Davies- that is helpful. The first guy I contacted does have a degree in landscape design but his downfall is poor communication. I honestly can't find any landscape architects in my area but I will search again in the nearby big city. The other landscapers I have contacted are more like design-build small business landscaping company owners. I think they know more about hardscape/patio building than true landscape design. For the two who have yet to give me designs, I will bring up the issue up front and ask them what their design fee would be if I do not use their services.

I agree with Davies. It's essential that you obtain a competent design plan. Design is the "thinking through" portion of the landscape work performed by landscape architects and designers. LandscapERS -- those who construct and maintain landscapes -- are frequently tasked with performing design, especially in smaller markets where designers and architects might be scarce, but it can be hit or miss as to whether they actually understand design and are able to produce a well thought out product. Sometimes they beautifully execute a not very well thought out landscape! You will not get good design from someone who has no guaranty that he will get paid for his time, in spite of it sometimes being offered for "free". It will only be offered if the expense can be recouped in the fees charged for the actual landscape contracting work. Unless you're working with a design-build operation whose abilities you trust from the beginning, I think it's better to pay for landscape design services up front. Then, you can get competing bids from landscape contractors and be comparing apples to apples. It would not be doing anyone a disservice to obtain competing bids.

One way to find a designer whose work you'll appreciate is to observe landscapes wherever you go. When you see one that you like and have positive feelings about, inquire of the owner who did the design. It's usually possible to trace down the person if you're willing to do a little legwork. Or call those who advertise in your market and ask to see portfolio samples of their work. Many charge a fee for the initial consultation where they would explain the process, look over the possible project and show examples of their work.

@metro east: Dont take the following personally. What you have brought up is a very touchy topic among professionals and begs the question, should we charge design fees or charge for a proposal or not...

If the contractors did not tell you whether they charge for a design/proposal or not, that's their problem. Sometimes on a smaller job, charging a design fee doesn't make sense. Especially when they get wind that they are one of four people being asked to look at the job. Asking for a design fee while the 3 others are giving something away for free is a quick way to lose the job. Why would a homeowner pay for a design when they can "shop" different ideas? That's what happens from the homeowner's perspective and that is why the designer/contractor has to decide whether to charge a design fee. And yes, to an extent, the contractors may get a sense that they are being used. And if you feel a little guilty, then you are going about this the wrong way. Work with someone with whom you can respect and who deserves respect because they value their time by requiring a design fee. A design fee qualifies the prospect as being serious vs. a "tire kicker" who gets multiple bids and usually ends up with the cheapest proposal because they were too cheap to pay for a design to figure out what they want and what it should cost (this is not directed at you, but is a very common occurrence in the industry).

Charging a design fee is one way of qualifying the homeowner. If they have no intent of paying for a design fee because they don't think they need to because all they have to do is get enough people quoting the job, they will develop ideas about what they want and take ideas from each of the proposals. They will then end up with the guy who's price came in reasonable and then have them refine the design taking ideas from everyone else. When I get a feeling that is what the homeowner is doing, I realize that is not my preferred client and move on.

You want to work with someone who charges a design fee whether its a design only designer or a design-build company. Use the design process to figure out if the 10K budget is realistic. You can then use the design to compare apples to apples among the quotes, but don't shop based on price alone.

You might want to start the process over and begin with a search on Angies List or Houzz or just see who shows up on a Google search and see if they have any reviews. Are the two firms you are waiting for the designs good designers? if not, why pay them for a design especially if they are not asking for a fee up front.

Yardvaark and JSL -- very helpful. I agree with you. I just emailed a landscape architect in the nearby metro area. Called another last week but didn't hear back.

The two firms I am waiting on are just landscaping guys. They create drawings / designs as part of their work, but I don't know that they have any particular training or skill. One is still "working" on the design after our initial meeting. I wonder if I should let him know that I might instead start working with an architect. I hate to be wasting people's time.

I just don't live in that high end of a home, hence I never considered a landscape architect - sounds like something one would do if they live in a house about 2-5x the value of mine.

You might want a landscape designer instead of a landscape architect as they are more likely -- but not always -- to work with residential customers and they may charge less than a landscape architect (who has more landscape engineering training and an orientation to large scale projects.) Some LAs will work with your type project so look around and be open.

(Good comments, JSL.)

A 10K budget would not warrant paying the type of fees most landscape architects charge. That is why if they even do residential, they only get higher end jobs. Plus if your job is mostly softscape (plantings, grass, trees, gravel, flower beds, irrigation, drainage, etc.) vs. hardscape (patios, pavers, walls, fences, etc.) the designer should be strong in knowing their plants. Beware of contractors who say they can design but only use the same 10 plants in every job. I suggest asking them if they have a minimum fee. I think you should pay no more than $500 for a 10K job. Any more than that, you have to add the design fee as part of your overall budget. A $1000 design fee for a 10K job is out of line. It may only take the designer 4-5 hours to draw up a plan, show it to you and revise it. Even if they spent 10 hours, they would be making $100 per hour. It does not take that long to design a modest sized budget like 10K, especially if there are not that many components involved.

Bottom line is I think you will end up with a landscape designer rather than an architect. But who knows, there may be some hungry landscape architects out there willing to do it cheap but I doubt it. That is why ask there minimum up front and tell them your budget as well.

we try to add spice to each design. something special and something to bloom spring, summer, and fall.