Garden guides
The Yard Design Checklist
Use this free yard design checklist to organize your goals, measurements, and questions before you talk to a landscape design-build pro. It’s made for homeowners who want clearer next steps.
Start here: what this checklist helps you do
A good yard plan usually starts with clarity. This checklist helps you collect the details a landscape pro needs—so your conversations are specific, not vague.
Verdorra is a free matching and guide service. We don’t do landscaping work and we don’t provide engineering, drainage/grading, or other technical advice. We help you find a qualified landscape pro to talk with after you prepare.
Use this as a planning tool before you request a design. If you’re new to the area, ask about local rules, seasonal timing, and common yard challenges like soil type or sun exposure—those vary by region.
Gather your yard facts (before you choose designs)
Walk the yard with a notebook and phone. Write down what’s working now and what feels hard. Helpful notes: where water collects after rain, where it’s sunny, and where you need more shade or privacy.
If you can, collect a few basics:
- Dimensions you know (approximate is okay at first): lot size, patio/deck size, major pathways
- Sun patterns: morning vs. afternoon sun in problem areas
- Slope basics: is the yard mostly flat, or does it noticeably change elevation?
- Existing features: trees, fences, garden beds, driveways, walkways
Also think about access. How will someone reach the backyard with materials? Tight gates, slopes, and distance from the driveway can affect what’s practical.
For more planning guidance, explore yard planning tools and our guides.
Define your goals and “must-haves”
A landscape design often mixes different needs. Take 10–20 minutes to list your goals, then label each item as “must-have,” “nice-to-have,” or “only if budget allows.”
Examples of common goals (choose what matches your life):
- More usable outdoor living space (patio, seating, dining)
- Better privacy (fencing, screening plants)
- Easier maintenance (less weeding, simpler beds, improved layout)
- Safer paths (clear walkways, better lighting locations)
- More curb appeal (entry planting, updated edges)
If you have pets or kids, include that too. Where will they play? What areas should stay “low hassle”? If you entertain often, mention where people usually gather.
You can also use get-matched later—this checklist helps you describe your vision clearly to the pro you choose.
Understand the basics: hardscape vs. softscape, and irrigation types
When you talk to a landscape pro, you’ll hear a few common terms. Knowing what they mean can help you ask better questions.
Hardscape vs. softscape:
- Hardscape means the built elements—like patios, pavers, retaining walls, steps, walkways, and structures.
- Softscape means the living elements—like trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and turf.
Design-build means a single team handles design and construction together, which can help reduce back-and-forth. Still, always confirm exactly what’s included.
Drip irrigation (and other irrigation systems):
- Drip irrigation delivers water slowly at the root zone through tubing and emitters.
- A properly designed system can support healthy plants and reduce waste, but it depends on water pressure, soil, and local rules.
No matter what, ask the pro to explain what’s proposed in plain language and what the system will (and won’t) cover.
Plan for water, drainage, and soil—without guessing
Water is one of the most important parts of yard design. “Drainage” (how water moves and where it goes) and “grading” (how the ground slopes) affect patios, walkways, and plant health.
Because local conditions and rules vary, don’t rely on guesses. Before work starts, ask the pro how they will handle water movement in your specific yard. In many places, you may need permits, and you should arrange utility-locates before any digging.
A helpful way to prepare is to document what you’ve seen:
- Where water pools after rain
- Any areas where soil seems to wash out or erode
- Where downspouts discharge and where runoff flows
If the pro recommends changes related to grading or drainage, ask for a clear description of the approach. We’re not a contractor and we can’t provide engineering or drainage advice—but we encourage you to confirm scope and details in writing.
Create your “scope questions” for the landscape pro
When you meet a pro, you want consistent answers. Bring this checklist and ask questions that clarify what you’re buying and how decisions get made.
Consider asking:
- What’s included in the proposed design and in the construction scope?
- What measurements did you use, and what assumptions are you making?
- How do you handle changes if I decide to add something later?
- Will you include irrigation (if needed), soil amendments, edging, and cleanup?
- How do you protect existing structures and nearby plants during installation?
- What permits or inspections might be required in my city/county?
- How do you plan around scheduling (for example, seasonal planting windows)?
For any quotes or proposals, confirm the design and price in writing before work begins. Also verify license and insurance yourself.
If you’re comparing options and want a general sense of planning factors, review yard and landscape costs for educational context (not a quote).
Use this free checklist to prepare your yard goals, measurements, and questions so you can clearly compare design-build options and confirm scope, permits, and pricing in writing with a qualified pro.