Landscape Architect vs. Design-Build Firm

Do I Need a Landscape Architect or a Landscape Design-Build Firm?
That’s a question we get a lot here at Owen Brothers. And to be honest, there is no right answer for everyone. While Owen Brothers is a full-service design-build firm, with our own team of landscape designers and construction professionals on-staff, we also work directly with excellent Landscape Architects on a regular basis. 

In other words, we’re not looking to steer you in any particular direction; we’re just here to help you decide what’s best for you and your project.

Determining what’s right for you and your needs is a process that requires some knowledge and experience, so let’s walk through some steps that can help you make a more educated decision when you’re ready to start your landscape development project. And, as always, if you have any questions whatsoever, even if we’re not working with you, just reach out. 

We’re always happy to help.

The Basics

Landscape Architects Landscape Architects (LA’s) are licensed professionals trained in site planning, engineering and design. While they can work on smaller residential projects, they are typically hired for very large and/or complex landscaping projects that may be residential, commercial or municipal in nature.

Landscape Architects are often chosen for more complicated jobs that often require complex sitework, grading, drainage solutions, retaining walls or integration with existing architecture. Typically, LA’s they are not directly involved with the construction process unless specifically hired to do so, and usually for an additional fee. Instead, their work is mostly comprised of creating plans, getting the necessary permits and working with outside engineers to work through the more technical details of the build and get official approval (stamping) so that municipal agencies can approve the project plans. Another service of LA’s is that they can provide extremely detailed technical and construction plans to their clients for the purpose of getting competitive bids for their project.

Landscape Design-Build Firms As the name suggests, Landscape Design-Build firms (LDB’s) offer both landscape design and construction services in one package. They can produce both conceptual and master plans for your project, and for the purposes of bidding, the level of specificity of those can also be customized as needed. However, unlike Landscape Architects, LDB’s have the capability to execute nearly every aspect of the project themselves, without involving outside construction firms, which can make for a more streamlined and agile process.

While LDB’s design capabilities are similar to those offered by landscape architects, there are two primary areas where they differ: (1) Landscape Architects are more deeply trained in the technical and engineering aspects of landscape development whereas LDB’s are often more focused on the construction, hardscape and horticultural aspects of the plan and (2) because they are directly involved in both design/creative AND construction development, Landscape Design-Build firms are usually less expensive on a whole-project basis, can value-engineer projects more efficiently (which saves money), and are often able to respond more quickly when changes are needed during the build, making for a faster process overall. 

Insights

Landscape Architects are an excellent solution for large and complex projects such as multi-unit and public developments, college campuses and large-scale residential in terms of scope. They tend to be somewhat more expensive and more hands-off when it comes to the actual project execution phase but have considerable value in their engineer-level training, and ability to manage and expedite permits and other technicalities. Typically, after the initial plans are accepted and the process initiated, however, there is little client contact unless specifically needed.

Landscape Design Build firms, on the other hand, are an excellent choice for complete residential and smaller commercial projects. LDB’s also can work collaboratively with Landscape Architects to execute more complex projects, with the added advantage of being able to understand and in some cases contribute to the design-solutions process due to the hybrid nature of their offerings. Unlike Landscape Architects, LDB’s provide a direct and ongoing connection to the client throughout the entire development process.

The advantage to this lies in the ability for the LDB firm to better value-engineer the project as it progresses. Simply put, value engineering means that when changes are needed or requested, or there are differing ways of approaching the same challenge, an experienced Landscape Design-Build firm can quickly offer – and implement – alternatives and solutions that meet the aesthetic and functional goals of the project while saving considerable time and money on the bottom line.

With that said, there are definite similarities between what both providers offer. Both can design beautiful landscaping solutions that meet your needs and vision, using similar tools, such as computer aided design (CAD) software. Both LA’s and LDB’s must work with a dedicated engineer to have their plans evaluated, modified as needed, stamped and approved by most municipalities (though a small number do allow for LA’s to stamp their plans without engineering approval). And both have comprehensive knowledge of landscape materials and an understanding of how to use them to achieve specific goals.

Cost Considerations

Landscape Architect fees are typically based on 15% of the entire project cost, though additional charges for services not included in the base rate, such as for permits and other management fees, can also be added as required. To better frame that, a one million dollar project will incur and additional $150,000 in base LA fees plus, potentially, additional fees for select project components. 

That said, if your project is exceptionally large, challenging or complex, choosing an experienced Landscape Architect is an excellent decision, and well-worth any differences in price.

Landscape Design-Build firms have differing ways of approaching their fee structures. Some calculate by hourly rate, some by percentage of construction costs or even cost per square foot. Here at Owen Brothers, we’ve developed an approach that is clear and understandable and streamlines the process effectively. It is a four-step approach that goes as follows:

1. After discussing your project we will create a concept plan, with one revision, and then an associated rough budget
2. Once accepted, we draw up a letter of intent and receive a 10% deposit upon acceptance
3. We then create detailed construction drawings which we will revise to the client’s satisfaction and then create a hard-bid for the entire project, which will also include permitting and other necessary development requirements.
4. Once accepted and contracts executed, we get to work.

Again, every LDB firm has their own way of doing things but in our experience, clients really appreciate the clarity and simplicity of this approach.

As mentioned, in terms of cost, LDB firms are in a strong position to value engineer projects both before and during construction; because they are involved in every aspect of the project, they are especially skilled in finding the best economically practical solutions that still fulfill the aesthetic vision for the project. By contrast, the Landscape Architect’s role in both the project and its timeline, while equally valuable, are different.

Think of it this way: Landscape Architects are usually primarily involved with what could be considered the ‘Honeymoon Phase’ of the project.  Much of their work and client contact is weighted toward the initial phases when everything is a blank slate and everything on the wish list is seemingly possible. And that’s certainly understandable; every client wants to dream big – that’s a fun and exciting part of the process. But once approved, when unexpected challenges or new requests crop up over the course of the project, budgets that were at first limitless can become constrained, and alternative workarounds can be necessary. 

When this occurs, working with an experienced LDB firm can be a great advantage as not only do they have a holistic understanding of the project from design to completion, but because they are ‘on the ground’ and directly involved in the development on a daily basis during the execution of the project,  they can identify and suggest multiple solutions that can keep you on-budget and your timeline on-track.

Takeaways

Hopefully this brief overview helps you better understand the practical differences between choosing a Landscape Design Build firm and a Landscape Architect.  Again, one is not inherently better than the other – only a better fit for your needs, expectations, project scope and budget. 

Lastly, as always, please feel free to consider us as a resource should you have any questions – just reach out, and we’ll help. 

At Owen Brothers, we’ve been developing beautiful landscapes for over 25 years, love our craft, and are always happy to share our knowledge and experience with you.