I guess it's time for me to go beyond a general interest in LA and decide what it is I want to do. What stirred my interest and question was the combination of outdoors work, creative work, nature, environment, and the fact that getting into LA with an engineering/geology background might easier than switching to something else "creative" that didn't involve the science/engineering side of LA. As it turns out, I am really less interested in that part though. So maybe LA is not the degree for me or at least overkill. I have since talked to two local industry professionals which has been another eye opener. It seems, the two work at opposite ends of the spectrum. One designs high-end backyard paradises, deals with planting and design. The other has a workload that consists mostly of landscaping the space around his company's architecture projects, and deals with irrigation issues, city codes, turf grass, and sprinkler systems. The latter doesn't sound nearly as much fun as the former. It sounds too much like engineering. The guy was great, almost a life saver, provided a wealth of information, and yet I came away thinking maybe I am peering down the wrong alley here. Maybe I shouldn't try to pursue LA but continue gardening at home. Anyway, I got a number of leads for additional people to talk to, and I will see what they say. I could see myself working on residential projects and even for some municipal department. 99% of the cities I see are in dire need of landscaping and protecting those small and shrinking green interstices. Maybe my green passion for nature and environment would be better spent somewhere else rather than possibly having to go to work for a company that's "landscaping" urban sprawl. I don't mean to offend anyone. I just think much of urban USA is not a nice place to live. Is LA the field for someone wanting to make a difference here, or should I look into urban planning ? Anyone ? I'm confused.

I recently had a landscape design plan prepared by Tree House Studios. The owner is a landscape architect and the design was done professionally at a reasonable cost. I don't believe she actually does any install or hardscape work (we are doing the work ourselves) but I seem to recall that she can make those arrangements. I found her name in the local paper and took a chance on hiring her. I was pleased with the results and would definitely use her again. You can check out the webite at www.tree-housestudios.com

I agree with Marcinde and Gardengal.....I have been an independent designer for 20 yrs. Worked for years with a contractor like the one described. Made him lots of money but he never saw the value of what I brought to the table. No more. I now work with several wonderful, top-notch contractors who realize they are not designers (and don't want to be) and are glad to refer me to their potential clients. (and I to them!) I charge an initial 1 hour "consultation fee" to meet with the client, give my best advice and suggestions, and discuss how to best proceed. (Sometimes the contractor pays this....usually the client does.) If more time and further design fees are needed....the client pays. If the client then signs a contract with the landscaper to do the work, I receive a commission on the total project. This covers my additional time involved in the project....hand selecting plants with the client, spacing plants on site,making decisions about changes from the plan, looking for containers, holding clients hands etc. without my having to "nickel and dime" them every time I visit the job site or look for a special plant or pot. We work as a team.....designer, contractor and client. It has been a win-win for all of us. I LOVE my job!

@kharvel: If you choose Route #1/#2, I think it is imperative that you select landscape architects and/or design firms whose work you are familiar with. Not only should you be familiar with their work, but also be impressed by it. Shot-gunning requests to a handful of architects from an internet search may take more of your time on the back end, wading through a lot of nonsense. I know landscape architects and designers whom I have immense respect for and some who I would not let design a small bed around my mailbox. Pick a couple of landscape architects or experienced designers and interview them. You will get a feel for them and vice versa. Normally, you would share with them what your anticipated budget for the project is, what you hope to accomplish and a timeline for design services. Once you agree on fees, you should plan on seeing a conceptual plan for discussion and then a final plan with revisions (if any). All design firms work it a bit differently, but they can give you a design budget with hourly fees. The scope of work will drive the cost of the design. A design including water features, masonry walls, pergolas and significant grade change is going to take more time than a planting plan for a small boulevard. Once you have a final design, then you can bid it out to a couple of landscape contractors, whose work you should also be familiar with. The landscape architect or designer might also do the work, but since you have paid for the design you own it and can choose to get an RFP from whomever. Or perhaps they can refer you to a contractor they feel would be a good match for you. But like choosing the l.a. or designer, it is important that the contractor have a firm grasp on how to implement the plan. And you should also be comfortable with each other. That being said, Route #1/#2 is probably the more time consuming avenue, but by separating design and contracting you avoid a mess, trying to sort out who is giving you what. It allows you to focus on design and them move on to focusing on the implementation of the plan. This will probably be the route with the fewest headaches and the route I would recommend. _____ ______ ______ However, if you choose to send out an RFP for design and installation to multiple design/build firms to do both functions it will be a dizzying amount of information to sort through and assess. You will also be reviewing a difference in design philosophy on paper from different perspectives. The municipality will be reviewing concepts that might be complex in scope and difficult to assess as non-professionals. You avoid that scenario when you hire someone simply for the purpose of design because you are discussing it during the process and they are informed on the front end so they can solve for your needs, wants and circumstances. _____ ________ _______ Regardless of which method you select, I might leave you with a few tidbits for thought: 1. The least expensive contractor is rarely the one you want working at your home or in your municipality. Awarding the project to "low bidder" is almost always a recipe for disappointment, especially when implementing a sophisticated plan. They are the contractor who is 'slamming it in at breakneck speed' to get paid. You may think you had bad design because you received sloppy installation. If the project is driven by budget and not excellence you will not attract the best designers/landscape architects, unless you get a young, hungry one. All projects have budgets, but it's better to achieve excellence over time than be underwhelmed by staying within a budget that's not realistic. Front-end discussion of budget is part of the process. 3. Hire the most qualified people you can afford. Being cheap and being great are almost always mutually exclusive. 4. See #3 above. I hope the above helps you along with your thought process. Best of luck to you on your project!!