Before you call
Questions we get asked first.
These are Archterra's own answers, the same ones a designer gives you on-site, gathered in one place instead of scattered across a first phone call. If your question isn't here, send us a message or call (253) 815-8365.
The essentials
What most people want to know before the first project conversation even starts.
A free, on-site consultation with a landscape designer to talk through your vision, your budget and the practical considerations of the property. From there we can establish scope and a realistic timeline.
Not always. The scope of work determines it. At the initial design consultation we establish which aspects of the project might require a permit and what those costs are, and Archterra handles submitting the applications for any permit the work needs.
Every project is unique and carries its own timeline. Once the size and scope are settled we can give you a guideline for the time required. The factors are design decisions, materials, permit requirements, site conditions and weather.
Lead times depend on the time of year. Through the spring and summer peak the lead times are longer. Winter is a good time to work through the design and planning phases so the build is ready to start when the weather turns.
A common misconception here is that all the rain makes irrigation unnecessary. We recommend it. The summer months dry out, and without a consistent watering schedule plants and grass go into distress and die.
It comes down to soil type, sunlight availability and moisture. Our designers and horticulture specialists recommend plants on size, shape, texture, growth habit and sun exposure, so the planting still looks right once it has matured.
Yes. Our full-service landscape management team offers ongoing maintenance plans for residential, multi-family and commercial properties year-round, so the same company that built the landscape keeps it.
Yes, closely with many of the top property management companies in the Pacific Northwest. Commercial, multifamily and large residential estates each get a dedicated account manager.
The greater Puget Sound region. Our landscape management division works across King and Pierce County, and we can discuss expanding that for the right property.
No. Our skilled, loyal and licensed crews work directly for us. That is what keeps the quality consistent from one project to the next, and it is why someone always answers the phone.
Design and build
More on how a project like landscape design and installation actually runs, from the first call to the finished grade.
The non-living elements built into a landscape to define a space: patios, masonry, concrete, pavers, stone walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, decks and pergolas.
By phone or through the contact form on this site. Either way, it starts a free consultation.
Clear communication from the initial vision through execution and follow-up maintenance, built for longevity and beauty rather than just for the day it's finished.
Yes. Outdoor living spaces, fire features, irrigation systems and rock work are all part of what our crews have built.
Archterra was founded in Washington State in 2005 and has worked as one of the Pacific Northwest's landscaping design and construction firms since.
Fireplaces and fire pits (gas and wood), outdoor kitchens, covered patios, water features such as ponds and rock waterfalls, and paver installation for paths, patios, decks and staircases.
Yes. Initial design and planning, hardscaping layout, construction and final installation, all handled in-house.
Irrigation and water
Beyond a new install, our irrigation team also services what's already in the ground.
Yes. Our trained irrigation technicians troubleshoot and repair systems for both commercial and residential properties, and we run annual start-up and winterization service.
Possibly, and we can help either way. Many cities do require it, and our irrigation team handles the testing.
It's the unwanted reversal of water into a clean water supply. Every irrigation system needs a backflow preventer so irrigation water carrying fertilizer, bacteria or pesticide can't work its way back into drinking water. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may need a permit and an annual inspection.
Commercial grounds management
For property managers weighing ongoing maintenance across a commercial or multifamily site.
Commercial, multifamily and large residential estates. Each property gets its own dedicated account manager rather than a rotating point of contact.
King and Pierce County. We're open to discussing a property outside that footprint on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. Our design and build division designs, installs and maintains rooftop gardens as part of its full-service work.
Complete landscape management: lawn and bed maintenance, shrub trimming, irrigation monitoring and repairs, cleaning hardscapes, and enhancement services, coordinated through your account manager.
Still have a question about your property?
The fastest answer is a free, no-obligation on-site consultation. Have a look at the full services list or send us the details directly.