Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re planning an outdoor renovation, you likely have questions about timelines, pricing, regulations, and how the process works. At Ed Ball Designs, we’ve compiled the most common questions we receive from homeowners across Northern Virginia—including McLean, Great Falls, Ashburn, Middleburg, Upperville, and beyond. Whether you’re in Fairfax County or Fauquier County, this guide will help you better understand what to expect when working with a professional landscape architect. From permitting advice to design-build tips, we’re here to make your landscaping journey stress-free and informed.
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General questions
What areas do you serve?
We proudly serve high-end residential properties across Northern Virginia, including McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, and surrounding parts of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. If you’re outside these areas but have a significant project in mind, feel free to get in touch—we’re happy to discuss whether we can accommodate your location.
Design phase
What is the first step in working with Ed Ball Designs?
We begin with a complimentary consultation to understand your vision, property, and goals. After the initial meeting, we prepare a Landscape Design Proposal over the next 4-6 weeks, outlining concepts, scope, and a preliminary budget.
What is included in the design process?
Our design phase includes 2D layout plans, 3D renderings, and a mood board tailored to your style and property. We present these over the course of three structured meetings to walk you through visuals, functionality, and material suggestions.
Is there a cost for the Landscape Design Proposal?
Yes, we charge a fee for the Landscape Design Proposal as it involves a lot of upfront work and creative and operational input. If you decide to proceed with construction of your project, we will take the LDP fee off the total cost of your project.
How do you capture site data?
We use state-of-the-art reality capture technology, including LIDAR and RTC360 scanners, to generate hyper-accurate base plans. This ensures our designs reflect the true dimensions and contours of your site.
Do I need to be home during the boundary survey or scan?
No—these scans can be conducted without you being home, although we’ll always notify you in advance.
How long does the design process take?
Depending on the scale of the project, the design process typically takes 2–3 weeks from when we receive all necessary documentation, including your plat.
What happens after I approve the design?
Once the design is approved and the proposal is signed, we request a deposit and move into scheduling your construction. You’ll receive weekly updates on project progress.
How do you handle changes during the project?
We’ll send any change orders for your review and approval. These are documented clearly and can be discussed during a call or in-person meeting.
How should I prepare for our meetings?
We’ll send your deliverables (proposals, plans, and visuals) 48 hours before your scheduled meeting via Dropbox. Reviewing them in advance allows us to make the best use of our time together.
How do I send my plat or other documents?
Please send scanned copies only (not photos) to ensure accuracy in our designs. Plats are typically found in your mortgage documents.
What if I have questions during the process?
You can reach out to your project coordinator or email us at team@edballdesigns.com. Our full team monitors this inbox to ensure you receive a timely response.
Construction phase
Who manages the construction process?
Our in-house team oversees the entire build—from permitting and material sourcing to scheduling and execution—ensuring seamless delivery from concept to completion.
How long does construction typically take?
Timelines vary by project complexity and season. A project manager will provide a clear schedule once the scope is confirmed and permitting is complete.
Will I receive updates during construction?
Yes. We provide regular progress updates—typically weekly—and multiple project visits each week in-person by Ed. We aim to keep transparency high and work closely with you throughout the entire construction process, so you have a close understanding of how your project is progressing.
How do you handle changes or unexpected issues during construction?
Any changes are communicated clearly via formal change orders. We’ll discuss options and ensure you approve any adjustments before proceeding.
What level of disruption should I expect during the build?
While construction will cause some disruption, we work to minimize impact. Our crews maintain a clean and respectful job site, and we communicate clearly about timelines and logistics.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed and insured for landscape architecture and construction in Northern Virginia.
Do you offer landscape maintenance after construction is complete?
Yes. We offer tailored maintenance packages exclusively for clients whose landscapes we’ve designed and built. These can include seasonal planting refreshes, plant health monitoring, irrigation checks, pruning, and system tune-ups to ensure your outdoor space matures beautifully and performs as intended. We’ll discuss options with you toward the end of construction, so you can choose the right level of ongoing care.
