Landscape design: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What landscape design is

Landscape design is the planning step that turns a yard's goals into a drawn plan with plant choices, hardscape, drainage, lighting and layout. People hire a designer when they want to settle what to build before committing to a crew or a phased project.

Signs you need it

  • You know what you want the yard to do, but not how to lay it out
  • The yard has drainage, slope or shade problems that need a plan before any planting
  • You plan to build in phases and want a plan that holds together over time
  • You are getting bids from contractors and want one plan to compare them against
  • You plan a major change, such as a new patio, a pool area or an outdoor room, and want the yard to work as a whole

What the pro does

  • The designer visits the site and measures the yard, marking the house, slope, existing trees and utilities
  • They talk through how you use the yard, what you want to see from the windows and what you want to keep
  • They draw a base plan of the site, then sketch layout options for beds, paths and hardscape
  • They choose plants for the sun, soil and water each area gets, and show where each one goes
  • They deliver a final plan with a plant list, material notes and a phasing outline you can take to a contractor

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Yard size and how many distinct areas the plan has to cover
  • How much survey and measuring is needed, including slopes and existing features
  • Whether the plan includes lighting, irrigation or drainage design
  • Level of detail, from a simple sketch to a full drawing set
  • Number of design revisions before the final plan
  • Whether the designer also supplies a plant list and material specifications
  • Whether the plan is for one phase or a full phased build

What a written quote should spell out

  • The scope of the design, such as lighting, drainage or irrigation, and what is excluded
  • The number of site visits and revisions included
  • The deliverables, such as a site plan, planting plan, material list and phasing outline
  • The format and timeline for the final drawings
  • Whether the designer will walk the site during construction or only deliver the plan
  • What you need to provide, such as a survey or photos of the yard

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see past plans you have drawn for yards like mine?
  • Do you measure the yard yourself, or do you ask me to provide a survey?
  • How do you choose plants for the sun and soil in each part of the yard?
  • Will the plan cover drainage and grade, or only planting and hardscape?
  • Can the plan be built in phases, and how do you set the order?
  • Do you work with contractors I can hire, or do I need to find one myself?
  • What do I get at the end, and in what format?

Red flags

  • They draw a plan without visiting the yard or measuring it
  • They pick plants without asking about sun, soil or water
  • They ignore drainage and slope when laying out beds and paths
  • They will not show past work or explain how they chose plants for it
  • They offer a plan that cannot be built in phases, which leaves you stuck if you cannot do all of it at once

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can sketch a rough plan of the yard, note the sun and shade, and list goals and features before meeting a designer. Call a designer for drainage, grading, lighting or hardscape layouts, since those need measured drawings that fit the house. Keep your sketch as close to scale as you can, and mark any buried lines or utilities you know about.

Licenses and permits

Landscape design is commonly not licensed on its own; drawings for permitted work, such as grading, drainage or structures, may need to be prepared by a licensed professional in some areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your permit office.

Landscape design questions

Do I need a designer if I am hiring a contractor anyway?

A design gives you one plan to compare bids against and keeps the work consistent. A simple project may only need a sketch from the contractor.

What is included in a landscape plan?

A typical plan shows the site, beds, paths, hardscape, plant locations, lighting and drainage, with a plant list. Ask the designer which items are in your package and which are extra.

Can I use the plan to do the work myself?

Yes, for planting and simple beds the plan can guide your own work. For grading, drainage, hardscape or lighting, hand the plan to a licensed contractor who can confirm what is needed.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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