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Landscape Architects
Selecting a Landscape Architect
Landscape architecture encompasses a wide range of
projects large and small and most professionals
specialize so make sure yours is experienced in
residential design and has a track record with projects
of the same scale as yours.
Get recommendations for neighbors and friends. Find out
if the architect has a specialty and specifically why
they were impressed with the person. You can also check
with your state's American Society of Landscape
Architects chapter and in design magazines for names of
designers.
Only hire as much expertise as you need. There are other
related providers that can provide you with expertise in
specific areas. These included garden consultants,
master gardeners, landscape designers, etc. For
instance, if you only need a planting plan for an
existing flower bed, a master gardener would typically
give you a better value.
Here are some questions you may want to ask when
interviewing perspective landscape architects.
Ask if you can see examples of their work to ensure that
you like their style.
Ask to see some representative examples of drawings they
give to clients from initial concept drawings to final
plans.
Can they provide computer modeling and animated walk-throughs?
Who is actually going to be doing the design? How much
involvement will the principal have with your design?
What is the scope of service? How many meetings are
normally included? What plans & drawings will be done?
How are design revisions handled?
For large projects - does their fee include surveys or
site measurement or surveys?
Ask to see construction drawings? See if they are
clearly organized, show dimensions and scaled detail of
any special features. Does it show the layout,
construction details, planting, irrigation, notes,
lighting, drainage? If not, why not?
What details are included with their basic plans and are
the details custom drawn or "boilerplate"?
Ask to see a typical contract?
How much would they normally charge for a project like
yours?
What is their normal payment schedule and what do they
charge for extra services such as revisions?
How would they approach this particular project? What
opportunities or constraints do they see?
What education do they have and what range of projects
have they worked on?
Ask for references? Including non-client references like
architects and contractors who know their work on
numerous projects.
Be sure to establish a clear understanding of what you
expect from a landscape architect and communicate this
to those you interview. Choose someone with whom you can
communicate easily.
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