HOW TO HIRE A LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRO
You’ve decided you want to hire a professional to design your landscape, but how do you decide who to call? If it’s your first time hiring a design pro of any sort, it can be an especially daunting idea. There are many services available to help you get what you’re looking for, and knowing what you want can help you decide what you need. Here are some basic guidelines to think about when starting on the exciting process of finding the right fit!
THE DESIGN PROFESSION
Even if you haven’t worked with an architect, interior designer, or artisan before, the design process typically follows a familiar structure—starting with consultations, moving through planning and revisions, and ultimately arriving at a finalized vision. While this process might feel unfamiliar at first, experienced professionals are well-versed in guiding clients step-by-step, clearly explaining each phase, and answering questions along the way. Their goal is to ensure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident throughout the collaborative process.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE VS LANDSCAPE DESIGN
What’s the difference? From the client’s point of view, it boils down to what the company/individual can legally design for your landscape. A Landscape Architect has undergone a licensure process governed by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), which requires knowledge of local construction codes, laws and permitting, and grading and drainage sciences, among other things. Why does this matter? If your home is built on a hill, and you know you want a terraced patio or need major retaining walls, you almost definitely need a Landscape Architect. If you want to build a covered patio addition or sun-room off of your house, call a Landscape Architect. Want a complete in-ground swimming pool design that requires pulling permits? Do consider calling a Landscape Architect.
But what if your landscape requires no major earth-moving, retaining walls, or architectural structures? Many stunning landscapes are built without any of this, and if this is this case for you, hiring a Landscape Designer is also an option. Landscape Designers have not received the same formal training or undergone the same stringent licensing/testing requirements as Landscape Architects. With that being said, they may have similar degrees of work experience and educational backgrounds. A Landscape Designer can legally design landscapes with close-to-the-ground patios, low non-retaining walls and seat walls, fire features and fountains, irrigation, lighting, rockwork and planting design. Landscape Architects can also do this kind of work (and many enjoy it!) so don’t take them off your list. It just means that you have a larger pool of professionals to choose from!
So, now you can consider other factors when deciding who to hire. Reputation of course is key, and not just professional reputation! Referrals from friends or family are just as helpful when it comes to who you want to work with – who might “click” with you and your family. Portfolios and online galleries are also a great way to get a sense of the pro’s spectrum of styles. If you like something they have designed in the past, you already have something to talk about! Of course, it’s also important to consider the reality of costs- make sure that you are up-front about what works for you, and that you understand what is included in the design estimate (sometimes a higher estimate is more inclusive and might be worth it!) It’s also completely normal to talk to more than one professional. Weigh your options and then choose!
FIRST MEETING
When you first meet with a design pro, a lot of questions are going to come up. Every Architect or Designer is unique, so there’s no certain way to prepare for your first meeting. Some firms (including ours) ask you to fill out a questionnaire to get to know you, your landscape and your desired vision. If you’re still feeling uneasy about the process, below are some important items to consider during your interview process with your prospective design team.
To Consider:
Whether you’re interviewing a team or a one person operation, you’ll want to discern the level of attention you will receive and make sure that is a match for your wants/needs.
Do you have clarity on timelines, deliverables and fees? Does this person/firm feel like the right ‘fit’ to you?
Discuss that team’s meeting style. Are they in-person, online or a hybrid of both? What do they prefer, what do you prefer? (For example: Montgomery Robbins, Inc. offers both – but we always start the process with virtual meetings. Our clients are busy and we find this is often the preferable option for them.)
Stuck between a couple firms? Try This:
Open up each company’s website portfolio on the biggest device screen you have. Which company’s designs moves you the most? (While you’re doing this, don’t just assess if any given space is ‘your style’ – look deeper into the flow of the space and the integrity of the design. Which firm’s design flows best to you?)
For your part, feel free to ask anything. It’s important to understand as much as possible so that you can find the best match for you! We feel that listening and communicating are the most important parts of our job, along with a sense of humor of course! Remember that anything you want to ask us has probably been asked before. We do this a lot, after all!
Montgomery Robbins, Inc. began decades ago as a Landscape Design firm and worked our way over to Landscape Architecture. We now have multiple Landscape Architects on our team, and their experience and creativity shape our unique sites. If you’d like to talk to us about your landscape, contact our office here anytime.
Original Content by Sam Goldstein
