skip to main content

Building a Home

landscape design, patios, pool/pool house ???

12 years ago

i'm trying to figure out what kind of person i need to be looking for. we'll need an exterior plan for plantings, additional patio spaces and a pool -with room for a pool house later on. i get the feeling this is more involved than the guys at the local nursery can handle. so am i looking for a landscape designer specifically? do they do pool designs as well? we'll have our architect draw up a plan for the pool house when we're ready, but for now i need to just leave space for it.

i'm not a garden/flower person at all, so very out of my element and completely overwhelmed. aside from the pool house, is this a one person job as far as planning? and how are such services billed? TIA!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

live_wire_oak
12 years ago
You need a landscape architect to design a master plan for the space. That will include the hardscaping, planting beds, pool, and any other features that you may want to incorporate. Once you have a master plan for the space, you can take your time implementing the different elements in phases. It's the master plan that keeps you on track with making everything work together with great flow.

Some LAs work for or in cooperation with a local landscaping company and some have their own independent office. You'll need a GC or other supervisory agent (like the LA) to accomplish coordinating the different aspects of the plan. An experienced landscape company can often provide the supervisory aspect as well as do the site grading, hardscape installation and any sod or other plant installation.
david_cary
12 years ago
Another option would be a pool guy. Around here there are about 5 companies and 2 have a person that calls themselves a pool designer. The rest will put in what you want and help a little with design.

The one I met with when considering a pool was very confident in his design abilities. He offered a service that cost about $3k where he designed the space and that included things you are asking about. This service was included in the pool price if he did your pool. He usually does a $50k pool but can go way up from there.

So you might just call some pool companies and ask what they offer.
Related Discussions
Pool landscape gurus...help with ugly pool fence!
Q
Comments (8)
If you like the view back there and aren't concerned with privacy across the back since there is plantings already doing some coverage, I would put wrought iron or something to that effect across the back. Tie it into a wood privacy fencing on the sidelot lines. We have wood fencing 6' high around the perimeter of our yard for privacy and then have the pool area split with a 4' wrought iron type fencing to give us a play area for the rug rat yet be able to view all the landscaping and pool section from either side. Personally I think a 4' wood fence would look odd. I can dig up some pictures if you are interested.
...See More
Looking for pool / deck area landscape designer only
Q
Comments (2)
Adam's a brilliant landscape designer in your area: https://clearstoryimaging.houzz.com/
...See More
Landscape design large backyard with pool area
Q
Comments (11)
It sounds like the area is a bit distant from the areas where people usually would be. I think it's best use might not be as a place to go, but simply for the development of an enhanced view. If you wanted it to go in that direction, you'd need to show it as part of a single, broad panoramic view so we could see how it appears from the area where it would most likely be seen. To do that, don't use the panoramic function of the camera as the resulting image would be too small. Instead, stand that the location where the view is the most important and capture a series of slightly overlapping, consecutive pictures that span the entire area from far left to far right, including the pool and patio (so we can see how everything fits together.)
...See More
Square up with house vs maximize space- pool and p-house design????
Q
Comments (3)
While I understand your designer’s wish to square off the pool house to be consistent with your actual house, I wouldn’t want to create dead space behind the pool house and lose space where you want it; I.e., between the pool and the pool house. Landscaping could soften the different angles of the two structures. I like the original plan much more.
...See More
athensmomof3
12 years ago
I think landscape architect or landscape designer is the way to go. The title isn't as important as the talent. Word of mouth is the best way to find someone. Also, with spring here (although it is COLD in Georgia this morning!), garden tours will be popping up. You might want to check out a few, or at least read about who designed what and zone in on what you want. Your architect may have a recommendation as well.

We talked to two people - one our architect recommended from Atlanta and one our local friends recommended. The architect recommended one wanted 14,000 for a master plan (large lot but we left most wooded), and the local guy 1500. Both are landscape architects with degrees from highly regarded landscape architecture schools. Needless to say, we went with the local guy and have been thrilled. He has done a great job so far (we wanted him on board to site the house and design the driveway and walkway before grading), and we will see but I think he gets what I want. We wouldn't have known about him if we didn't ask around!
athensmomof3
12 years ago
And yes the landscape architect will design and site the pool to take advantage of the site, axial views, etc.
kateskouros
Original Author
12 years ago
ok, thank you so much! i've never had a project anywhere near this scale to work with before so just figuring out how to put it all together is overwhelming. well, for me, it is!
musings
12 years ago
Echoing earlier posts, we hired a landscape architect to design the landscape, hardscape, pool, etc. We asked our architect and the builder we are considering for recommendations.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Tale of Two Pool Houses

By Becky Harris

Get Ideas for Your Own Dream House From Two Very Different Poolside Retreats

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 5 Modern Pavilions and Pool Houses

With glass walls and a streamlined sensibility that direct focus toward the view, minimalism can be a natural fit for outdoor structures

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 19 Spectacular Pools Near and Far

These incredible infinity pools, heavenly oceanside pools and luxurious lap pools around the world have unmatched allure. Take a dip

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Roll With Boulders for High Landscape Impact

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Go for big-league drama outdoors with oversize rocks in gardens, around pools and on patios

LANDSCAPE DESIGN New Ways to Design With Water

Go beyond 3-tiered fountains and faux waterfalls to discover water's architectural possibilities

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Modern Pool House Nestled in Downtown Philadelphia

By Annie Thornton

Homeowners redo an atrium with a pool to be a more pleasing and practical space

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Pool-Friendly Patio Materials

By Katherine Caviness

Get a pool patio to match your style at a price that doesn't leave you high and dry

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Make a Pond

By Mitchell Parker

You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. But you'll need this expert design wisdom

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Outdoor Lighting to Make Your Home and Landscape Glow

Let your home be a beacon at night with exterior lights for pathways, pools, trees and, of course, the front door

DREAM SPACES Step Inside a Luxurious Pool House and Spa

This Montana pool house takes inspiration from Japanese design and the beauty of its surroundings

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Does this tile and slab compete?

101

What splurges in square footage do you love about your home?

19

please help with designing ideas with siding and diff directions

20

Is this payment schedule OK?

5

What vanity countertop with this shower tile/vanity color?

5