Garden Designers, Landscape Architects, and Landscapers: Understanding the Differences

Week 1: Garden Designers

When it comes to landscaping, one of the first questions homeowners often ask is who to hire. With a long wish list in mind, it's easy for needs to get muddled. To ease the anxiety, a good place to start is by looking at your personal budget.

It's understandable if you feel uncertain about costs, as you may not be familiar with landscape industry pricing. However, a competent architect, designer, or installer will help you stay within budget and provide clear guidance on any additional costs if you decide to expand the scope of your project.

Creating a realistic budget is essential. A general rule of thumb is to invest 10 to 20 percent of your home's value. While this may seem high, it's worth noting that landscape improvements often yield a return of 100 to 200 percent of their cost when a house is sold, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. Keeping resale value in mind is always a wise approach. If the budget feels overwhelming, consider implementing the installation in phases over several years.

This three-part blog series aims to help you determine which professional service is best suited for your family's landscaping needs.

Garden Designers, in particular, often excel in working on residential homeowner projects and may collaborate with landscape architect firms for commercial properties. Some garden designers may possess training and qualifications equivalent to a landscape architect, such as proficiency in computer-aided drafting (CAD) and holding an undergraduate or graduate degree in garden design or architecture. One key distinction, however, is that garden designers do not have a state landscape architect license.

As such, they may need to have their CAD technical specifications reviewed and stamped by an architect or a civil engineer, as required by many permits.

Competent garden designers possess expertise in performing site surveys, site analysis, plant and tree selection, soil types, drainage and irrigation systems, pest and disease management, hardscapes, patios, outdoor structures like pavilions and pergolas, managing the contractor bidding process, obtaining permits, and project management.

While some landscape designers are self-taught, most have completed courses at colleges, universities, extension programs, certificate programs, or online. In the United States, there is a growing trend of degrees in garden design, in addition to the traditional horticulture two-year programs. Many garden designers have worked in other fields before transitioning to garden design, bringing additional skills to their work, such as strong project management, communication/bilingual abilities, and business acumen. In short, becoming a garden designer requires experience and dedication.

Think of your garden designer as your garden consultant. They may not always tell you what you want to hear, but they have your best interests in mind. For example, they may advise against a cactus garden in a rainforest climate or caution against a slippery hardscape that could pose safety risks. Your consultant will serve as your advocate, especially during the implementation phase of your project, where the majority of your budget is spent on contractors. Your designer will also know which trades to call in and recommend the best contractor based on your personality and budget.

With Garden Girl, clients contract and pay the subcontractors directly without a mark-up, which can result in significant savings if multiple subs are needed, such as an electrician for water and lights, and nursery stock installers. Garden Girl boasts an 85% success rate of clients saving more on the installation than they paid for the garden design itself. These cost savings are achieved through careful selection of contractors' bids, nursery stock, proper installation sequencing, and listening to the consultant's advice. The remaining 15% of cases where savings were not achieved were largely due to new features being requested or changes made mid- installation.

Not to mention the time and effort saved from having to rip out and replace resources if the placement goes awry. Time is valuable, and Garden Girl understands that.

In addition to providing business to over 30 small businesses, Garden Girl also prioritizes hiring talented women who excel in wood carving, stone carving, and chainsaw operation. These jobs have a positive impact on the local community, schools, and the livelihoods of the skilled installers. 

When it comes to costs, they may vary depending on the state, but expect to spend at least $100.00 per hour for the services of a trained garden designer. Designers who use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) often charge higher rates. Many designers bill in 15-minute increments for time spent on projects, communication with clients through email/phone or in-person meetings, and travel time.

To emphasize the importance of planning, Garden Girl always advises having a plan in place and sticking to it. Proper planning ensures smooth execution of the work. Furthermore, Garden Girl strongly recommends thoroughly vetting contractors before hiring them. A licensed, bonded, and insured contractor is a minimum requirement, and it's essential to check the contractor's license and insurance status on the state's website. By working with Garden Girl, you gain access to her list of preferred professional installers, ensuring reliable and trustworthy service.