Design your way to garden greatness
Hiring a landscape designer helps you create outdoor spaces that work for your family, whether you need a play area, patio, butterfly sanctuary, or relaxing spot.
Expect to pay around $4,500 for a landscape designer, and well-designed landscaping can boost your home's value by 1% to 10% when you sell.
Your landscape designer will prepare concept plans for your review, then provide final spatial layouts and detailed planting plans that include botanical names and locations.
Hiring a local landscape designing professional brings expertise to your outdoor space, helping you choose the right plants for your region and creating a thoughtful design.
Whether you’ve never had a green thumb or you’re simply looking for a professional’s knowledge to help you choose the best plants for your region, a landscape designer is an excellent way to maximize whatever outdoor space you have. They’ll thoughtfully consider the ways your family wants to use the space, from a children’s play area to a Monarch butterfly sanctuary.
Simply put, a landscape designer helps you both plan and design your garden, hardscape materials, and overall strategy for your outside space. Their expertise applies to whatever way you wish to use it, whether as a children’s play area, a patio for entertaining, a haven for migrating butterflies, or a spot to sit and birdwatch.
These pros might offer ideas not only for flowers, hedges, and other greenery, but will help you determine the best placement as well as lighting, water features, and hardscape options. They can advise on other details, like irrigation and hardscaping layout, but typically, a landscape designer does not hold a license for construction drawings.
There is no required formal education for landscape design work, and some landscape designers are self-taught. However, many do hold some kind of educational background in residential design. The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) has certifications for members, so you could ask any potential landscape designers you might hire if they are affiliated with APLD or have been certified with them.
Some designers simply design the space and hand you the plans at the end of their time working for you to pass on to a local landscape contractor. Other designers also include plant purchases and installation.
In addition, some designers will also maintain your landscaping for a determined amount of time. It’s important to ask the landscape designers you are considering what their package includes. The average cost to hire a landscape designer is $4,500.
There are many reasons to consider hiring a landscape designer to plan your outdoor areas. You might hire a landscape designer to:
Improve wildlife habitats and encourage native plants and animals to thrive.
Create a more sustainable space.
Enhance the “flow” of your yard, making it easier for people and pets to move around
Inspire your space if you just moved in, your yard is completely barren, and you’re drawing a blank on backyard design ideas.
Boost curb appeal before you sell; well-landscaped homes can be worth 1%–10% more than homes without professional landscaping.
Landscape designers will be able to address and handle all of these issues. They will know which parts of the design to contract out and to whom, which tools are best to use to complete the job, and how to create an outdoor space that creates harmony for you, your family, your pets, and the wildlife in your region.
The process of working with a landscape designer starts with you selecting a few to discuss your ideas work—a shortlist of possible hires, if you will. Select ones whose design examples match your aesthetic and have similar experiences to what you’re asking them to do.
During the first consultation, you will meet the designer and discuss your goals and aesthetic preferences for the space. Some designers will charge a small fee for the consultation, while others will do it free of charge. Make sure to come with questions for your landscape designer during the consultation, such as:
Which services does your package include?
Do you have references?
Can I see examples of past work?
What is your process like?
What are the payment terms?
How long do you think the project will take to complete?
How much maintenance will be required to keep my garden healthy?
After you hire a landscape designer, they will prepare a concept plan for you to review. This concept should be open to your feedback, edits, and suggestions.
After getting feedback on the concept, the landscape designer will present their final plan for your outdoor spaces, including a detailed spatial layout for the space.
This working drawing is for the contractor, but your designer should also review it with you. It will include all the to-be-planted plants, their botanical names, container sizes, locations, and any instructors.
If your designer is also suggesting lighting, water features, or other backyard components, they might submit additional plans for these designs, also meant for a contractor.
If the designer has their own team, they will bring them in to complete the installation. If not, they usually will help you review construction bids so you can hire with confidence.
Custom Paint Jobs LLC made our home feel like a piece of art. Thank you for your creativity!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWindow Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesAnother great success for me on home advisor. This company did an awesome job on my landscaping and stayed within my budget. The best part, the work was complete within 2 days of my initial request. Professional and responsive. I highly recommend!
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCThe company no showed on me twice. The 2nd time was no call no show. They were responsive to set up the first appointment to perform the "landscape cleanup". 3 hours after their initial scheduled appointment time they called me to let me know they had some "problem" with the truck and their...
Ruby Home and Hauling ServicesReceived ideas for future landscape plans...quote to do the work seemed a bit high but I did not have any other quotes to compare it to, so perhaps that is the going rates. <br />
Landscapes By Terra, IncAll around they have done a really great job. <br /> I have used JL Landscapes for the past 8 years. I own and operate my own commercial/residential real estate company where we own, operate, and maintain our own properties. JL Landscapes has been our exclusive landscaper for both our...
J.L. LandscapesBought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer LandscapingI left a message on Sunday requesting to schedule a time to obtain an estimate/walk-through and received a return call in the morning of the following Monday. Mark worked with me and agreed to schedule the estimate/walk-through for the following Saturday. When Mark arrived for the...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A landscape designer can elevate your outdoor space and bring your vision to life. Use this landscape design cost guide to budget for your next project.
Few things elevate your outdoor space like a landscape architect can. Learn about how much a landscape architect costs and what affects your total.
If you are looking to upgrade your yard, you will need a solid landscape design. This guide will show you who to hire to plan your landscape.
Hiring a landscape designer is all about finding an experienced pro who shares your vision. Learn where to find designers and what to do before hiring.
You've heard of landscape designers and landscape architects, but what's the difference? Here's when to hire each pro to bring new life to your landscape.
What is the name of someone who designs landscaping? A landscape architect creates stunning, functional outdoor spaces with expert design skills.
