HELLO AGAIN! It's been a while, and I hope everyone's holiday season has been enjoyable so far.
I THOUGHT I would pick up where I left off with an article relating to the differences between landscape designers, landscape architects, nurseries and landscape contractors. It is my humble opinion that there are distinct differences between these professional fields and you should be aware of those differences when choosing a company to work with on your projects. In this day and age, more and more companies are starting to combine these fields under one roof in an effort to grab a larger share of the existing landscape-related market. From a business perspective, this is fair enough and makes complete sense. From a client perspective, this may also work out...but you need to be aware of what is going on. It is not always in your best interests to have your landscape designer be a landscape contractor, or your landscape contractor be a landscape designer.
KEEP IN mind that I am a (former) landscape contractor, a landscape designer and I have an Master's degree in Landscape Architecture. I have worked in nurseries, owned a design-build company, I have worked for a design-build company, and have done a minor amount of design work on larger projects with a Landscape Architect. I am sure many people could pick apart my argument in favor of theirs, so again, this is my opinion. Take it for what it is worth. If it can help you decipher the process and the costs associated with your landscape installation project, but you disagree with my take on the process, well, I can live with that.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS are going to be your highest level of education and experience, at the entry level. In order to become licensed, the general process involves, at a minimum, a four-year bachelor's degree or three year master's degree from an accredited institution, followed by at least two years of direct work experience under the direction of a licensed landscape architect. When that is complete, one can then qualify to sit for the Landscape Architects Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.). Whether the test is passed, or not, is an altogether different subject. I believe Utah is working on allowing students, straight out of college, to sit for the exam (which is absolutely ludicrous - have fun with that, Utes!).
THE PURPOSE of being licensed as a landscape architect is to prove you are worthy of the more complicated aspects of landscape design, such as proper construction techniques of decks, retaining walls, piping systems, grading/drainage, etc... As such, landscape architects are the only ones allowed (when compared to designers, nurserymen, landscape contractors) to draw detailed construction-level documentation. See that stamp on your plans? Because of it, that deck joist design and point of connection is "guaranteed" to be appropriate and accurate and comes with all sorts of legal/financial ramifications if it isn't.
THE FINAL career fields of landscape architects rests anywhere from land use planning to landscape design. It is a diverse professional field, so don't think that because they are landscape architects, they only design back yards. Some do, many don't. Landscape architects are ideally suited for larger-scale projects, such as building complexes, university grounds improvements, municipal parks and greenways, environmental planning, and anywhere it will take a multiple-profession approach to completing the project (engineered roads, etc...). If you are looking to hire a licensed landscape architect to complete your project, expect to pay the highest rates. In general, it is common to see rates in the $100-$125 per hour range. Some less, some quite a bit more.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS are the next step down in terms of entry level education, experience, and licensure. There is no real requirement to become a landscape designer, but most will have a landscape architecture degree, a landscape design degree or certificate, or a horticulture degree. Many also have a fine arts background worked in there somewhere, BUT, this is not necessarily always the case. As such, this does not mean they are any less qualified than a landscape architect to design your project, and in many cases, they may be more qualified to do so. Depending on their background and what you are looking for, your landscape designer may be much more knowledgeable or skilled in horticulture specifics, plant layout/composition, color schemes, small-site projects or general artistic abilities.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, landscape designers are going to be found practicing at the level of the residential homeowner. Plans will be less detailed, in regards to built elements, and you will need to rely on your contractor to ensure the proper and legal completion of the project. Price ranges for landscape designers vary, but it is not uncommon to see rates in the $70-$90 per hour range.
NURSERIES, whether wholesale or retail, are going to be your horticultural experts, at least in the plants they either grow or sell. The educational background is almost completely based in the horticultural sciences. Often times, you will see nursery owners also provide landscape design services, and they can be quite competent at the task. They own nurseries because they love plants, planting layout, and planting design. They just went about the process from a different angle.
A REQUIRED nurserymen's license is heavily weighted towards science-based knowledge and information. Since many nurseries do not design at all, their educational and legal requirements pertain to the healthy growth of plant materials and environmental impacts.
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS are required to be licensed, bonded and insured in their respective States. Licensure, in Oregon, requires a minimum of three years work experience before qualifying to take the Landscape Construction Professional's Exam (LCP). When I took this exam, it was a closed-book, 7 part, 750 question exam consisting of sections on Laws and Rules, Horticultural Knowledge, Grading and Drainage, General Construction, Irrigation, Backflow Prevention, and Low Voltage Electrical Systems. There are multiple levels of licensure, with the top tier being the All-Phase Landscape Construction Professional License. This certification allows for all aspects of landscape construction installation, including the completion of cross-connections (backflow prevention). High voltage electrical work is not allowed.
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING companies are required to have two licenses; the personal LCP and Landscape Contractor Business License. It is the business license under which the insurance and bonding requirements fall. In Oregon, I believe, a landscape contracting company must also be a licensed in general contracting in order to sub-contract electricians, plumbers and other specialty trades. Other States will invariably have differing requirements. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure the installation is completed appropriately and does not violate applicable codes.
IT IS a common occurrence for the landscape contractor to also be the designer of their client's landscapes (hence the term "design-build"). The abilities of the contractor doing the design work is highly variable. Larger companies may have on staff a trained designer or possibly even a landscape architect. Smaller companies often rely on the talents of either the owner or perhaps an employee with a keen eye for design related issues. Plans can range from full-sized plan sets to small sketches to possibly no real "plan" at all.
I AM a firm believer in the separation of the professions when it comes to completing landscape projects. Many will argue the efficiency gained of keeping multiple aspects of the project in-house will save the client time and money, and there are times this may be case. It also invariably leads to what I feel are design inadequacies related directly to these "efficiencies." Let's look at design-build contractors.
A DESIGN-BUILD contractor is in business to make money through the high-value installation process. A $4,000 design (or less) is used as an avenue to secure a $20, $30, $40,000 (or greater) installation contract. The cost of the design is minimal. Design becomes a vehicle for higher revenues, and is often dictated by the installation skills and capabilities of the contracting firm's employees. The process is often rushed, and less importance is placed on achieving a client-focused design solution due to the need to secure and schedule the installation. Often, the staff designer will have multiple designs in process at the same time, with a backlog of work waiting to be completed.
AND, IF claimed by the contractor, don't be fooled into thinking your design is free. The designer is not working for free, so where is that money being made up? Lesser quality materials at the same charged rates as higher quality materials? Irrigation pipes not being placed as deep as they need be? Lesser skilled and lower wage employees? Hassles with warranty repairs? That money is being made up somewhere. If it is a small project, the design could possibly be completed with a quick sketch, and there really is no design (plan), so of course its "free." It is also laying the groundwork for lots of headaches in the installation process.
BY UTILIZING a landscape designer (or landscape architect) before hiring a landscape contractor, you regain more control of the landscape installation process. The process becomes centered on the client and design solutions are based on the clients program, or demands. Do you want the materials for your patio to be determined, or influenced, based on the skill set of the contractor? Or would you rather have those materials and layout determined by the site and your preferences? The designer will make decisions based on you, for you. The contractor will try to influence you to achieve a solution that is more convenient for them. The greater their convenience, the higher their efficiency, the greater their profits. Maybe you will see some of those savings...maybe. Design companies focus their energies on design. Contracting companies focus their energies on building. Use each for their strengths, and you will automatically have created a system of checks and balances. The designer will make sure the contractor is installing the design properly and the contractor will keep the designer grounded in what can actually be built realistically and economically.
YOU CAN find the same type of issues if you hire a nursery to complete your landscape design. While the nurseryman/designer is probably more than capable of designing your project, the primary focus of their business is the selling of plant material. What guaranty will you receive that your design is not being influenced, or rushed, due to the more pressing needs of the nursery? Will they be offering design solutions based on unliquidated stock? Will your design receive the full attention it deserves and needs? I have seen some absolutely horrible nursery stock get pawned off this way. Who will be ensuring your $150 (plus installation) tree isn't horribly root bound? It does happen. I have removed more than a few. And when it happens to you, it is more than likely your warranty period will have expired.
WHILE WHAT I have discussed above is very general in nature, I hope it gives you a little more insight into what you are actually engaging in when start your project. Ultimately, landscapes are expensive. They are high labor, high material, high risk endeavors. Do it right. Would you build a house without a plan? Without an architect? Would you have your builder "sketch it out" to save a few bucks? Build a team of experts around you to ensure that every step of the process is completed appropriately and to the best of each team members skills. Designers/architects should be chosen based on their specialties and knowledge of your project type. Nurseries should be chosen based on proven history and reputation (your designer should be able to help you with this). Contractors need to be chosen for their abilities to complete your plan, not on whether their price was lowest. A properly planned and installed landscape can give you a lifetime of enjoyment and a healthy return on its investment. Give it the respect it deserves.
