The link below contains the results of a search of this forum using the terms "working with architect". There were a lot of old threads on that topic and related topics that you can read through. There are certainly more that didn't turn up, try a search on "working with designer" as well.

Your questions are good ones. It depends on what your agreement is with the architect/designer, and how they like to do business. A design-build firm may charge you less for the design portion of your project, with the expectation that they will make a profit on the installation. Or they may not. They may also not particularly care to spend their time on a design they may not install, when they could be spending it on jobs they will install.

Having a design-only firm do your plans will mean the design belongs to you when it's done, and you can hire installers who are recommended by the designer as having good workmanship and business practices. You can also pay a designer a percentage of the installation cost to oversee the installation by others.

You'll need to do your homework, because the technical portion of the job (grading, drainage, legal issues, code requirements) is as important as the aesthetic, and it will be up to you to determine if your prospective designer is up to the task and on the same page.

Here is a link that might be useful: working with architect

Thanks for the speedy and helpful response! I'll definitely dive into the search you set up- I don't think I quite got the right combo of search terms during the time I've been poking around here for info.

But, I think your observation about the variety of ways in which design/build firms work is very helpful in and of itself. We certainly have a lot of homework ahead of us (we knew that going into the process!), and it's helpful to me to clarify this as an important issue for discussion with potential firms.

Karin

This is an excellent question. I'll start by saying that most of us in the landscape design industry tend to see things only from our own perspectives and our own limited experiences, so you are likely going to get responses that tell you that these people to this and those people do that. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending how you look at it, in any profession (landscape design, landscape architecture, design/build, landscape contractors, landscape maintenanace, ...) there is no standard operating procedure. It is as diverse as the people who make up each component of the industry. That good news is that there is someone out there that will do exactly what you want both in terms of procedure and product. The bad news is that it might take a lot of hunting and leg work to find someone that fits.

The key thing is not to get too locked down with the idea that you need only to look for someone who has the title of one of these. The truth is that this type of work is done both well and poorly by some folks in each of the described categories. You should strive for someone (or entity) that typically does what it is you are asking for (product and procedure) rather that someone who is reaching up to it or someone reaching down to it. You want your project to be typical. That means they are competent and capable and you are just as important as the next client.

You might find that many LA offices might view your job as less important by comparison to others that they typically do. Although they may be great at what they do, chances are that your project is not really what they do, so that would not make them great for you. You might find an LA that typically does little projects that are not as grand as yours. That would not be good either. If you look hard enough (or just get lucky) you might find an LA that does exactly what you are asking for.

Now you can substitute either "design/build" or "landscape designer" for LA in everything I just described and it is equally true. However, people exist under these titles in greater numbers giving you a larger pool to fish in.

The biggest pool is the design/build contractor. S/He is often the best value because the goal is not to make a living on designing, but to use design in order to get work. This means that it will often cost less for the design and that the design process can be much more straight forward and direct since they would rather get to the point of building than racking up design hours. The project is designed to work the strengths and profitability of that company which is great if you are familiar with their work and you trust in their "brand". However, your goals might diverge from theirs a bit.

The independent designer should be working for you rather than toward the goals of contractors. One problem here is that it is very difficult to know how capable the designer is at making a plan that does not leave too many variables to bidding contractors. A designer is simply someone who designs. Some have great and diverse experience both artistically, technically, graphically, and from a managerial angle. But some are people who just thought it would be cool to do landscape design. So, you really have to do your homework.

My opinion is that your best bet in terms of efficiency in finding someone is to search out landscape projects in your area that are very appealing to you on similar priced homes and find out who did the work (local, capability equals your taste, probably a similar budget). People are pretty easy to talk to if you see someone outside and complement their landscape. They'll talk (probably crediting themselves for the ideas). Gush on them and find out who built it. Chances are that it will be a design/build firm simply because there are more of them.

I hope this helps. Don't rule out any of them based on title. There are great capabilities in all of these.

I'm an LA, by the way.

V. interesting! We truly had locked ourselves into looking at LAs, rather than designers, given that we have what we at least consider to be daunting technical issues (see my post about the site- there's a slope to be dealt with, and drainage issues as well). I'm getting the idea from your post that we should rethink that.

(BTW- are the terms LA and design/build mutually exclusive? I guess I'd been thinking about looking for a design/build firm with a LA doing the 'design' part of it.)

We should definitely start doing some walks and drives to find examples of what we like- although I get the sense that many folks save their landscaping money, and efforts, for their back yards rather than their front (making a pass-by a more difficult way of gauging the work). But perhaps I shall find myself pleasantly surprised! And certainly if I do find that front yard aesthetic that pleases me- I will probably have hit the jackpot.

Karin

I'm an LD and agree with everything that LAAG says above. Which ever way you ultimately choose to go, make sure you check references and view finished work. If an LA/LD doesn't build, they have to be able to communicate with a contractor. Many states have restrictions on who can do what, so you should be aware of that also. In my practice, I write specifcations for projects going out for bid to different contractors so the estimates all come in having bid on the same exact things.

The best fit is someone who you can communicate with, who listens, who understands how YOU want to approach the installation and who can work within your budget.

You may be able to specify this with the firm of your choice. I am somewhere between an LD and an LA. The firm I work for does consult/design/build. However, we also do any piece thereof. Each of those services are paid for seperately. Once we complete a landscape masterplan (we charge between $1,400- $2,000 for it), the client owns it and can have the installation bid by whomever they wish. We will supply a bid to install as well.

Finally, I would see if you can assess if they are really excited about the work they do. I took a job with the firm I'm at because the owner has the same ethic I do. He could see we shared that commitment which is why he hired me. Not everyone really cares that much about each project- especially the smaller ones. The advice Laag gave about what projects are 'typical' is good advice. However, if the firm you hire are passionate about what they do, each project is exciting. Today I gave a master plan to a woman with a small home/lot and budget (she's going to self install most of it over time). Next week, I'm working on rennovating a multi-million dollar estate. I was just as excited about her project as I am about the 'big fish'. Find someone who's passionate about what they do, check out their references very carefully, and ask to be billed separately for each service and you'll find success.