Should You Hire a Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer?
Sow the seeds of a successful landscape with either of these pros
Highlights
Landscape architects focus on complex structural aspects of a landscape.
Architects often collaborate with engineers, architects, and other professionals.
Architects usually take on commercial projects, while designers focus on residential.
Landscape designers offer a one-on-one garden design experience.
Designers typically have the most in-depth plant knowledge.
Landscape architects must have a degree, while designers don’t need one.
You have a vision for your outdoor space, but getting down to the fundamental details can be tricky. For most projects, you can choose a landscape architect or a landscape designer to bring your ideas to life. So, which is the right pro for the job? We compare the benefits of hiring a landscape architect versus a landscape designer below.
Landscape Designer vs. Landscape Architect: Key Differences
Many differences between a landscape designer and a landscape architect lie in the titles themselves. To start, landscape architects are one of the major types of architects that complete a set list of educational requirements and training to receive licensure. Landscape architects work on both commercial and residential projects and have knowledge in everything from property surveying to drainage systems. Their design covers both the structural and aesthetic aspects of a landscape.
Landscape designers, on the other hand, may come from a range of educational backgrounds and typically do not need a license to practice. Designers typically have a rich knowledge of botany, your local climate, and designing a landscape that looks stunning year-round. Even though these pros do not meet licensure standards, many belong to national landscape designer organizations to receive certifications and ongoing training.
| Landscape Designer | Landscape Architect |
|---|---|
| Enhancing existing landscapes | Designing new landscapes |
| Choosing native plants | Surveying your landscape |
| Xeriscaping | Regrading |
| Pollinator garden design | Installing drainage |
| Water element design | Designing hardscapes |
| Seasonal changes | Increasing sustainability |
What Is a Landscape Architect?
A traditional architect costs between $125 and $250 per hour, while landscape architects cost between $70 and $150 an hour. If you aren't sure what you want, or if your grand plan requires changing the lay of the land, you may need the expertise of a landscape architect. They often work on large or custom landscaping projects, but they can also work on smaller residential projects.
Landscape architects often collaborate with engineers, architects, surveyors, community planners, and other professionals. To legally practice, a landscape architect must hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Landscape Architecture. Certain states may require a license as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide scope of expertise | Does not handle installation |
| Ideal for newly built homes | Higher costs |
| Obtains ongoing training |
Best for:
Major landscape alterations
New home builds
Hardscape planning
Pros
Wide Scope of Expertise
Landscape architects have a wide scope of capabilities beyond basic landscape design. They can help plan outdoor structures and irrigation systems, as well as large-scale commercial spaces. If you need more of a landscape overhaul, they’d be the perfect pro for the job.
Ideal for New Homes
If you're getting ready to build a home, hiring a landscape architect can help you assess the land for potential opportunities and pitfalls when planning the yard from scratch. They have experience coordinating with the other professionals on your build team, and can even help you determine which questions to ask your architect when considering the landscape in the design.
Obtains Ongoing Training
Most states require landscape architects to complete a set of continuing education credits to remain certified. Knowing that your architect is keeping up with the changing codes, trends, and breakthroughs ensures that your landscape will remain safe and healthy after installation.
Cons
May Not Offer Installation
While landscape architects can advise on plant choice and placement, they will not typically install the turf and garden themselves. Architects either hire a team of landscapers, or advise you on how to choose someone for long-term upkeep.
Higher Costs
The expertise of a landscape architect will typically cost more than a landscape designer. However, their roles are different enough that the cost may be necessary for an ecologically sustainable lawn. Architects will ensure your landscape design melds with your property's slope, water table, local climate, and even how it interacts with your home.
What Is a Landscape Designer?
Hiring a landscape designer costs between $50 and $150 per hour. Landscape designers typically have extensive horticultural knowledge and nursery experience. They’ll sit down with you to discuss your needs and wants. These pros are well-versed in garden design and can help you avoid costly mistakes, such as planting the wrong types of plants together.
Once they’ve got a solid understanding, your local landscape designer will come up with a landscape design plan for your yard. This will give a visual idea of how the finished project will look. From there, they’ll keep working with you until you have a design you truly love.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Artistic guidance | Does not handle hardscapes |
| Ideal for existing landscapes | May require an architect |
| Lower cost |
Best for:
Garden enhancements
Planning a landscape's aesthetics
Seasonal landscape changes
Pros
Artistic Guidance
A landscape designer offers plenty of one-on-one time to discuss specific plants and which could work the best for your space. They often take a more artistic approach to outdoor projects, helping their clients develop beautiful garden setups.
Enhance Existing Landscapes
Landscape designers are the pros to call when your current garden could use a lot of love. They can look at your existing landscape and discuss how to emulate each popular style of garden, and how to care for it through the seasons.
Lower Cost
In many cases, landscape designers will charge less than landscape architects, since their services are a bit less technical. Designers will often break down their fees by the type of work you have in mind, whether it's installing new garden beds or choosing new turf for a struggling lawn.
Cons
Rarely Alters Hardscapes
Landscape designers can provide in-depth direction for the plants in your landscape. However, many do not include hardscaping plans like patios, walkways, and garden structures.
May Require an Architect
If a landscape designer encounters larger issues with your property—such as drainage problems or a dispute about the property line—they will need to call in a licensed pro to get the sign-off to continue. A larger team will drive up the price, and it can be trickier to determine your bottom line because of this.
Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer
The biggest difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect is the nature of the projects they take on. A landscape designer will work closely with you, focusing on the types of plants you want and the overall aesthetic of your desired space.
A Landscape architect is the expert since this position calls for formal education. While they may not offer the same one-on-one planning, they can collaborate on more complex structural projects.
Price: Landscape Designer
As we touched on above, the costs of a landscape designer vs. a landscape architect are similar, but architects will cost more overall. Landscape architects take on larger, often full-scale projects that look at the big picture of a property. That being said, designers will occasionally work on large garden overhauls while architects will address small hardscape issues. In other words, designers may occasionally cost more, but not in most cases.
Licensing: Landscape Architect
The work of a landscape architect directly affects the health and sustainability of a property and everyone on it. Because of this, states require landscape architects to receive and update their licenses each year. Confirming their licensure is an important part of hiring the right person—similar to when you're figuring out how to hire an architect for your home.
Scope of Work: Landscape Architect
While there will always be a crossover between these two positions, landscape architects have a wider scope of training compared to designers. Their drafting and surveying experience will allow them to address larger issues with landscapes that need a bit more TLC. That being said, there are plenty of times when hiring a landscape designer is simply a better fit for your project. One-on-one artistic collaboration may be just the trick to elevate your garden to the next level.