A durable Sisters landscape starts with water availability, sun, wind, cold exposure, wildfire priorities, drainage and the way people use the property. Map existing trees, structures, utilities, access and snow storage before selecting plants or hardscape. Separate aesthetic planting from defensible-space maintenance and regulated construction. The finished scope should name plant quantities, irrigation zones, soil preparation, base materials, establishment care and the evidence used at handoff.
Require a measured site plan, existing vegetation and utility notes, water source and irrigation zones, defensible-space priorities, plant schedule, soil preparation, drainage, hardscape assembly, establishment care and maintenance duties. Verify the landscape contracting business through Oregon LCB and confirm project-specific review with the responsible local authority.
Record property edges, doors, decks, outbuildings, slopes, roof runoff, existing vegetation, overhead conductors and marked underground utilities. Identify well or septic components where present and preserve service access. Map snow storage and equipment routes so winter operations do not crush new plants or block drainage. A scaled plan gives every bidder the same quantities and exposes conflicts before excavation.
Identify source, flow, pressure and existing valves before choosing zones or emitters. Group plants by exposure and establishment need, and specify filters, pressure regulation, backflow protection where applicable, flushing points and winterization. Require an operating test and a zone map. A controller schedule should change with weather and plant maturity instead of repeating one summer setting throughout the year.
Deschutes County FireFree guidance focuses on reducing accumulations such as needles, brush, shrubs and limbs. Translate that into a property map rather than claiming any treatment makes a home fireproof. Identify roof and gutter debris, ladder fuels, combustible storage and access. State disposal quantities and the seasonal inspection tasks that keep vegetation from reconnecting after the installation crew leaves.
Use botanical names, installed sizes and allowed substitutions. Evaluate sun, wind, cold, soil drainage, water demand and browsing pressure, then place plants according to their mature width rather than the nursery container. Keep sight lines, paths, windows, utilities and maintenance access clear. A shorter coherent palette is easier to establish and maintain than a long list chosen only for first-season color.
Describe cultivation depth, imported material, grading tolerance and root-protection limits. State mulch type, depth and setback from trunks, siding and vents. For gravel or rock, define finished depth, containment and whether separation fabric is appropriate. Lines such as improve soil or add mulch hide different quantities and make proposals impossible to compare.
Paths, patios and edges need dimensions, excavation, compacted base, surface material, edge restraint, joints, slopes and transitions. Show where runoff goes and how existing doors, steps, cleanouts and valves remain accessible. Confirm whether grading, retaining, structures or other regulated work needs review before construction, and separate drainage correction from decorative finish work.
Oregon's Landscape Contractors Board licenses landscape contracting businesses and professionals and advises consumers to verify a license and use a written contract. Identify who performs irrigation, electrical, plumbing, tree, structural or concrete components and verify any additional credential required. Warranty responsibility should remain clear when planting, irrigation and hardscape are divided among firms.
Walk every zone, emitter, valve, drain, edge and route. Receive the plant list, controller schedule, zone map, care instructions, warranties and photographs of concealed irrigation. Confirm replacement conditions, adjustment visits and owner tasks. Final acceptance should follow correct quantities, stable grade, working irrigation, cleanup and a usable maintenance plan rather than installation-day appearance alone.
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Deschutes County publishes FireFree guidance and seasonal collection information for needles, brush, shrubs and limbs removed during defensible-space maintenance.
The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board licenses landscape businesses and professionals and provides a consumer license-verification path.
The City of Sisters states that Deschutes County administers building and specialty-code plan review, permits and inspections, while city land-use standards can still apply.
| Element | Incomplete description | Decision-ready record |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Assorted native plants | Botanical name, size, count and location |
| Irrigation | Drip system | Source, zones, components, test and winterization |
| Defensible space | Clean up brush | Zone map, quantities, disposal and maintenance cycle |
| Hardscape | Install path | Excavation, base, edge, drainage and restoration |
| Establishment | Water as needed | Schedule, visits, warranty and owner tasks |
Separate demolition, hauling, grading, soil, plants by count and size, irrigation by zone, hardscape by area, edging by length, fuel reduction, access protection, establishment care and return visits. Use unit rates only for genuinely concealed conditions with an approval limit. Compare the complete maintained result rather than a generic square-foot price.
Map water, utilities, drainage, snow storage, access, existing vegetation, wildfire priorities and intended use before selecting plants.
Use the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board consumer license lookup and confirm the legal business and work offered.
No. Defensible-space work can reduce fuel continuity and support maintenance, but it cannot eliminate wildfire risk.
Require source flow and pressure, zone design, components, routing, coverage test, controller schedule, winterization and concealed-route records.
Yes. Provide botanical names, installed sizes, quantities and substitution rules so the proposals describe comparable material.
Use a defined investigation, documented condition, unit rate or written approval threshold before extra excavation or imported material.
Test irrigation and drainage, count plants, inspect grade and edges, verify cleanup and receive care, warranty and zone records.
After contracted quantities, operation tests, establishment documents, cleanup and agreed punch-list work are complete.
Share property photographs, water information, maintenance goals and wildfire priorities so licensed businesses can compare one defined result.
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