How do you find the right Landscape architect to do your design
I'm finally at the point where I want to hire an architect to design my landscape and wanted any suggestions anyone might have on finding the right one. What to look out for, thoughts on what it should cost, etc, etc.
I'm also wondering if there are other forums I could join to help me with the planning. My home is a 1/2 acre lot that is on a major slope.
Any thoughts or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
Well, you need to try to get a clear idea of what the scope of your project is and be prepared to communicate what that is when you start looking. I surely have no idea what you are looking for based on your decription and two seemingly random photos. I don't know whether you are looking for a garden design on that slope or a site plan on an estate. Be prepared.
The best way to get hooked up with the appropriate designer, in my opinion, is to look around for landscapes that YOU like in your area (local designer most likely familiar with appropriate plants, their availability, and regulatory issues), in neighborhoods of similar value properties (landscapes appropriately valued to your home),and on houses of a similar style (appropriate for your home). Hopefully, you know some of these folks, but if you don't, try to approach the homeowner, complement their landscape and ask who designed it (when they are outside, by knocking on the door, or by sending them a letter). Chances are pretty good you'll get a response and the homeowner is going to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the business experience they had, also (if they feel they got screwed, you'll hear about it). That pre-qualifies your designer pretty darn well.
Also, understand that this is a hugely diverse industry and your project is not necessarilly a good fit for all designers. Most have developed a niche and have a method of working that fits that niche. Most don't want to vary their approach. Some of those will be much more design work than you might need or some may be short of what you need.
Lastly, not all landscape designers are landscape architects. LAs are licensed professionals who have specific college degrees, interned with other licensed landscape architects, and passed a rigourous set of exams that have a lot to do with major site planning (exams have very little to do with planting plans). You may or may not have the need to pay for that skill set. There are many landscape designers out there with great skill sets who are not landscape architects. Some are self taught gardeners, others have landscape architecture degrees and did not complete the licensing process (expensive and time consuming - years), contractors who have been building well designed landscapes for years, and just about anyone else from little skill to high skills - there is no standard for landscape designers.
The best thing is a referal from a friend with a great landscape who really likes who worked with them whether it is an LA or other landscape designer.
I would not hire anyone who I did not feel comfortable with or did not seem to be listening and responding to me while discussing the project. Your designer should be forthcoming with some indications of what s/he would do and WHY in order for you to be comfortable moving forward.
I wish I could give you specifics, but it is too broad a field.
I'm finally at the point where I want to hire an architect to design my landscape and wanted any suggestions anyone might have on finding the right one. What to look out for, thoughts on what it should cost, etc, etc.
I'm also wondering if there are other forums I could join to help me with the planning. My home is a 1/2 acre lot that is on a major slope.
Any thoughts or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
Well, you need to try to get a clear idea of what the scope of your project is and be prepared to communicate what that is when you start looking. I surely have no idea what you are looking for based on your decription and two seemingly random photos. I don't know whether you are looking for a garden design on that slope or a site plan on an estate. Be prepared.
The best way to get hooked up with the appropriate designer, in my opinion, is to look around for landscapes that YOU like in your area (local designer most likely familiar with appropriate plants, their availability, and regulatory issues), in neighborhoods of similar value properties (landscapes appropriately valued to your home),and on houses of a similar style (appropriate for your home). Hopefully, you know some of these folks, but if you don't, try to approach the homeowner, complement their landscape and ask who designed it (when they are outside, by knocking on the door, or by sending them a letter). Chances are pretty good you'll get a response and the homeowner is going to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the business experience they had, also (if they feel they got screwed, you'll hear about it). That pre-qualifies your designer pretty darn well.
Also, understand that this is a hugely diverse industry and your project is not necessarilly a good fit for all designers. Most have developed a niche and have a method of working that fits that niche. Most don't want to vary their approach. Some of those will be much more design work than you might need or some may be short of what you need.
Lastly, not all landscape designers are landscape architects. LAs are licensed professionals who have specific college degrees, interned with other licensed landscape architects, and passed a rigourous set of exams that have a lot to do with major site planning (exams have very little to do with planting plans). You may or may not have the need to pay for that skill set. There are many landscape designers out there with great skill sets who are not landscape architects. Some are self taught gardeners, others have landscape architecture degrees and did not complete the licensing process (expensive and time consuming - years), contractors who have been building well designed landscapes for years, and just about anyone else from little skill to high skills - there is no standard for landscape designers.
The best thing is a referal from a friend with a great landscape who really likes who worked with them whether it is an LA or other landscape designer.
I would not hire anyone who I did not feel comfortable with or did not seem to be listening and responding to me while discussing the project. Your designer should be forthcoming with some indications of what s/he would do and WHY in order for you to be comfortable moving forward.
I wish I could give you specifics, but it is too broad a field.
Mike, can you elaborate on what other questions you may have that agla didn't answer for you? Coming behind such a thorough post, I'll wait to see what else you need.
Mike, can you elaborate on what other questions you may have that agla didn't answer for you? Coming behind such a thorough post, I'll wait to see what else you need.
Kinda like CSI Nothing but reruns
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Thanks for both responses. Agla's post gave me some good things to think about.
From Agla's message, my first question would be what is the difference between a garden design and a site plan on an estate? I think I'm looking for a garden design with estate like landscaping as well (Sorry if that doesnt make sense).
Maybe a little history might help.
I bought my fathers home last year which he paid to have landscaped about 25 years ago. He did not do any significant changes over that time and a lot of railroad ties were used for planters to hold the dirt back, the old ties are now starting to rot and shift. I believe he used a landscape designer back then for the design, so I think I have a decent design in place to work with. I'm looking to take what was done 25 years ago and upgrade it. I started to think that maybe I should hire someone to redo the design, and then take those plans and use them to upgrade a section at a time myself, as I’m able to afford it. I'm pretty good with my hands and have friends in the construction business.
My other thought was to just pick an area of the house and start to redo it and work my way around the house. I found a person I feel comfortable with to help me with the work, but I still don’t have a good idea of what materials to use, pavers vs slate, type of block for walls, types of plants. I was going to have him start moving the sprinklers next week and get ready to start building some retaining walls for the steps and planters, while I figure out what type of materials to use. The ideas and information is starting to come in pretty quickly as I’m starting to read the other threads and talk to people.
So what I was hoping to do was to post some pictures and a description of the area I'd like to start with and get peoples ideas and thoughts on what might look best. Or find someone that I could work with on line to help with getting it laid out. Either way I'm looking for suggestions on where to start.
Does this help? Let me know what you think I need or where I should go.
Why not do a google search for your area and find a landscape designer or architect ask for their portfolio and or look at their web sites tell them you need a landscape design and pay their fee you'll be more than happy with your end result.
None in this forum have the time or desire to do a design for free.
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How do I find out how much it should cost to get a landscape design in my area before I start calling and asking different people to come to my house? At this point I have no idea of what a design should cost, $5,000, $10,000 or more. Also, how much do you pay up front once you agree on a cost?
Any other insight on how to understand how much a design might cost would help as well. I don't mind paying the money I just would like to know that I'm not paying to much. I would even consider paying someone on-line on a retainer like basis to help me bounce ideas off of.
How much should it cost? Hard to say. It varies, not just region to region, but even between designers in the same town. Three main factors are going to drive the cost: scope and complexity of work, skillset of the designer, and whether you're working with someone expecting to make additional money assisting with the install. You say you're on a significant slope; that means that the most accurate and useful design starts with someone coming out and shooting grades across your area of work. Then, you need someone who understands those numbers, and can convert them into a useful construction document for you.
I think your best bet is going to be to call around locally for designers, if you want to see what it'll cost. Rule out the ones who don't do or haven't done much in the way of hardscape or wall design. If your first pic is pretty representational of what's going on, you don't want to pay good money for close enough. Your local stone or block yards may be a good place to start; ask them if they recommend anyone. Unless your local laws say otherwise, you don't necessarily NEED a licensed landscape architect, but you at least need a designer who understands construction, and knows at what point it's best to also turn to an engineer.
I'd hesitate to do a lot of online designing on this one. Slopes like this, especially working with and around existing conditions, you'll want boots on the ground.
Where are you located? The pics look a little far eastern San Diego County, but that might just be wishful thinking on my part
Scope of work is going to be the biggest deciding factor in cost. Most homeowners are looking for a Schematic Landscape Plan. That is not like a schematic wiring plan that is an abstraction, but more of a layout plan vs. a plan with construction details and specifications. It shows where things go on a plan to scale, plants, walks, driveways, retaining walls, pools, fences, .... and leaves you and your contractor up to figuring out exactly what materials to use and how to put it together. All you will be paying for is a plan, so the price is relatively affordable - some designers might do this for $500 while others might be $1,500 -$3,000 for a normal residential lot.
I'm assuming that this is what you are looking for.
The problem that you might run into with some landscape designers oor architects is that they often make the bulk of their money from project administration, so doing a schematic landscape plan takes them away from doing a plan that they will manage. Many will not want to do just a schematic plan because of that.
Start making phone calls. Many find that there is less of a commitment by email inquiries than phone calls. Better yet, show up at their office (if they don't work from home). Just ask if they do schematic or layout plans and see what they say.
PS. not everyone is going to know what you mean by "schematic", so just explain what you are wanting. Either they do it or they don't, but they might point you in the right direction.
The best advice i can give regarding this most crucial point of hiring a competent and committed designer is to ask friends for referrals. People in your area that have had work done that YOU like and are comfortable referring the company they had hired to do their work. That has been the best source of our company's expansion, and what has given people the most sense of ease in the sometimes stressful transition into work.
Once you have narrowed the list down set up a few appointments and have a face to face with the potential companies. These usually will help you to close the gap pretty quickly with who will fit your needs and who wont.
Portfolios, pictures and customer lists are also helpful tools to utilize.
Good idea to hire an architect to design, but it is better if you design it by your own right?.. It's your accomplishment if you did that, and you can see a lot of designs in some magazines..
I have seen many brain surgeries done on tv as well does that mean I will do one properly, or something easier yet I have seen many bobby flay dishes once I try to do them home following the recipe I'm 100% sure it doesn't taste the same, no offense but sometimes is better to stick at what you good at and let a professional do their job.
I'm not a landscape designer am a landscaper that hires a designer for my projects.
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"Any husband making shape and color decisions has to show written consent from wife" no exceptions
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