As you plan a new garden or remodel an old one, when should you call in landscape architect?

Sunset, April, 1985

More than a backdrop, a well-designed garden expands a house by providing room outside where your family can eat, entertain, work, play, sun, swim, relax.

Creating this kind of outdoor livability can call for the addition of patios, decks, dining areas, play yards, shade structures, drainage systems, perhaps a pool or spa. Designing such garden structures--and relating them to a coherent plan for your outdoor environment--is where a landscape architect comes in.

In the broadest sense, a landscape architect--like an architect--is a space planner, but he or she focuses on outdoor areas and how they relate to the house and site rather than on the building itself.

In addition to deciding the most effective use of paving, planting, and lighting, landscape architects are licensed to design exterior structures, solve site problems (such as ungainly slopes and poor drainage), and give advice on such things as siting a house and locating service lines, entries, driveways, and parking areas. A landscape architect has expertise in the selection of building and landscaping materials and services, and can suggest costsaving alternatives.

For individual services or for simple consultation, many landscape architects will agree to work at an hourly fee. This ranges from $35 to $100 per hour, sometimes with a 2-hour minimum.

More commonly, however, a landscape architect provides a complete design package--from drawing plans to observing installation.

But how do you find one? What will you pay? And what do you get for the investment? We interviewed scores of landscape architects and related professionals. Their suggestions, as well as ours, make up this report.

When do you act? As early as possible, particularly if you're building a new house. If the landscape architect is hired at the same time as the architect or builder, the two can coordinate their work so the house and garden capture the best views, leave room for projected landscape improvements, and take advantage of existing trees, rocks, and topography.

"Often a homeowner can get a lot more landscape for the money just through conservation," advises Tucson landscape architect Warren Jones. "In the case of a beautiful natural site, if the landscape architect gets there before the buldozers, you might be able to get by with adding just a garden oasis, a terrace, or a nice entry and let the rest of it stay natural."

When you are remodeling, the time to call a landscape architect is before you remove old landscaping. Often they can propose alternatives that will turn supposed handicaps into assets. They know when to call in other specialists, such as engineers or arborists. Says Fresno landscape architect Paul Saito, "In one case, I spent a few hours directing a tree surgeon; after thinning and pruning, it was a different garden."

Step 1. Finding a landscape architect

Landscape architects claim 98 percent of their residential clients come by referral. Their advice: scout around.

Collect names from friends and neighbors--even if it means knocking on doors when you spot a good design (owners seldom mind the compliment). Look for design credits on work you admire in newspapers, gardening magazines, and publications such as Sunset. Allied professionals and tradespeople such as architects, interior designers, and pool contractors are another resource; ask for their recommendations.

While referrals and examples are the best introductions to a designer's work, people who live in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and other major metropolitan areas can call the local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for a list of members who do residential design. Consider the yellow pages (under Landscape Architects) a last resort, since not all residential landscape architects choose to be listed, and you will have to pick out those that do from those that limit their practice to commercial work.

Call three or four firms and describe your project. If they seem interested, you can ask questions about the nature of their work, their current work load, and how they charge. At this point, you may want to schedule a meeting at your home; you may pay by the hour for this. Or you can ask for an office interview (usually free). Firms that aren't interested or available may be willing to recommend junior staff members who moonlight or former employees just out on their own.

Step 2. The office interview

This is your chance to see examples of a landscape architect's work, view slides of earlier projects, and discuss working procedures. He or she may also be able to give you addresses to drive by, or may take you to see gardens the firm has done. During your search, be a wise consumer. Look at experience, references, previous work done, and--very importantly--look for a style and personality that feel right to you. The right chemistry can be crucial to your project's success.

In these early meetings, find out if you can talk easily to each other. Is he or she listening and responding sensitively to what you're saying? Check yourself as well; you will need to communicate clearly and have faith in his or her decisions as work proceeds.