What is the difference? Do architects have a CA state licenses and can work on commercial and residential, thus cost more? I've met a few contractors that call themselves landscape designers and other higher end ones that call themselves landscape architects. Getting quoted $50-60k for a 5k lot. Sounds like a lot but 3 vendors, including Jo and Jeff Rand have told me the same thing.
Landscape architect vs landscape designer
- Thread starter lovingit
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1. I don't have anyone to recommend. Sorry.
2. California peppers get huge. Just drive through PP, there are a ton of them here (on HOA land). They grow tall and wide. With a 5k lot, I probably wouldn't recommend it. There are a lot of other options - walk the nurseries & neighborhoods for more ideas. We got our trees (largest was 36 gal) from a tree nursery in Orange that's open to the public. But I know they have larger ones there.
3. I know someone that used Landmark. I think they had a pretty good experience. Their yard was definitely $50k plus though (jacuzzi, fountain, etc).
4. In terms of the "blueprints", don't focus so much on the "cost" or their "embedded cost". The reality is, these contractors with or without a designer need to submit something to the HOA and need a print for their guys to work off of. They have to do the drawings anyway. The reason the landscape architects CHARGE for the drawings/services is because they don't do any of the actual constructing so they need to get paid somehow. Someone I know used a landscape architect for an approx 5k lot and it was $4,000 for the services. That includes a couple of meetings, the plan itself, and coordinating with the contractor. To me, that seems a bit steep if you are confident in the skills of the landscape designers (i.e. the Echo's of the world). Remember, after you get the plan from the landscape architect, you'll go to bid out the job. The contractors you bid to aren't going to DISCOUNT you $4,000 b/c you didn't ask them to draw the plans. So I really view the landscape architect fee as ADDITIONAL. Tough call. We went back and forth and ultimately chose not to go the architect route. If this was my forever home though, I probably would have.
what was the overall budget and may I ask how big is your lot?
Thanks
irvine buyer
Active member
The cost of installing landscaping properly does cost more than most people think. Landscape architects will always call out construction and softscape installation methods that are more expensive but will yield more durable long term results. For example, a concrete patio can be poured over leveled dirt, but the landscape architect will call out compaction of soil, an aggregate base, then rebar before pouring the concrete. The result will be less chance of settling and cracking of concrete. Considering much of North Irvine is heavy clay soil with poor drainage, our landscape architect has ordered soil tests to determine proper amendment of the soil, plus designed a way to water and drain excess water for our 36" box trees. In a previous home, we had the same heavy clay soil but the contractor did not provide for proper drainage and in two years, we lost our trees to root rot. Your budget will dictate which direction to head. Even with a small yard, I would say that $40,000 is the low end if you want to go with a landscape architect. A landscape architect will tend to give you a more elaborate design which will cost more to build. I can get concrete poured for $6.5/foot but to do it properly is going to cost at least $10 a foot. More if you want colored concrete or a specialty finish. A good contractor will not use Malibu brand lights. I've talked to two reputable contractors and both said that their product is not reliable. Better quality landscape lighting is almost 3 times the cost of Malibu lighting at the big box stores. I could go on and on, and it all adds up.
One place you can cut costs without sacrificing any of the work is in the softscape plan. A lot of contractors charge you double the plant cost plus planting fee. I've seen homeowners cut this cost by 1) only having the contractors plant the big stuff (trees mostly) and do most of the filler stuff themselves. You have the plan so you know which plants they recommended or 2) buy the plants/sod yourself and only have the contractors charge you for planting. Most places will deliver for free. Both of these take some work on the homeowners part but an option if you want to save $. Those little plants and trees add up fast when doing it all through the contractor.
Hey Bones, I appreciate the feedback. Do you have someone you recommend? I was going to try to save money by doing the plants myself, but the bigger items like olive trees may have to be done thru the contractor? We like the California pepper trees but heard they grow out of control. Where do you even go to buy these trees, that is open to the public? I went to nurseries but they usually don't have olive trees or California pepper trees, etc
So far, I interviewed Jo (Echo) and Jefferson Rand, both are landscape designers. They both said blueprints are free, but I am sure they will just "add" it to the cost of the job.
I found this guy driving around Baker Ranch but he says he does minimum $50k jobs. Website looks decent.http://www.landmarkcustomlandscape.com/gallery/
I am in North Irvine and want to create a Tuscan style courtyard + built in BBQ + built in sitting area and firepit + water feature behind the CA Room area. I also want to change the front driveway to contain grass weaved within. I like the idea of a fireplace but heard those cost more for asthetics and doesn't really do much for heating. Firepit was recommended to provide a because it is a better hang out area and also to save costs. Anyone you recommend who are easy to work with that don't charge 2x to install plants and trees (or are they all like that)? There are a bunch of contractors that dropped off flyers but I don't know if I trust them. The good ones will never leave business cards and advertisements.
But there are people like Urban Landscape and South Coast Architects who do some amazing work, but they focus on the super nice properties.
So far, I interviewed Jo (Echo) and Jefferson Rand, both are landscape designers. They both said blueprints are free, but I am sure they will just "add" it to the cost of the job.
I found this guy driving around Baker Ranch but he says he does minimum $50k jobs. Website looks decent.http://www.landmarkcustomlandscape.com/gallery/
I am in North Irvine and want to create a Tuscan style courtyard + built in BBQ + built in sitting area and firepit + water feature behind the CA Room area. I also want to change the front driveway to contain grass weaved within. I like the idea of a fireplace but heard those cost more for asthetics and doesn't really do much for heating. Firepit was recommended to provide a because it is a better hang out area and also to save costs. Anyone you recommend who are easy to work with that don't charge 2x to install plants and trees (or are they all like that)? There are a bunch of contractors that dropped off flyers but I don't know if I trust them. The good ones will never leave business cards and advertisements.
But there are people like Urban Landscape and South Coast Architects who do some amazing work, but they focus on the super nice properties.
lovingit said:
1. I don't have anyone to recommend. Sorry.
2. California peppers get huge. Just drive through PP, there are a ton of them here (on HOA land). They grow tall and wide. With a 5k lot, I probably wouldn't recommend it. There are a lot of other options - walk the nurseries & neighborhoods for more ideas. We got our trees (largest was 36 gal) from a tree nursery in Orange that's open to the public. But I know they have larger ones there.
3. I know someone that used Landmark. I think they had a pretty good experience. Their yard was definitely $50k plus though (jacuzzi, fountain, etc).
4. In terms of the "blueprints", don't focus so much on the "cost" or their "embedded cost". The reality is, these contractors with or without a designer need to submit something to the HOA and need a print for their guys to work off of. They have to do the drawings anyway. The reason the landscape architects CHARGE for the drawings/services is because they don't do any of the actual constructing so they need to get paid somehow. Someone I know used a landscape architect for an approx 5k lot and it was $4,000 for the services. That includes a couple of meetings, the plan itself, and coordinating with the contractor. To me, that seems a bit steep if you are confident in the skills of the landscape designers (i.e. the Echo's of the world). Remember, after you get the plan from the landscape architect, you'll go to bid out the job. The contractors you bid to aren't going to DISCOUNT you $4,000 b/c you didn't ask them to draw the plans. So I really view the landscape architect fee as ADDITIONAL. Tough call. We went back and forth and ultimately chose not to go the architect route. If this was my forever home though, I probably would have.
warwickhunt
New member
Hi, I know it has been a while since this was posted but I wanted to answer this question in case anyone down the road is curious. This is a very good question and one that is often misunderstood. I did a blog post on this topic a while back on my website. We are Landscape Architects.http://www.studioh-inc.com/landscape-architect-vs-landscape-designer-vs-landscape-contractor/
Basically. A licensed Landscape Architecture firm is the only company that can produce a full set of construction plans that can be used for bidding and installation. Yes, a Landscape Architecture firm can do commercial work as well as private, but generally they will specialize in one of the other. A Landscape Architecture firm will have at least one licensed individual. All the employees will have likely gone to Landscape Architecture school at an accredited university. This is a very difficult degree to achieve, only 4% of my class graduated. A number of years experience are required before board exams can start. It is twice as hard as the bar exam to pass.
A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, as mentioned, is anyone that thinks they know how to design a little. It can be a contractor, hobbyist, or a professional that just isn't licensed. There are some great ones, but most are nowhere near a professional Landscape Architect. They can produce softscape plans, no construction drawings which are required by the HOA. They can design planting, irrigation, lighting, and a Conceptual plan. They can not produce plans for construction purposes.
A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR. There are some contractors out there that hire Landscape Architects, though very few. Most just have their salesmen do the design. They can produce a full set of plans for construction, but MUST build the project. They ARE NOT allowed to sell you those plans to have another contractor build. This means that you have to hire them, and can't get other bids, so who knows how much you are over paying.
On a final note. In 14 years in this business if there is one thing I can tell you with certainty it is that hiring a Landscape Architect will save you money, not cost you money. There are many reasons why but just to name a few....1. INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE by having a better yard compared to your neighbors, 2. BUDGET CONSCIOUS DESIGN by a professional not looking to push products they turn a profit on, (example, 1,000sf of limestone = $35,000 vs 500sf of modern pavers at $15/sf plus 500sf of pebble or decomposed granite at $5/sf can yield a better design while saving $25,000. 3. MULTIPLE BIDS, your professional will help review the bids to make sure they truly are apples to apples. The lowest bid is often the highest 4. OVERSIGHT: Your Landscape Architect will review change orders to make sure they are reasonable, and do their best to catch any construction defects before they happen. There are many more ways a Landscape Archtiect can save you money with their knowledge and experience. I absolutely guarantee this is the best money you can spend on your project if you really care about enjoying your landscape and saving some money.
Basically. A licensed Landscape Architecture firm is the only company that can produce a full set of construction plans that can be used for bidding and installation. Yes, a Landscape Architecture firm can do commercial work as well as private, but generally they will specialize in one of the other. A Landscape Architecture firm will have at least one licensed individual. All the employees will have likely gone to Landscape Architecture school at an accredited university. This is a very difficult degree to achieve, only 4% of my class graduated. A number of years experience are required before board exams can start. It is twice as hard as the bar exam to pass.
A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, as mentioned, is anyone that thinks they know how to design a little. It can be a contractor, hobbyist, or a professional that just isn't licensed. There are some great ones, but most are nowhere near a professional Landscape Architect. They can produce softscape plans, no construction drawings which are required by the HOA. They can design planting, irrigation, lighting, and a Conceptual plan. They can not produce plans for construction purposes.
A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR. There are some contractors out there that hire Landscape Architects, though very few. Most just have their salesmen do the design. They can produce a full set of plans for construction, but MUST build the project. They ARE NOT allowed to sell you those plans to have another contractor build. This means that you have to hire them, and can't get other bids, so who knows how much you are over paying.
On a final note. In 14 years in this business if there is one thing I can tell you with certainty it is that hiring a Landscape Architect will save you money, not cost you money. There are many reasons why but just to name a few....1. INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE by having a better yard compared to your neighbors, 2. BUDGET CONSCIOUS DESIGN by a professional not looking to push products they turn a profit on, (example, 1,000sf of limestone = $35,000 vs 500sf of modern pavers at $15/sf plus 500sf of pebble or decomposed granite at $5/sf can yield a better design while saving $25,000. 3. MULTIPLE BIDS, your professional will help review the bids to make sure they truly are apples to apples. The lowest bid is often the highest 4. OVERSIGHT: Your Landscape Architect will review change orders to make sure they are reasonable, and do their best to catch any construction defects before they happen. There are many more ways a Landscape Archtiect can save you money with their knowledge and experience. I absolutely guarantee this is the best money you can spend on your project if you really care about enjoying your landscape and saving some money.
irvinebullhousing
Well-known member
barton said:
what was the overall budget and may I ask how big is your lot?
Thanks