Try servicemagic.com. They qualify both parties and the professional pays for the opportunity to bid on your project. It has been a number of years since I have dealt with them but they only allow you access to a small number of pre-qualified professionals as too many bids is not the best thing either and a professional isn't going to pay them for an opportunity they sold to a thousand other people. They are/were very selective. I've known a few businesses and homeowners that they have sent away. They do check references. Too many proposals gets too confusing unless you know exactly what everything is and know that you're comparing apples to apples. Decide what you want and if someone says they can provide a different material/brand for less let the others have the opportunity to bid on the same. Some may have a good reason they didn't offer it. The best craftsmen in the world can't do anything about flimsy, poor quality or inherently ugly products. I have a whole list of products and materials that were never allowed on my projects no matter how popular or "in demand" they were. I warrantee my work and guaranteed garbage. Garbage in garbage out. It is what it is. If the manufacturer isn't going to stand behind their product and pay me to replace it when it fails why would I even consider it. If you do hire a landscape architect/designer by all means use their people as otherwise you have just wasted your money. I't not a conspiracy out to get you. It is a collection of professionals looking to minimize the hassles while trying to produce a quality experience and product. A good architect will usually have good tradespeople capable of getting the job done. No point in hiring someone who is going to redesign the project every step of the way. I would have to agree with laag for the most part about the finances. Dealing with others in the business is one thing but I don't know any worthwhile contractors who will deliver materials to a homeowner when they haven't been paid for in full. At the very least COD at the time they are delivered. Once they are on your property they are yours. Labor is a trickier subject and the least I've ever agreed to is to deposit the money for the entire balance into a joint account for the progress payments so that if their is a dispute along the line you know they haven't just spent the money elsewhere. Sometimes in business you take a hit and don't get paid for your work but it is worse when you actually have to pay to take the hit. Likewise on the homeowners side. Do not let anything be delivered without someone to inspect it and if it's not what you ordered let them keep it on the truck and move along. If something doesn't seem right during installation address it immediately. The person who came to the house to give the estimate often isn't the person doing the actual work. Daily progress inspections are very worth your while. good luck with your project.

I think it would be worth a call to see what OvS office charges for a residential planting plan. I can't image that they are that much more expensive than any other highly qualified designer who bills out in the $ 125 - 175 per hour range. All the firms ( small and large) are pretty competitive these days. I briefly perused your first post and thought you were looking for a planting plan only. If I'm mistaken, my apologies. If OvS is not a good fit for you then try looking at the ASLA website. American Society of Landscape Architects. Another option is a well respected landscape designer in your area. There is an association called APLD, Assc. of Profession Landscape Designers, but from my N. California experience of the local association , a fair portion of their members are new to the landscape industry ( 10 years or less) To be perfectly blunt, it takes many years of experience to really get a grasp on this field. That is why when you see designers highlighted in magazines and books they have usually put in a good 20 - 25 years of working experience. Even without a trained eye, one can usually tell the difference.

Hi There, Did you contact me already by email with the same question. Whether or not you did, the easiest thing is to put your email address on your information page so people can correspond with you personally. Or you can contact me trough my email, which is available here.I'm sorry but I don't remember exactly what the page is called and I'm always afraid I'll lose a post if I even toggle between pages. It's happened many times. Marie

Google landscape designers in your area. Visit their websites and view samples of their work. Collect pictures of your landscapes goals. Interview those who seem like a potential match for your project. Compare and decide. Also, drive through neighborhoods that already have landscapes that appeal to you. Find out from the property owners who did the design. You'll likely get a review without asking. (If you don't want to knock on strangers' doors, leave a note or send a letter with your email address or other contact information. Most people love compliments and would happily respond.)