How Much Does a Landscape Architect Cost in 2025?
Hiring a landscape architect costs an average of $2,115
Hiring a landscape architect costs an average of $2,115, ranging between $150 and $8,088.
Key cost factors include the services offered and the fee structure.
Landscape architects provide comprehensive services from initial design to project management and construction oversight.
Investing in professional expertise enhances property value and aesthetic appeal.
Proper planning with a professional saves time and ensures compliance with local regulations.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Hiring a landscape architect costs an average of $2,115, with project totals ranging from $150 to $8,088, or $724 and $3,545 on average, depending on the scope and specific requirements. Fees range from 5% to 15% of the total project cost. Proper budgeting and hiring a professional landscape architect are essential to ensure that your outdoor space meets expectations.
Landscape architects and designers work with both living plants and building materials, designing for present appeal and future growth and maintenance. Because design is regional, it is important for the professional to be familiar with the local climate and the plants that thrive there.
Landscape Architect Cost Factors
The cost of hiring a landscape architect depends on several factors. Here’s a closer look at what determines your total cost.
Services and Processes
Landscape architects offer design and project management services depending on the project. Firms tend to work in a variety of areas, both in the private and public sectors. Costs usually remain similar regardless of the following project types:
Transportation corridors such as roads and highways
Waterfront and urban development
Residential construction
Parks, cemeteries, and public spaces
Campuses and commercial centers
Resorts and corporate developments
Firms offer a variety of services, but the entire design process follows these steps:
Inception & Initiation: This phase includes the initial consultation, site visit (inventory and analysis), and proposal or brief.
Concept Design: Includes the creation of documents for the client to understand the proposed design.
Development: Takes the concept design and creates detailed plans for the client.
Construction Documentation: Creates construction documents from the design for contractors and builders.
Procurement: The firm accepts bids from contractors based on the construction plans to price the project.
Installation: Supervises contractors during installation. Troubleshoots construction problems and manages the project.
Fee Structures
A fee schedule is a document provided by design and architecture firms that outlines exact fees for each type of service. It defines the work performed and the associated rates, including hourly rates for principals and associates, travel expenses, initial consultations, and fees for special projects. Firms present this information upfront during the initial consultation, standardizing rates across clients.
Square foot costs tend to run from low-end work to extremely high-end. Low-end includes small and simple landscaping and yard design projects without much complexity or high-end materials. High-end work tends to include the cost to install decks, patio designs, outdoor kitchens, in-ground pool costs, and multilevel additions which can increase the square footage. On average, landscape architects cost $70 to $140 per hour.
Landscape architecture firms working on commercial or government projects usually charge as a percentage of the total construction project. Rates of 5% to 15% are common, although it can be as high as 25% depending on the type of project. This is usually only with new construction and additions. If a home costs $200,000 to build, you may be charged 10%, or $20,000, for the project.
Implementation & Construction Management
After designing the landscape, architects prepare a list of required materials and direct other workers on the planting and construction specified in the design. During the implementation phase, the architect functions as a project manager. While the contractor completes the physical work, the architect is responsible for inspecting the site, supervising plan changes, and addressing any issues that arise. These services are typically included in the initial bid unless explicitly excluded.
The architect remains responsible for the project until the client has inspected and approved the finished product. Retain the professional's contact information for potential follow-up consultations in three to five years to ensure the design matures as expected.
Architects vs. Designers vs. Landscapers
Landscape architects hold formal degrees and have undergone rigorous training and licensing requirements, ensuring adherence to stringent design and safety standards. In contrast, landscape designers may focus more on aesthetics and creativity without the same level of technical planning. A landscape architect’s comprehensive approach includes project management, detailed construction documents, and sustainable planning, making them ideal for complex projects requiring precision and compliance with regulatory codes.
Despite their differences, the cost of hiring a landscape architect or designer are similar. Hourly rates for designers tend to fall in the $50 to $150 an hour range or an average of 55% of the project cost.
DIY Landscape Architecture vs. Hiring a Pro
While it may be possible to save on the cost of hiring a landscape designer by drafting a design independently, cutting corners with a landscape architect is not advisable. Given the detailed and specific nature of the work, achieving professional results through a DIY approach is unlikely.
Although their fees are similar, landscape architects differ from designers. An architect is a well-qualified professional who holds a degree in landscape architecture, has work experience under a licensed professional, and has passed a national exam.
Due to their rigorous training, undertaking their role without proper qualifications is not feasible. These professionals are certified to create construction documents and are qualified to design safe, attractive outbuildings and large structures.
Even if there are ideas about the desired appearance of a garden, a landscape architect can transform vague concepts into a holistic design for the outdoor space, including structures, pathways, seating areas, water features, and more. Upon agreement to the design, the architect finalizes the drafts and creates official construction documents for use by your local landscape contractor. They may also assist in ensuring all necessary permits are in place before work begins.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homeowners hire a landscape architect for yard design during the initial construction of their home or for complex projects involving the installation of pools or other structures. For those planning to completely redesign their outdoor space or make significant structural changes, such as adding a swimming pool or other substantial structures, engaging a landscape architect is advisable before hiring a landscaper for construction. The architect provides construction documents for the landscaper to execute the agreed-upon plan.
The time required to design a landscape depends on the complexity of the vision and the size of the property. A small yard may take a couple of days, while a substantial property with plans to add multiple structures, such as a pool, outdoor kitchen, and living area, can take up to four weeks. Additionally, collaboration between the homeowner and the architect may extend the timeline to finalize a satisfactory design.
Typically, payment to a landscape architect is due upon completion of the design, agreement on the plans, and preparation of construction documents. A deposit may be required up front to secure their services. Some architects charge a flat fee, while others charge up to 30 percent of the total project cost. For more substantial projects, it may be possible to arrange a payment plan or milestone payments.
Landscape design and architectural plans can be completed at any time of year, although you might get a better deal during the colder months. Actually implementing the landscaping itself should wait until spring for planting projects and, ideally, until summer for large-scale hardscaping projects like laying a patio or installing a swimming pool.
Get our Angi-powered app
