Who Can I Hire to Plan My Landscape?

Planning a lush landscape is not an easy task, even if you have creative flair. It is a marriage of style and science. You may have to combat issues like an awkward slope and poor drainage, but do not worry. Hiring a landscape designer can make all the difference. This guide will show you who to hire to plan your landscape.

Benefits of Hiring a Landscape Designer

Landscape designers are the creative force behind styling outdoor spaces. Think of them as an interior designer, but for your yard. Their skills go deeper than just knowing what looks good. Here are some reasons to consider hiring a landscape designer to plan your landscape.

• They do high-quality work: A landscape designer can help you create a backyard that looks like something straight out of a magazine, whether you are looking for unique greenhouse ideas or planning a perennial garden.

• They have lots of expertise: Landscape designers are experts at which plants work best in your hardiness zone. They can help you craft a space that looks great year-round.

• They can avoid common landscape mistakes: DIY landscaping can lead to certain issues. For example, an improper slope can cause basement flooding. You need to keep drainage in mind and, in some cases, possibly regrade your yard. A landscape designer will understand any potential issues and solve them before they become bigger problems.

• They can handle unique challenges: Landscape designers can tackle things like making the most of a small yard or working with an awkwardly shaped patio.

• They offer creative solutions: Landscape designers are visionaries who can offer interesting solutions. For example, they can use landscaping to hide a transformer box or create a rock garden that helps prevent flooding.

• They can oversee a renovation: Many (but not all) landscape designers will oversee a full renovation from start to finish, hiring the contractors needed to complete the job.

Can I DIY Landscape Design?

Many homeowners choose to do their own landscape design, from making their own mulch to designing the flower beds that will use that mulch. This requires creativity and an understanding of how different plants bloom in your hardiness zone, not to mention hours of hard work.

That said, you may still want to hire a landscape designer if you lack a clear vision, face unique challenges to work around, or have a larger project that is difficult to manage.

Can I Hire a Landscape Architect to Plan My Landscape?

It is important to look at the scope of your project when determining whether you should hire a landscape architect vs. landscape designer. Landscape architects have a state license and higher education, but they also come at a higher price. They are best suited for projects that require more expertise, such as:

• Landscape designs that involve building permanent structures

• Regrading a yard or solving complicated drainage issues

• Full-fledged landscape overhauls

• Certain hardscaping projects

You can typically use a landscape designer for smaller residential projects, like installing landscape curbing or planting flowers in mulch. Sometimes your landscape designer will bring in a landscape architect if an issue arises and they need more expertise. 

How Do Landscape Designers Plan a Landscape?

Once you hire a local landscape designer, the collaboration begins. They will examine your space and talk to you about your inspiration and must-haves. They will explain different landscape possibilities (think flower bed ideas, walkways, pergolas, and fencing), as well as any potential issues. 

After the initial consultation, your landscape designer will send you a draft of the design (typically made with some sort of CAD software). If they need to, they may bring in a landscape architect. Then, they will collaborate with you to finalize the design. 

When the design is finished, some landscape designers will give you referrals for different contractors that you can hire to finish the job. Others will source materials, hire the contractors, and oversee the job until it is finished.