I understand that many people do not have a lot of money and that client needs widely differ. My cost sheet is an à la carte model, where you only pay for the things you need and cost can be adjusted accordingly so it is affordable. I did this so a client is not billed unnecessarily.
I am a consultant and designer. I do not currently have a contractor license or crew so I cannot install landscapes. A client once asked me if I can install the design, and when I said no, she asked, “Well, what do you do then?” Even the best landscape contractor cannot do anything without a design from someone like me, a design consultant. I provide that design so a person can say, “Okay, I know what to do, where stuff goes, and what plants to buy. Let’s do this!”
You can have a consultation without a design (aka a map), but you cannot have a design without a consultation. Making a map design necessitates going to the property, making note of all features, and talking with you. Therefore, if you want a map, you will pay for a consultation and a design.
Payment can be made in cash, check, or money order.
Traveling Expenses:
I work primarily in Bell County, Texas. Places further than 40 miles away from my house in Temple, TX incur travel expenses at $0.50 per mile. This fee is charged for all consultations, site assessments, and map delivery outside of my zone.
Consultation Services:
There are three different consultation services: the “Starbucks”, Pre-purchase site assessment, and the On-site consultation for existing land or structures.
“Starbucks” Consultation:
This is just about what it sounds like. I would call it a "phone consultation," but I prefer to meet people in person. This is a general consultation where we meet at a place (not actually Starbucks, unless you want to) and talk about your property, your goals, and future possibilities. The cost is that you pay for my drink or my meal. That's it.
This consultation is a great, cheap way to determine if I am the permaculture or native plant designer that you want. I may not be the best fit for you. Being able to talk without any obligation can keep either of us from making mistakes.
Pre-purchase Site Assessment: $50 / hour
When searching for a new homestead, property, or farm, it is critical to know what to look for and what property might be best for your purposes. Think of this service as an inspection. I can identify potential problems or ways to turn a problem into an advantage, and give advice about opportunities the property might present (or not). This could possibly save you from a costly mistake. Some properties are more suited for different applications.
You can request a soil test during the assessment to determine how best to build your soil and whether the property is worth any potential costs such as lead remediation or toxic chemicals. The cost of a soil test varies ($10-$75 per sample depending on the complexity of the test) and is sent to the Texas A&M Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Lab. You can find more information about soil tests at the AgriLife Extension.
On-site Consultation for existing land or structures: $50 / hour
Please go to the Services page to see what categories I can consult on. It can be major or minor. A local landscape contractor often calls me for swale consultations on houses with erosion or drainage issues.
As stated previously, if you want a design, you must have an on-site consultation first. Consultations can last anywhere from 1 ½ to 3 hours.
Before the consultation, please do these two things:
1. provide me with a survey or plat of the property when I arrive (this is vital to knowing easements and any underground plumbing like gas or sewer lines)
2. provide me with your address so I can find the site on Google Maps and make a rough map that I can scribble freely on during the consultation
This is generally how the typical residential consultation works:
1. When I arrive at the site, I will walk the property and begin filling in the map with topography, wind directions, tree heights, existing vegetation and features, and other information I need. I will ask about plumbing lines and underground features (the survey or plat helps a lot). The more information I have about the property and about you, the more tailored and efficient I can make the design.
2. We will sit down and talk about your goals for the property and the plans you have envisioned for it. This will be more fruitful if you know what you want before I get there.
Many people look at this and are intimidated. It looks like a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of money. And it may be all that. But I encourage you to think like a permie. We try to put a 40-80 year succession model into 4-8 years. There is some investment. Trees cost money. Making swales costs time and money. Mulch costs money. However, like building a house, once it is made, the thing is made.
But unlike a house, it doesn't have to be built all at once (thank goodness). You can plant the fruit trees without the guild. You can have the garden without the chickens. Everything can be put in over time. Do not be afraid of the plan. It is the vision, the goal. Accomplishing it may take you three weeks or three years. Do what you are able as you are able. No one will judge you!
I am a consultant and designer. I do not currently have a contractor license or crew so I cannot install landscapes. A client once asked me if I can install the design, and when I said no, she asked, “Well, what do you do then?” Even the best landscape contractor cannot do anything without a design from someone like me, a design consultant. I provide that design so a person can say, “Okay, I know what to do, where stuff goes, and what plants to buy. Let’s do this!”
You can have a consultation without a design (aka a map), but you cannot have a design without a consultation. Making a map design necessitates going to the property, making note of all features, and talking with you. Therefore, if you want a map, you will pay for a consultation and a design.
Payment can be made in cash, check, or money order.
Traveling Expenses:
I work primarily in Bell County, Texas. Places further than 40 miles away from my house in Temple, TX incur travel expenses at $0.50 per mile. This fee is charged for all consultations, site assessments, and map delivery outside of my zone.
Consultation Services:
There are three different consultation services: the “Starbucks”, Pre-purchase site assessment, and the On-site consultation for existing land or structures.
“Starbucks” Consultation:
This is just about what it sounds like. I would call it a "phone consultation," but I prefer to meet people in person. This is a general consultation where we meet at a place (not actually Starbucks, unless you want to) and talk about your property, your goals, and future possibilities. The cost is that you pay for my drink or my meal. That's it.
This consultation is a great, cheap way to determine if I am the permaculture or native plant designer that you want. I may not be the best fit for you. Being able to talk without any obligation can keep either of us from making mistakes.
Pre-purchase Site Assessment: $50 / hour
When searching for a new homestead, property, or farm, it is critical to know what to look for and what property might be best for your purposes. Think of this service as an inspection. I can identify potential problems or ways to turn a problem into an advantage, and give advice about opportunities the property might present (or not). This could possibly save you from a costly mistake. Some properties are more suited for different applications.
You can request a soil test during the assessment to determine how best to build your soil and whether the property is worth any potential costs such as lead remediation or toxic chemicals. The cost of a soil test varies ($10-$75 per sample depending on the complexity of the test) and is sent to the Texas A&M Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Lab. You can find more information about soil tests at the AgriLife Extension.
On-site Consultation for existing land or structures: $50 / hour
Please go to the Services page to see what categories I can consult on. It can be major or minor. A local landscape contractor often calls me for swale consultations on houses with erosion or drainage issues.
As stated previously, if you want a design, you must have an on-site consultation first. Consultations can last anywhere from 1 ½ to 3 hours.
Before the consultation, please do these two things:
1. provide me with a survey or plat of the property when I arrive (this is vital to knowing easements and any underground plumbing like gas or sewer lines)
2. provide me with your address so I can find the site on Google Maps and make a rough map that I can scribble freely on during the consultation
This is generally how the typical residential consultation works:
1. When I arrive at the site, I will walk the property and begin filling in the map with topography, wind directions, tree heights, existing vegetation and features, and other information I need. I will ask about plumbing lines and underground features (the survey or plat helps a lot). The more information I have about the property and about you, the more tailored and efficient I can make the design.
2. We will sit down and talk about your goals for the property and the plans you have envisioned for it. This will be more fruitful if you know what you want before I get there.
Many people look at this and are intimidated. It looks like a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of money. And it may be all that. But I encourage you to think like a permie. We try to put a 40-80 year succession model into 4-8 years. There is some investment. Trees cost money. Making swales costs time and money. Mulch costs money. However, like building a house, once it is made, the thing is made.
But unlike a house, it doesn't have to be built all at once (thank goodness). You can plant the fruit trees without the guild. You can have the garden without the chickens. Everything can be put in over time. Do not be afraid of the plan. It is the vision, the goal. Accomplishing it may take you three weeks or three years. Do what you are able as you are able. No one will judge you!
Design and Mapping Services:
Most people who consult a permaculture designer want a design for their property, and therefore, need a map. I have included examples of digital maps I have made for clients and they generally reflect what you can expect from one of my designs. Residential designs less than two acres are mapped to be accurate to the foot. Larger acreage maps may have a larger scale.
When purchasing a design, you will receive the map and plant list. These two items are charged separately.
Base digital designs are created in Adobe Photoshop. The cost includes a physical printed map for your use.
Flat rate: $125 up to one acre, then $75 for each additional acre (discounts possible for large acreages; please email for a quote)
I retain the copyright for all maps and designs, digital or otherwise, and they cannot be duplicated, altered, or sold without my written consent. Designs cannot be used for any property except the property for which it was designed.
Plant List:
The plant list is a spreadsheet with all plants in the design, how many are needed, and their general locations in the design. It is a document so the installer knows what to purchase and where it goes. This is an important part of budgeting. Plants are grouped by category so the client can determine which plants are more vital to purchase at what time.
Base price is $45 with the items listed below added on to that price. Each cost is per acre. The cost is determined primarily by the time it takes me to choose plants, decide where they go, how many, and make the document with appropriate quantity, names, and growing information. This can often take quite a bit of time.
I reserve the right to increase or change these prices for particularly large and or time intensive projects. The cost reflects the time necessary to organize and plan the item. Things not on this list are at my discretion and will be discussed with the client.
Orchard/Food forest: $50-150
Native Texas garden: $30-150
Butterfly/bee/hummingbird garden: $30-150
Native pond plantings: $30-100
Medicinal herb garden: $30-150
Predatory insect or sacrificial garden: $30-75
Chicken or Goat food plantings: $30-150
Native Texas prairie: $30-$75
Native Texas wildflowers: $20-75
Native Texas evergreen garden: $50-175
Other Services:
Some clients request further documentation when it comes to installing or maintaining their property, such as installation phases, how to keep perennial garden beds, how to plant trees, or other things. I will be glad to type up such documents. The cost depends on how long it takes me to do it. A 2-page document on how to install the design over time may run $20-50. Since each document is different and every client different, I cannot give a specific cost for this service.
At this time, I do not have the team or contracting license to install the design. However, if after purchasing a design, you want me to overview aspects of installation such as swales, tree digging, etc, than I would be pleased to help you for $50 / hour. I would act as a landscape manager and ensure that the design is implemented well and according to your vision.
An Example:
Fred lives in a suburban house in Temple on ¼ of an acre. He wants a 2000 gallon koi pond, bee pollinator garden, raised bed vegetable garden with orchard, small buffalograss lawn for the kids, and passive solar to make his house more comfortable, with the rest being filled in with native Texas evergreen plants. He also wants a document detailing the phases of installation. He is within Bell County, so does not incur traveling fees.
On-site consultation (2 hours): $100
Map design for ¼ acre: $125
Plant lists for all components: $285
Base $45
Orchard $50
Pond $60 (it’s a big pond!)
Bee garden $30
Lawn $25
Passive solar $25
Evergreen garden $50
Installation and maintenance document: $40
Traveling fees: $0
Total for all services: $550
Most people who consult a permaculture designer want a design for their property, and therefore, need a map. I have included examples of digital maps I have made for clients and they generally reflect what you can expect from one of my designs. Residential designs less than two acres are mapped to be accurate to the foot. Larger acreage maps may have a larger scale.
When purchasing a design, you will receive the map and plant list. These two items are charged separately.
Base digital designs are created in Adobe Photoshop. The cost includes a physical printed map for your use.
Flat rate: $125 up to one acre, then $75 for each additional acre (discounts possible for large acreages; please email for a quote)
I retain the copyright for all maps and designs, digital or otherwise, and they cannot be duplicated, altered, or sold without my written consent. Designs cannot be used for any property except the property for which it was designed.
Plant List:
The plant list is a spreadsheet with all plants in the design, how many are needed, and their general locations in the design. It is a document so the installer knows what to purchase and where it goes. This is an important part of budgeting. Plants are grouped by category so the client can determine which plants are more vital to purchase at what time.
Base price is $45 with the items listed below added on to that price. Each cost is per acre. The cost is determined primarily by the time it takes me to choose plants, decide where they go, how many, and make the document with appropriate quantity, names, and growing information. This can often take quite a bit of time.
I reserve the right to increase or change these prices for particularly large and or time intensive projects. The cost reflects the time necessary to organize and plan the item. Things not on this list are at my discretion and will be discussed with the client.
Orchard/Food forest: $50-150
Native Texas garden: $30-150
Butterfly/bee/hummingbird garden: $30-150
Native pond plantings: $30-100
Medicinal herb garden: $30-150
Predatory insect or sacrificial garden: $30-75
Chicken or Goat food plantings: $30-150
Native Texas prairie: $30-$75
Native Texas wildflowers: $20-75
Native Texas evergreen garden: $50-175
Other Services:
Some clients request further documentation when it comes to installing or maintaining their property, such as installation phases, how to keep perennial garden beds, how to plant trees, or other things. I will be glad to type up such documents. The cost depends on how long it takes me to do it. A 2-page document on how to install the design over time may run $20-50. Since each document is different and every client different, I cannot give a specific cost for this service.
At this time, I do not have the team or contracting license to install the design. However, if after purchasing a design, you want me to overview aspects of installation such as swales, tree digging, etc, than I would be pleased to help you for $50 / hour. I would act as a landscape manager and ensure that the design is implemented well and according to your vision.
An Example:
Fred lives in a suburban house in Temple on ¼ of an acre. He wants a 2000 gallon koi pond, bee pollinator garden, raised bed vegetable garden with orchard, small buffalograss lawn for the kids, and passive solar to make his house more comfortable, with the rest being filled in with native Texas evergreen plants. He also wants a document detailing the phases of installation. He is within Bell County, so does not incur traveling fees.
On-site consultation (2 hours): $100
Map design for ¼ acre: $125
Plant lists for all components: $285
Base $45
Orchard $50
Pond $60 (it’s a big pond!)
Bee garden $30
Lawn $25
Passive solar $25
Evergreen garden $50
Installation and maintenance document: $40
Traveling fees: $0
Total for all services: $550