Landscape architects and landscape designers are similar in that both help you design a beautiful and functional outdoor space that suits your style, property, and budget. However, they work on different types of projects and provide different services, and hiring one over the other comes down to more than just cost.
So, what is the difference between landscape architects versus landscape designers, and who should you hire for your project?
What Is a Landscape Architect and What Do They Do?
Landscape architecture generally refers to large landscaping projects. Landscape architects typically work on and design public parks, greenways, and commercial buildings. Occasionally, they work on residential projects, though these are usually large in scope. Landscape architect usually focus their work on three areas:
- Greenscapes
- Hardscapes
- Waterscapes
As part of their services, landscape architects also incorporate land development and site planning. This is technical work that includes examining the existing topography to create a plan best suited to the land and designing around existing buildings and utilities.
Thanks to their technical expertise, landscape architects can provide conceptual landscape design plans as well as engineering and construction documents.
What Is a Landscape Designer and What Do They Do?
Landscape designers work on smaller-scale projects that are almost always residential. They don’t provide site engineering or planning services, like grading or water management, but help clients create a pleasing and functional outdoor area.
Unlike landscape architecture, landscape design focuses on plant placement and designing and maintaining gardens. Occasionally, a landscape designer will include smaller hardscapes as part of the landscape design plan.
Landscape Architect and Landscape Designer Similarities
Landscape architecture and landscape design are similar in that both fields work to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that everyone can enjoy. While the educational requirements for architects and landscape designers are different, both fields have professional certifications.
Landscape architects can pursue certification through the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB), while the American Society of Landscape Architects maintains a list of professional certifications available through other organizations.
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) has the Certified Professional Landscape Designer (CPLD), though it’s not a requirement for a landscape architect to hold this certification in any state.
Landscape Architect and Landscape Designer Differences
There are a few major differences between landscape architects and designers.
Landscape architecture is a type of architecture, like residential architecture or industrial architecture. A landscape architect studied it in college and has at least a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture.
As a result, they have more technical knowledge than landscape designers. While both landscape architects and landscape designers design outdoor spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, a landscape architect can plan and design for things like drainage, utility lines, and the structural integrity of your project.
That’s not to say that a landscape designer doesn’t consider these things. Landscape design also considers these elements. The difference is that a landscape architect can create the technical plans and documents for a new drainage system or retaining wall while a landscape designer can’t.
The difference in the technical services a landscape architect and landscape designer can provide also leads to a difference in how states regulate a landscape architecture firm over a landscape design firm. Many states regulate landscape architecture and require the person working on your project to be a licensed landscape architect. However, no state has the same requirement for a landscape designer.
There are no formal education or degree requirements to become a landscape designer, though they likely studied horticulture, soil science, or botany before getting into landscape design. While landscape design is also about creating an outdoor space you love and is functional, landscape design firms cannot create the construction or engineering plans your project may require without an engineer or architect creating and signing off on the plans.
Because landscape architects provide more technical services, they’re often more expensive than landscape designers. Landscape designers charge anywhere from $50 to $150 an hour, while a landscape architect may charge between $70 and $150 per hour. Keep in mind, these figures are just for the architect’s or designer’s services. That doesn’t include labor, supplies, or permits.
| Landscape Designers | Landscape Architects | |
| Works on large, commercial projects | No | Yes |
| Works on residential projects | Yes | Sometimes |
| Licensed | No | Yes (but not in every state) |
| Degree required | No | Yes |
| Can provide technical or construction plans | No (unless they work with a landscape architecture firm) | Yes |
| Provides design concepts | Yes | Yes |
| Conducts site planning | Sometimes | Yes |
| Includes hardscaping | Sometimes | Yes |
| Price | $50 – $150 per hour (national average) | $60 – $175 per hour (national average |
Do You Need a Landscape Designer or a Landscape Architect?
As a rule, landscape architects work on large commercial projects, while a landscape designer works on smaller residential projects. That said, you can hire a landscape architect for your residential project, but sometimes, you’re better off hiring a landscape designer. Here’s what to consider before hiring either.
When to Hire a Landscape Architect
Cost is a major element of your project, and a landscape architect’s fees are only one part of your overall budget. If you expect to spend at least $25,000 on your landscaping project and it has a lot of technical elements, a landscape architect makes the most sense.
If you’re building a new deck, adding retaining walls, or installing an outdoor kitchen, a landscape architect can create the technical plans and engineering documents you’ll need to get your project approved. A licensed landscape architect can also help you pull the permits you need and ensure your project meets state and local guidelines.
Landscape architects are also a good choice when you’re building a new home. They can help you figure out where to place your utility lines or what kind of drainage system you’ll need to direct water away from your house.
When to Hire a Landscape Designer
Though landscape designers generally charge less per hour, their costs can add up if you have a large project with a lot of details. But if your total project budget is less than $25,000 or it doesn’t have elements that require permits or building plans, a landscape designer is the better choice.
For example, if you want advice on what native plants to include in your ornamental flower bed or which hedges you should plant in a shady area, a landscape designer can advise you on what to do.
A landscape design firm will also consider things like drainage and property lines, but they can’t do any of the technical work or help you navigate the permitting process. In that case, you need a landscape architecture firm or general contractor.
Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Choosing the right architect or designer for your landscape project comes down to how big your project is and what your ultimate goals are. A solid understanding of what you want to achieve will help you select the right pro for your project.
Dig’Um Dirtworks is your Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles landscape design partner. We can help you create the backyard of your dreams and can design hardscape projects, fire pits, and more. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
