A helpful guide for selecting the best landscape architecture firm for your garden project.
A Guide to Selecting a Landscape Architecture Firm
The success of any outdoor project relies on establishing the right partnership with an experienced landscape architecture firm from the very beginning. Asking a landscape professional thoughtful questions upfront does more than help evaluate credentials – it sets the foundation for clear communication, aligned expectations, and mutual trust that will carry a project from initial concept to final installation.
Below are some thoughtful questions meant to guide your initial conversations with a landscape architect to help you identify a professional firm with the expertise, process, and aligned vision to bring your dream garden to life while establishing the clear communication framework essential for the project’s success.
Professional Experience
Q: What qualifications and past project experience do you have with projects similar to mine?
A: When selecting a landscape architecture firm, seek licensed landscape professionals with experience in projects like yours. A strong portfolio of high-end designs, quality hardscaping and planting installation work reflects their expertise. They should also balance aesthetics with functionality, tailoring designs to fit your lifestyle and home architecture.
Q: Do you have past clients I could connect with to hear about their experience?
A: Asking for client references allows you to hear firsthand about others’ experiences with the firm. When talking to past clients, pay attention to their satisfaction with communication, adherence to timelines, quality of work, problem-solving, and how well the result matched their vision. These insights help you look at the firm’s reliability and whether they are the right fit for your project.
Q: What architects, home builders and interior designers have you worked with?
A: Ask about their experience working with architects, builders, and interior designers on similar projects, and how they handle coordination, scheduling, and design integration. What matters most is the landscape architect's ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals and integrate seamlessly into an existing project team.
Q: Do you offer design-build services?
A: Landscape architecture firms typically operate under one of two models: design-only, or design-build. Design-only firms focus exclusively on creating plans and specifications, then help you select qualified contractors for installation. Design-build firms handle both the creative design process and construction management, offering a single point of contact throughout your project.
Concept Design & Design Development
Q: Who will I be working with throughout the entire design and construction phases? Will I have a designated project team?
A: Understanding your primary contacts and their roles ensures smooth communication. Ask about the landscape architect’s involvement with the project team, and how decisions are made within their firm.
Q: Can you describe your company's design process from concept to execution?
A: A professional landscape architect's design process should be collaborative. The initial concept phase usually involves exploring the design direction through sketches, site plans, and visual references to establish the overall vision and spatial organization. As concepts are refined, expect to see increasingly detailed presentations that may include construction drawings, material and plant selections, and drainage studies.
Q: How do you typically communicate the intent and direction of your concept?
A: Extraordinary landscape architecture firms use multiple tools – sketches, renderings, material samples, and sometimes 3D models – to help you fully understand and evaluate the design before construction begins.
Q: Do you have experience working with the local codes, HOA guidelines, and permitting processes in my area?
A: Local expertise helps minimize delays and supports compliance. The right professional should demonstrate knowledge of municipal requirements and keep current with evolving requirements.
Q: How do you incorporate my ideas while providing professional guidance?
A: The best landscape architects are skilled collaborators who listen carefully to your vision while providing expert guidance on feasibility, sustainability, and design excellence.
Construction & Project Management
Q: What level of site supervision do you provide throughout the construction process?
A: Design is only half the equation in a garden project; proper execution requires active project management and quality control. Discuss the firm’s role in onsite supervision and scheduling.
Q: Can you outline the main factors that might affect both the cost and schedule of my project?
A: An exceptional landscape architecture firm will clearly communicate the factors affecting project costs and timelines. These factors can include site conditions (drainage, soil quality, access), material selections, scope changes during construction, weather delays, and permit approval processes.
Maintenance & Care
Q: How do you select plants and materials for longevity and appropriate maintenance levels?
A: A quality landscape firm will begin by carefully listening to understand their clients' immediate needs and priorities. Then explore the client's long-term vision, discussing how they want to use the space over time, their aesthetic preferences, maintenance involvement level, and how the landscape should evolve with changing needs. A quality firm will know how to balance the immediate practical concerns with longer-term aspirations while considering maintenance requirements, seasonal performance, and long-term durability in the local- climate. A thoughtful approach to plant and material selection ensures that both the initial installation and the garden's evolution create lasting satisfaction and value by understanding that beautiful gardens must also be functional spaces that serve the client's lifestyle while thriving in their specific environment.
Q: What kind of warranties do you provide?
A: A professional landscape company stands behind their work, offering warranties on plants and workmanship to ensure lasting quality. These warranties guarantee contractors will fix any defects within a set timeframe, giving clients peace of mind and recourse if issues arise after completion. Ask about their process for handling post-project concerns—it shows their commitment to your satisfaction and the long-term success of your landscape.
While this guide addresses some primary considerations, you may have additional questions tailored to your specific site conditions, design preferences, or project goals – after all, every property, client, and design vision is unique.
If you are in the beginning stages of planning your design-build landscape project, we invite you to connect with McDugald Steele’s team of licensed landscape architects. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your vision and answer any questions you may have about creating or constructing your extraordinary garden.