Seeking landscape architect/designer/something

[Anonymous]

17:37 Here...Primary difference is that a Landscape Architect (like an architect or engineer) holds a professional license from the state they practice in. Typically, the have to have a minimum # of years of experience working for someone and take a practice exam. One place that I know that L.A. 's have additional expertise is in site work like grading and drainage. For us this was really important on our lot. There are lot of people with a horticultural background who can place plants in a pretty (and seasonal) layout on a plan, it takes real skill to get all of the work with changing elevations in a yard.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 17:37, for the clarification about professional roles. Very, very helpful. (And to clarify for someone else, no, I'm not expecting my yard to be completely transformed soup-to-nuts for $500. I'm interested in hiring out the planning, not the actual work, and so want to think about pricing without the cost of any grading/planting/building that will follow later.)

[Anonymous]

Just look for a residential L.A. You can find most of them here:
http://www.potomacasla.org/resources/looking-for-an-la.aspx

A lot of these firms only do plans. They will break it into phase and give you cost estimates as part of the plan.

[Anonymous]

I'm not familiar with LandArt but I have to say that $1,000 for a master design like the PP got is actually a decent price. We got one and have found it to be well worth the money. Just like with a home architect, the landscape architect talked to us about what was important for us, came out a looked at the site and then discussed with us why she chose the plantings she did for that location. We understood the purpose of that particular planting and how it worked in the design and the environment. This allowed us to make suitable substitutions when we desired. We've been implementing the plan over the last few years in order to keep it affordable. Having that plan has been fabulous.

[Anonymous]

PP, would you mind sharing the name of the person you used?

[Anonymous]

We used LandArt for design and were not impressed. She took time to come out to our house and we spent at least an hour or so discussing our wants and needs, but in the end, delivered a plan that didn't address a few of the major items that we were concerned with that we had raised with her. I think if you have a big budget and demonstrate that you will definitely be using her for the actual implementation, you might get a better response. We never used the designs we paid for from her, and instead prefer one we received from a lower cost LA (who delivered design plans for free, and addressed our main concerns). I would also add that if you are planning on using her for the actual construction, she doesn't do lighting (but I think she can refer you to someone who does). I think lighting is such a major part of a landscape plan -- who wants to deal with so many different service providers if you can have one shop do it all?

[Anonymous]

We used Botanical Decorators, Morgan Washburn specifically. He was very patient and I felt at ease with him - and their work is absolutely stunning. They charge separately for the proposal/plan and execution. I highly recommend checking them out!

http://www.botdec.com/
301.674.2766

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used LandArt for design and were not impressed. She took time to come out to our house and we spent at least an hour or so discussing our wants and needs, but in the end, delivered a plan that didn't address a few of the major items that we were concerned with that we had raised with her. I think if you have a big budget and demonstrate that you will definitely be using her for the actual implementation, you might get a better response. We never used the designs we paid for from her, and instead prefer one we received from a lower cost LA (who delivered design plans for free, and addressed our main concerns). I would also add that if you are planning on using her for the actual construction, she doesn't do lighting (but I think she can refer you to someone who does). I think lighting is such a major part of a landscape plan -- who wants to deal with so many different service providers if you can have one shop do it all?

I was also not impressed and would never use LandArt. Years ago, she came to my house in Vienna and started showing me her portfolio of what she'd done with various mansions in Great Falls, McLean. Implied that we couldn't afford her (which is funny, because we live way below our means). Spent 15-20 min looking at the yard. My husband and I called several times to follow up, but never got a call-back. Not a professional way to do business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We used LandArt for design and were not impressed. She took time to come out to our house and we spent at least an hour or so discussing our wants and needs, but in the end, delivered a plan that didn't address a few of the major items that we were concerned with that we had raised with her. I think if you have a big budget and demonstrate that you will definitely be using her for the actual implementation, you might get a better response. We never used the designs we paid for from her, and instead prefer one we received from a lower cost LA (who delivered design plans for free, and addressed our main concerns). I would also add that if you are planning on using her for the actual construction, she doesn't do lighting (but I think she can refer you to someone who does). I think lighting is such a major part of a landscape plan -- who wants to deal with so many different service providers if you can have one shop do it all?

I was also not impressed and would never use LandArt. Years ago, she came to my house in Vienna and started showing me her portfolio of what she'd done with various mansions in Great Falls, McLean. Implied that we couldn't afford her (which is funny, because we live way below our means). Spent 15-20 min looking at the yard. My husband and I called several times to follow up, but never got a call-back. Not a professional way to do business.

I think you two were not a good fit. It was a good idea to not do business together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We used LandArt for design and were not impressed. She took time to come out to our house and we spent at least an hour or so discussing our wants and needs, but in the end, delivered a plan that didn't address a few of the major items that we were concerned with that we had raised with her. I think if you have a big budget and demonstrate that you will definitely be using her for the actual implementation, you might get a better response. We never used the designs we paid for from her, and instead prefer one we received from a lower cost LA (who delivered design plans for free, and addressed our main concerns). I would also add that if you are planning on using her for the actual construction, she doesn't do lighting (but I think she can refer you to someone who does). I think lighting is such a major part of a landscape plan -- who wants to deal with so many different service providers if you can have one shop do it all?

I was also not impressed and would never use LandArt. Years ago, she came to my house in Vienna and started showing me her portfolio of what she'd done with various mansions in Great Falls, McLean. Implied that we couldn't afford her (which is funny, because we live way below our means). Spent 15-20 min looking at the yard. My husband and I called several times to follow up, but never got a call-back. Not a professional way to do business.

I think you two were not a good fit. It was a good idea to not do business together.

Absolutely, I agree. I ended up working with another company that did a great job. But as a professional whose time is worth much more than hers, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the attitude.