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Artful Landscape Designs in Old Lyme, CT
Inspired by Old Lyme's artistic spirit, Excellence Masonry and Contracting creates artful landscape designs. Let us design an outdoor space that is a work of art for your modern or classic home.
Our design and build model is a strategic process designed to maximize value and eliminate costly surprises. The "design" phase involves not just creating a beautiful concept, but also conducting a thorough site analysis, identifying potential challenges like drainage or grading issues, and developing a detailed plan with precise material specifications. This upfront investment in planning allows the "build" phase to be executed with extreme efficiency. Because our builders have been involved from the very beginning, there is no ambiguity or misinterpretation of the plans, resulting in a smoother workflow, strict budget adherence, a superior final product and overall a superior experience when doing an outdoor living, hardscape or renovation project.
Why Choose Us?
There are many construction, landscaping, outdoor living, and design companies to choose from- here is what makes us different.
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Our Approach is Thorough and Integrated – As a design-build firm, we eliminate the gap between planning and execution, ensuring every project or service is assessed and delivered with maximum efficiency and zero oversights.
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The Team We Have is Experienced and Robust – Backed by a 25-year family legacy and a crew with up to 50 years of expertise, our team of long-term employees and trusted partners provides a level of craftsmanship that only comes from decades in the field.
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Industry-Leading Warranties and a Client for Life Guarantee – We provide warranties that far exceed state minimums. Our "Client for Life" commitment means we intend to stand by you, and our work, well beyond one project or its warranty. Our goal is to build a relationship, and become a trusted resource for you, year after year. We remain open to address issues, answer questions, assist with maintenance, or repairs, no matter what. Our business is relationship based, not transactional.
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Transparency and Consistent Communication – We keep you in control through complete education and daily updates. From the first call to the final walkthrough, we ensure all costs, options, and timelines are fully transparent.
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Commitment to Professional Responsibility and Top-Quality – We take full ownership of project or service management so you don't have to. Our focus is on delivering the highest feasible standard within your budget, supported by premium partners and a high-performance process.
Our Process
Of course, every project, service and every situation is different, and so is our approach. Below is a general and simplified outline of our process. We can also bid and build to your preexisting plan or design.
1.
Discovery/Consultation
We start with a consultation to understand your project’s intent and assess your property’s potential. We discuss the benefits of our single-point responsibility model and determine if a design agreement or a direct quote is the best path forward. Preliminary considerations for ROI and site flow are discussed.
2.
Design / Planning
During this phase, we value-engineer your project from the ground up. Our design-build team establishes the scope of work, project pricing, and a master construction plan. This integrated approach ensures that the engineering and aesthetics are locked in before construction begins, preventing mid-project changes and ensuring a high-performance result.
3.
Construction / Service
This is when the master plan comes to life! Our multi-trade team manages every phase—from excavation and masonry to finish carpentry and planting—with total precision. Expect a stress-free, efficient construction experience due to our unified design and planning process and consistent communication across all trades.
What does 'design-build' mean?
Design-build is a streamlined project delivery method where one company handles both the design and construction phases. This creates a single point of responsibility, fostering better communication, unified workflow, and more efficient project execution from start to finish.
FAQ's
What are the benefits of a professional landscape design?
A professional design ensures your new outdoor space is cohesive, functional, and beautiful. It helps you visualize the final product, maximizes your property's potential, avoids costly mistakes, and ensures all elements work together in harmony.
Do you use 3D modeling in your designs?
Yes, we utilize 3D design software to create realistic renderings of your project. This allows you to see exactly what your new patio, outdoor kitchen, or complete landscape will look like from every angle before construction even begins.
What is your typical design process like?
Our process begins with an in-depth consultation to understand your vision, needs, and budget. We then create initial concepts and 3D models. We'll work with you to revise the design until it's perfect before creating the final construction plans.
Can you design a project that fits my budget?
Absolutely. A key part of the design process is establishing a budget. We can then make recommendations on materials, scope, and phasing to ensure the final design aligns with your financial goals, preventing surprises during construction.
4.
Walk-Thru, Clean-Up & Maintain
After the project is completed, we perform a comprehensive walk-through of the entire estate. We’ll go over maintenance information for all new systems and confirm that the project exceeds your expectations. This ensures your new high-end environment is ready for immediate enjoyment and provides permanent value.
Testimonials
What are the benefits of a professional landscape design?
A professional design ensures your new outdoor space is cohesive, functional, and beautiful. It helps you visualize the final product, maximizes your property's potential, avoids costly mistakes, and ensures all elements work together in harmony.
Can you design a project that fits my budget?
Absolutely. A key part of the design process is establishing a budget. We can then make recommendations on materials, scope, and phasing to ensure the final design aligns with your financial goals, preventing surprises during construction.
Do you use 3D modeling in your designs?
Yes, we utilize 3D design software to create realistic renderings of your project. This allows you to see exactly what your new patio, outdoor kitchen, or complete landscape will look like from every angle before construction even begins.
What is your typical design process like?
Our process begins with an in-depth consultation to understand your vision, needs, and budget. We then create initial concepts and 3D models. We'll work with you to revise the design until it's perfect before creating the final construction plans.
What does 'design-build' mean?
Design-build is a streamlined project delivery method where one company handles both the design and construction phases. This creates a single point of responsibility, fostering better communication, unified workflow, and more efficient project execution from start to finish.