style Turf & Design" }, "copyrightNotice": "Southern Style Turf & Design", "locationCreated": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Denver, NC", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Denver", "addressRegion": "NC", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 35.5271, "longitude": -81.0373 } }, "contentLocation": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Denver, NC", "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 35.5271, "longitude": -81.0373 } } } ] } ] --- [ ![Southern Style Turf & Design logo](/__l5e/assets-v1/e9a91494-4e27-4db4-b22b-719fec3bddae/southern-style-logo-mark.png) **Southern Style Turf**& Design · Lake Norman, NC ](/) [Services](/services) [Service area](/service-area/denver-nc) [Blog](/blog) [About](/about) [Contact](/contact) [704-460-2019](tel:7044602019) [Free estimate](/contact) [Services](/services) Service categories [Drainage solutions](/drainage-solutions-lake-norman-nc) [Hardscaping & patios](/hardscaping-lake-norman-nc) [Landscape design](/landscape-design-lake-norman-nc) [Retaining walls](/retaining-wall-contractor-lake-norman-nc) [Grading & excavation](/grading-excavation-lake-norman-nc) [Irrigation systems](/irrigation-systems-lake-norman-nc) Company [Blog](/blog) [About us](/about) [Contact](/contact) [Call 704-460-2019](tel:7044602019) [Get a free estimate](/contact) [Home](/)/ [Blog](/blog)/ Landscape Tips ![How Landscape Design Actually Works: What Happens Between the First Call and the First Plant — Lake Norman, NC](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/jyVUsE1p2Xtk161hx8YY/media/68f3abfffaf82be1c6d21785.jpeg) Lake Norman, NC • Denver • Mooresville • Cornelius Landscape Tips # How Landscape Design Actually Works: What Happens Between the First Call and the First Plant Most homeowners don't know what a landscape design process actually involves. Here's what happens step by step — from the initial site visit to the installation plan — on a Lake Norman property. By Josh Solano, Southern Style Turf & Design • October 12, 2026 • 5 min read [Call 704-460-2019](tel:7044602019) [Get free estimate](/contact) Licensed & Insured NC 80+ Five-Star Reviews Free Estimates BBB A-Rated Everything starts with someone who knows what they're looking at walking your property. During the assessment we're evaluating drainage, grade, soil conditions, sun and shade patterns, existing plant material worth keeping, and the relationship between the house, the property edges, and the spaces you want to create. We're also listening to what you're trying to accomplish — privacy, curb appeal, outdoor living, drainage correction, or some combination. ## Step 1 — Site Visit and Assessment A site visit that doesn't include a grade and drainage assessment is incomplete. On Lake Norman properties especially, knowing how water moves through the site determines what's possible and what order things need to happen in. ## Step 2 — Scope Definition After the assessment, we define what the project actually includes — what's in scope, what the sequencing looks like, and what we're recommending. This is where drainage and grade issues get identified as phase one work that needs to happen before planting or hardscape. It's also where we discuss phasing if the full scope is larger than the current budget. ## Step 3 — Written Proposal The written proposal shows line-item pricing for each component of the scope — not a single number for the whole job. You can see what each element costs, evaluate whether the priority order makes sense, and approve the phases you want to move forward with. The proposal is the basis for everything that follows — if it doesn't match what was discussed on the site visit, that's the time to address it. ## Step 4 — Plant Selection Plant selection happens after the site conditions are understood, not before. Species, size, and spacing are all site-specific — the same plant that thrives in a sunny, well-drained spot fails in a shaded clay bed 20 feet away. We select based on mature size, soil tolerance, sun exposure, and maintenance preference — not just what looks good at the nursery in spring. ## Step 5 — Installation Our own crew handles installation — no subcontractors. Site preparation, drainage rough-in (if applicable), hardscape installation (if applicable), soil amendment, planting, and mulch all happen in the right sequence. We walk the finished project with you before we leave. Schedule a free site visit — 704-460-2019. No obligation, no trip fee, throughout Lake Norman. ### Want this looked at on your property? We give free, no-pressure on-site estimates across Denver, Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Troutman. [Call 704-460-2019](tel:7044602019)[Schedule online](/contact) ### In this article - [Step 1 — Site Visit and Assessment](#s1) - [Step 2 — Scope Definition](#s2) - [Step 3 — Written Proposal](#s3) - [Step 4 — Plant Selection](#s4) - [Step 5 — Installation](#s5) ### Related services [Drainage Solutions →](/drainage-solutions-lake-norman-nc)[Retaining Walls →](/retaining-wall-contractor-lake-norman-nc)[Hardscaping →](/hardscaping-lake-norman-nc) Keep reading ## More Lake Norman Guides ![Why Lake Norman Properties Have Drainage Problems (And How to Fix Them) — Lake Norman, NC](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/jyVUsE1p2Xtk161hx8YY/media/68f3abfffaf82be1c6d21785.jpeg) Drainage Solutions ### [Why Lake Norman Properties Have Drainage Problems (And How to Fix Them)](/blog/drainage-problems-lake-norman-nc) October 20, 2025 5 min read ![Southern Style Turf & Design Joins the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association — Lake Norman, NC](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/t1XFXyDIHqnvQO2MlWxT/media/69949c8ed614c91d10f6616f.jpg) Company News ### [Southern Style Turf & Design Joins the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association](/blog/southern-style-turf-ncnla-member) September 3, 2026 3 min read ![French Drain vs Catch Basin: Which One Does Your Lake Norman Yard Need? — Lake Norman, NC](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/t1XFXyDIHqnvQO2MlWxT/media/6994abb85c22653b50e6110e.jpg) French Drain Installation ### [French Drain vs Catch Basin: Which One Does Your Lake Norman Yard Need?](/blog/french-drain-vs-catch-basin-lake-norman) October 27, 2025 4 min read [See all articles →](/blog) ## Still not sure what your yard needs? Tell us what's happening on your property and we'll tell you what will actually fix it. Free on-site estimate, no trip fee. [Call 704-460-2019](tel:7044602019) [Schedule online](/contact) Southern Style Turf & Design Professional landscaping, hardscaping, drainage, retaining walls, grading, and irrigation throughout Lake Norman, NC. Locally owned. Licensed and insured. 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