Project Scheduling and Construction Completion
The goal of this page is to help you be aware of what goes into the completion of your project, and various “bumps in the road” we may encounter along the way. Some issues will be within our control, but others may not be. Please visit each tab to the right to learn a bit about the various aspects that affect timing of project completion.
Rest assured, we have decades of experience orchestrating and coordinating complex landscape designs, and we work hard to keep projects moving on a smooth timeline. SJLA has guided hundreds of projects to completion, overcoming countless obstacles along the way. All the months we spend now will bring you years of enjoyment. We look forward to taking this journey with you.
There are many decisions you will make during our work on your project. Project timing can be significantly affected when clients delay in getting back to us, for a variety of reasons. We ask that you make every effort to communicate with us promptly, and to let us know if any aspect of decision making is causing you to struggle. There is always a way forward and we are here to help.
It’s an exciting time in landscape architecture, with a huge surge in demand for landscape designs, especially swimming pools. This means everyone is very busy and schedules are filling up. Now more than ever we realize the value of our years of working relationships with good, quality contractors and pool builders. Demand is affecting their availability, timing and pricing. Our best advice is to start early, decide quickly, and execute contracts in a timely manner.
Most of our landscape design projects require the skills of a variety of specialized contractors, including masons, landscapers, fence installers, irrigation contractors, pool installers, plumbers, electricians, etc. At some stages of construction the various trades can work concurrently, but at other times their work needs to be sequential. Therefore, each sub-contractor’s timing can affect the others and the project as a whole. This is where project management, scheduling and communication become critical.
Some of our projects require the assistance or expertise of other allied professionals along the way. We work with architects, owner’s representatives, drainage and structural engineers, environmental consultants, soil scientists, arborists and occasionally lawyers. We are adept at coordinating teams from small as we guide our project to completion.
The availability of chosen materials for your project, and how long it may take to get them, can affect timing and progress as well. One recent example is the forest fires in California, which have impacted both the availability and price of lumber needed for framing, decks and fences. Another is how Covid has impacted supply chains. Materials and furnishing choices can add a significant “wow” factor to your project, so remember, special items are usually worth the wait.
Our projects vary greatly in scope and complexity, and no two are ever alike. A tremendous amount of juggling and coordination goes into guiding each project from start to finish. Landscape architecture reshapes the environment. Sometimes the earth presents unforeseen buried factors, such as ledge rock, ground water and buried debris. We can handle whatever nature throws our way, but want you to be aware there can occasionally be unwanted surprises under your yard.
Project delays sometimes come from the realm of surveys, inspections, permits and approvals. These delays from outside professionals and governing bodies are out of our control, but we are adept at navigating them. Surveys can be slow to come in and sometimes experience complications of their own. Each project requires multiple municipal inspections as construction progresses, and while inspectors are generally responsive, they do make their own schedules.
Depending on a project’s location and scope, it may require approvals and/or permits from a number of governing bodies, including Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, Building Departments, Coastal Zone Commissions, Wetlands Agencies and more. Most boards meet monthly, and it is not uncommon to be required to appear before them more than once. This process has been exacerbated by Covid, as municipal meetings now occur via Zoom. We have negotiated a myriad of municipal roadblocks, and though it may take time, we will successfully navigate yours as well.
In the Northeast, our seasons are unpredictable, and we are subject to significant storms. Our winters can range from mild to severe and sometimes extend well into spring. Heavy rain, snow and frozen ground all impact construction scheduling. Additionally, various aspects of construction, such as the curing of concrete and planting, require favorable weather conditions.