Compare landscape design proposals by what they include. A planting concept and a coordinated construction package solve different problems, so the fee alone is not a useful comparison.
What are you buying?
Ask which drawings and decisions are included: existing conditions, concept options, planting, materials, irrigation, lighting, and construction details. Find out which items are recommendations and which are developed enough for a contractor to price and build. Specialist work may require a separate agreement.
Match the design scope to the decision
For a focused refresh, you may need a clear planting and material plan. A substantial renovation may need a whole-property concept before individual areas are detailed. A complex site may need survey information, engineering, and permitting coordination. Ask the designer to explain the proposed level of detail and what it enables you to do next.
Make uncertainty visible
Steep grades, drainage concerns, difficult access, protected trees, and incomplete site information can add investigation and coordination. Establish who obtains surveys or specialist advice, how revisions are handled, and what happens if the project changes after the concept is approved.
Connect the design to a buildable budget
With design-build, design and construction coordination sit within one working relationship. With separate design and construction contracts, clarify who answers contractor questions and resolves changes. Either approach benefits from checking the likely construction scope before finalizing detailed selections.
Questions to put in writing
Verify the license and classification for the proposed work with the California Contractors State License Board. Ask for current insurance information and a written description of responsibilities. California landscape architect credentials can be checked through the Landscape Architects Technical Committee. Ask about deliverables, revision rounds, ownership and use of drawings, exclusions, and support during construction.
Prepare a useful brief
List what works today, what needs to change, how you want to use the garden, and your preferred investment range. Separate essential work from items that could follow later. A phased plan should also identify work that must happen first, such as drainage or underground services.
Compare the deliverables, not just the total
Ask to see an example of the drawing package described in the proposal. A concept plan may establish the arrangement of spaces without specifying every construction detail. A planting plan may name plants and quantities but leave irrigation or grading to another scope. The useful question is what decisions you can make with the completed package: choose a direction, obtain comparable construction proposals, or begin installation. Identify any additional design work needed to get from one stage to the next.
Make revisions easier to manage
Gather the household’s priorities before reviewing a concept. Separate changes to the brief from refinements within the agreed direction, and ask how each is handled. Keep a written record of approved decisions, especially where a material, feature, or larger area changes the likely construction scope. A clear approval process helps the design remain connected to the investment range you discussed.
Plan for a garden built in stages
Phasing can spread work over time, but it needs a coordinated plan. Drainage, irrigation mains, conduit, and access may need to be resolved before visible finishes. Ask the designer to show both the eventual layout and the first phase, including how unfinished areas will function in the meantime. This makes it easier to compare a modest first step with a larger installation without losing the overall intent.
Discuss your garden
Bring photographs, a list of priorities, and any drawings you already have to a conversation with our team. Request a consultation to discuss your property and next steps.
