Mapping & CAD Services
A logical first step in preparing a landscape plan is to draw a base map. A base map is an accurate two-dimensional representation of the existing landscape, scaled to fit standard paper sizes, showing pertinent house dimensions and distance relationships to all significant constructed and natural features. A base map can be drawn by hand but CAD software provides superior accuracy, speed, error correction, and portability.
The base map typically includes the outline or footprint of the residence including the location of doors, windows (height above the ground), external utilities (electric meter, gas, etc), septic systems, existing irrigation, lighting systems. In short, anything that would affect the location of any new landscape feature. The property boundaries are often defined by legal definition or quarter section maps and available online from county planning resources, allowing extremely accurate placement on the base map prior to on-site measurements. If site analysis reveals building setback or any environmental restrictions, these are also noted on the base map. If appropriate online resources are available, the base map also includes elevation contours at 5 foot intervals.
The typical base map scale is 1:4 (1 inch on drawing = 4 feet) or 1:8 (1 inch on drawing = 8 feet) depending on the size of the site, or the largest scale site drawing that will fit onto a standard D-size or E-size sheet (or within 3 foot paper roll width by any length). The finished drawing is output to a PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format) file which enables a quick email review by the client as well as print capability to the nearest (or least expensive) online print center. The finished CAD base map can be exported to AutoCAD (multiple versions) or a 'portable' file for import into other software applications for completion by the professional landscape designer employed by the landscape construction company planning the installation.
City lot
Estate size property
Country lot
