FAQs

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to Hire a Landscape Architect?

When hiring a landscape architect, consider factors such as education, experience, creativity, and compatibility. Ask about their formal training and request samples of their work, which could be photos, plans from a portfolio, or references to installed designs.

Equally important is finding a landscape architect whose style and personality align with your project. Landscape design is a collaborative process, so trust and confidence are vital for a successful partnership.

How does the design process work?

The client's needs and the project's complexity will determine the design requirements. Most residential design projects include:

1. Initial Consultation: Meet with the architect or design consultant to review the project's requirements and objectives. Begin developing your requirements and objectives by filling out the design requirement checklist (link found on the resource page).

2. Concept Plan: After understanding your ideas and priorities, the architect analyzes the
site’s character, strengths, and issues, then develops alternative concept plans for review.

3. Master Plan: The final master plan includes a complete spatial layout for your outdoor living spaces and other hardscape or architectural concepts, reflecting your choices with the architect.

4. Planting Plan: This working drawing includes botanical names, container sizes, specific plant locations, and planting instructions for the contractor.

5. Additional Plan Documents: Depending on your project's scope, your design plans may also include a lighting plan, specialized guidelines on planting or irrigation, or notes and sketches on design elements such as water features or furniture and accessories placement.

6. Installation Assistance: Many landscape architects assist in soliciting and reviewing construction bids, referring contractors, or providing drawings only. Depending on the contract structure with your architecture firm, they may stay involved throughout the installation phase to advise on design modifications, material selections, and the purchase and placement of garden art and accessories.

I love the landscape shows on HGTV—will I have the same experience?

Yes and no. Some shows may mislead homeowners about the time and money the design and installation processes require. Design time and construction labor are not included in the installation costs revealed at the end of the show, and materials are often discounted or donated. Important installation components such as demolition, grading, and irrigation are often overlooked

Can an owner, contractor, or building official make changes to plans prepared by a landscape architect?

No. Changes or modifications to technical documents prepared by a registered professional may only be made by that professional or a professional meeting the criteria set forth by the relevant authorities.

Can a landscape architect prepare and stamp site plans that incorporate various site amenities and features?

Yes, a landscape architect may prepare and stamp plans or details that include garden pools, outdoor fountains, waterfalls, retaining walls, decorative walls, raised planters, fences, handicapped ramps, outdoor stairs/steps, play structures, pedestrian bridges, decks, gazebos, picnic shelters, trellises, patio covers, and other similar structures that are incidental and necessary to a project’s dominant purpose.