Landscape Design for the Coastal Carolinas
Spaces That Bring Life Outdoors
Outdoor spaces feel different when they’re shaped with intention. Our landscape design process blends creativity and technical insight to create environments that feel welcoming and ready for coastal living. Your plan includes everything from master planning and planting design to drainage, materials, and 3D visuals so you can move forward with confidence.
A Design Approach Rooted in Understanding
Every property in the Coastal Carolinas is unique: its sun patterns, soil, slope, salt air, drainage, views, and daily rhythms. We begin by listening closely and studying the site so your landscape feels connected to your home and the coastal environment around it.
Site Analysis That Sets the Stage
We evaluate how water moves across your property, where shade falls, how spaces are entered and used, and which plants will thrive in coastal conditions. This creates a design that is both beautiful and practical from day one.
Master Plans With Long-Term Vision
Your custom master plan organizes patios, walkways, gardens, lighting, and structural features into one cohesive vision. Whether you install everything now or phase the project over time, your plan keeps every step aligned and intentional.
Design Deliverables That Bring Your Vision to Life
Your landscape design package includes the key elements needed to clearly understand your space before construction begins.
Hardscape Layout
Detailed placement of patios, walkways, steps, fire features, outdoor kitchens, and gathering areas. Each decision supports comfort, flow, and everyday use.
Planting Design
Trees, shrubs, grasses, and seasonal layers selected for coastal resilience, privacy, color, and long-term health.
Grading & Drainage Planning
A plan for slopes, elevations, and stormwater behavior that prevents pooling and erosion and protects your investment.
Material Recommendations
Coastal-friendly options such as travertine, natural stone, bluestone, and a range of pavers—each chosen for durability and comfort.
3D Renderings
Photorealistic visuals that illustrate scale, structure, and function, making decisions easier before the first construction step.
Why Homeowners Choose Element
Because your home deserves a landscape shaped with purpose, care, and coastal insight.
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Design, drainage, planting, hardscape, lighting, and long-term care—handled under one trusted partner.
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We’re dream makers, not order takers. Expect fresh ideas, collaborative planning, and communication that keeps the process simple.
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Every layout, material, and planting is selected to perform in Wilmington’s climate.
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Master plans that support phased construction and long-term estate care.
A straightforward process that keeps your project moving with clarity and confidence.
Our Three-Step Design Experience
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Begin With a Consultation
We walk the property with you, learn how you live outdoors, conduct a site analysis, and outline the possibilities that fit your goals and investment level.
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Shape Your Custom Plan
Your designer develops a complete master plan with hardscape layouts, planting design, drainage guidance, material recommendations, and 3D renderings. Together, we refine every detail until it feels just right.
03
Build When You’re Ready
Your completed design becomes the roadmap for installation. Whether you build everything now or in phases, our team manages every aspect of the construction process from start to finish.
“the vision came to life and we are just so so pleased.”
“We have a tiny backyard but a big view of the Cape Fear River. Kaysa met with us and we described our vision for it as “field and stream with beautiful blooms”. She nailed it. With her design and the excellent work of Drew and others, the vision came to life and we are just so so pleased.”
— Cyn D. via Goolge
Questions Homeowners Ask Before Starting a Landscape Design
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A landscape design package includes a full master plan with hardscape layouts, planting design, drainage guidance, material recommendations, and 3D renderings. The plan documents placement for patios, walkways, steps, fire elements, outdoor kitchens, and gathering areas so every decision is settled on paper first. Photorealistic renderings show scale and structure before construction money is committed. The completed plan becomes the roadmap for installation, and it supports building all at once or in phases.
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Most landscape designs are completed in 3–5 weeks, depending on the scope of the project and the level of detail required.
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Design fees typically range from $1,500 to $4,500 and up, depending on property size, scope, and the level of detail the project requires. The fee covers concept plans, a detailed site review, planting design, hardscape layout, material recommendations, and custom 2D or 3D renderings. A larger estate property with phased construction requires more documentation than a single-area redesign, which is what drives the range. The design fee is separate from construction pricing, which is built from the completed plan.
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The landscape design process starts with a property walkthrough where your designer learns how you use the space, what you want to change, and what investment level fits the project. A site analysis follows, covering how water moves across the property, where shade falls, how spaces are entered, and which plants perform in coastal soil. Your designer then develops the master plan and refines it with you until the details are settled. Construction scheduling happens only after the design is approved.
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Absolutely. Your designer will create three investment tiers (A/B/C options) so you can choose what fits your priorities while still aligning with your long-term vision.
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Master plans are built to support phased construction, so the full vision is documented while the work happens on your timeline and budget. Each phase is planned against the master plan, which prevents the rework that happens when projects are designed one piece at a time. Utilities, drainage, and grading are accounted for up front so later phases connect cleanly to earlier ones. Many estate properties in Landfall and Figure Eight Island are built this way over several seasons.
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Element designs, builds, and maintains the same projects, which is different from a design-only firm that hands off a plan and steps away. Designs are drawn with in-house construction capability in mind, so what appears on the plan is what the crews are equipped to build. This also removes the common problem of a design that exceeds budget once contractors price it. Homeowners who already have a plan from another designer are welcome to bring it to Element for installation.
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Your project concludes with a final walkthrough, and you can continue working with Element’s estate maintenance team for proactive year-round care. Projects include a 90-day warranty, extended to a full year when you work with us for ongoing maintenance.
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Element prepares and manages required HOA submissions and handles permitting before construction begins. Neighborhoods with architectural review standards, including Landfall, have specific documentation requirements that the design package is built to satisfy. Handling submissions in-house keeps approval timelines aligned with the build schedule. Your designer stays involved through approval so revisions are made against the original plan.
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Yes. All materials and plantings are selected for salt tolerance, humidity, drainage performance, and long-term durability in the Coastal Carolinas.
Start Living Outdoors the Way You’ve Always Wanted
Your outdoor space should invite connection, comfort, and pride. You deserve a partner who understands coastal design, clear communication, and the value of doing things right. Let’s design a landscape that reflects the coastal lifestyle you love.