The difference is the level of control that you have over it. Most of the posts above point out various elements that you have to accept. Interior or architectural design almost always has the option of changing the condition to suit your needs. Landscape design is much more about adapting to the conditions presented to you. The Architect or Interior Designer's hardest to deal with variable is the client. The client is just another one of those many variables to an LD. Would anyone agree with me that a typical trait of an architect is to have a very controlling personality? Those of you who have done landscape design on a project where the homeowner had an architect may have found that the architect expects you to do what (s)he wants despite what you or even the homeowner has in mind? If you think about it, it makes sense. The furniture does not fit in the plan - make the room bigger. Not enough light - add a window. Three person hot tub - bump out the wall three feet (and see a psychologist). In other words, (s)he can make anything work by manipulating the condition in which it has to fit. Contrast that to dealing with climate, soil, the building that the architect left you with (kidding, sort of), site specific micro climates or weather related conditions (ie, ocean winds), neighbor's play area at the property line 12'from the spa deck (if you are into three person hot tubs this is probably not a problem), a 60' shade tree just over the property line near your proposed pool, view of a coal plant, being surrounded by properties that all pitch into yours, ... I could go on forever. All of these conditions can be mitigated, but none of them can actually be changed. It takes a lot more understanding of variables in order to identify them and then to adapt to them. I'm not saying it is harder or takes more talent. I'm only saying that it is a very different way of thinking. Its not just an art media.

You may want to contact APLD for a member list. Word of mouth referals come from talking to people in your area who have recently had landscapes built that you like on homes similar in style and value to yours. You mentioned that you are in a rural area which would make one assume that there is not a lot of properties that would fit the description above. That really cuts down on the opportunity for word of mouth referal. Because of that limitation, I think you have the choice of trying to complicate the process, or to just dive in and speak directly with people offering these services in order to try to find one that you are comfortable with and is interested in your project. You will wind up doing that no matter how you determine who you will call. I'm suggesting that it might take less time and effort to start there given that most rural areas do not have a huge long list of LAs and LDs in the yellow pages. I would not discount those that do not advertise heavily. This is a business that requires a lot of time invested in a project before you actually get a signed contract to work - driving out to meet client, spending time discussing project, walk through the project, show portfolio and self promote, define the scope of work, and write up a proposal. Advertising heavily draws lots of dead leads which burn up a lot of time. Consequently, busier people tend to advertise less in order to avoid that wasted time. Word of mouth referals are much better to the designer because they tend to match the profile of the people who he already has done work for therefore having a much higher liklihood of getting the work. There are several things working against you that is going to limit the response to you. I'm not trying to rain on the parade, but only to point out how it is viewed from the other end of the phone line. 1. You are in a rural area - Often landscaping is a keep up with the Jonses thing. If the Jonses don't have much, the Smith's are not usually looking for much either. It also means more time invested in trying to get the work due to the distance. 2. You are going to implement the job over a longer period of time. That will deflate any design/build company because they translate that to mean that you don't want to spend any money on having them build it or you want to do some of it yourself. 3. A small budget to start with. - This combined with the above is going to make a prospective LD/LA think twice about taking the time to pursue the job. This is because they know they have to make their income on the design alone since there will be little opportunity to manage the project or sell materials. Designers learn very early on that when the budget is low people don't tend to spend a grand or two on a design. While it is not always true, it is not a productive segment of the market, so it is usually avoided. What a potential client sees to be an opportunity for a designer can also be seen as a high potential of a lot of time and effort invested in a low paying job with a very slim chance of getting it. What do you expect to pay for a Master Plan?

You find someone who will give you what you want. You might check your state's organization for landscape design and installation professionals. In Colorado, for example, it's the ALCC, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado. The organization has a list of members that may be posted online. That would be a starting point for you. You could also check ASLA, the Assocation of Landscape Architects. A landscape architect will likely be more expensive than a landscape designer. But if your project is relatively simple with no major drainage issues or tall retaining walls, a landscape design and build company could probably handle your project.

hi, nice website. It doesn't look like you provide actual landscape design or construction- just ideas. Am I correct?