Another landscape specialty is softscape.Hardscape includes patios, pergolas, paths, pools, and retaining walls. Hardscape, the man-made portion of the landscape is the backbone of any landscape.Some landscape designers differentiate themselves by concentrating on landscape specialties. Maintenance – Some landscape contractors and landscapers focus solely on maintenance.Installation – Some designers might focus exclusively on installation.Design/Build – Design/Build indicates a firm that creates the landscape drawings and builds or installs the project.Design Only – A landscape firm that only creates designs is a Design Only business.There are several types of landscape design: LandscaperĪ landscaper is someone who designs, installs, and/or maintains a landscape but is not necessarily degreed, licensed, or registered. Landscape architects can work for both commercial and residential clients. They are not allowed to handle the landscape installation, although they may consult with their clients about the design focus during installation. California landscape designers are limited to residential conceptual drawings. Landscape designers are not required to have landscape design training or even horticultural experience, although they typically do.Īlso, in California, landscape designers are not allowed to create the construction drawings that a landscape architect can produce. In California, landscape architects must have a college education and meet the licensing requirements of the state. The difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer varies from state to state. In some states, they are not allowed to perform the installation.
They don’t typically handle the installation. In many states, they are limited by state law in the detail that they can display on a landscape drawing. They often have the reputation of being creative and knowing a lot about plants. Landscape designers may have a landscape or horticultural college degree or certificate or they may not. You hire them to create design drawings for your home garden. In California, landscape designers are not licensed or registered by the state. Sometimes they work with pre-existing landscape drawings created by other landscape professionals. They can create design drawings but they may not have training or education in landscape design. They may or may not have a college degree in landscaping. They typically have extensive experience installing new landscapes, modifying existing landscapes, and maintaining landscapes. Landscape contractors are licensed or registered in your state. You hire them for a high-level vision and accurate construction drawings. Landscape architects are typically more expensive than other garden designers. They don’t typically handle the installation, but they will assist you throughout that process. They create architectural landscape drawings for both commercial and residential landscapes. They may or may not have extensive knowledge about plants. Landscape architects have training in engineering, architecture, land grading, drainage, design, etc. Landscape architectĪ landscape architect is someone who has a college degree in landscape architecture and is registered or licensed by your state. Landscape architects, landscape contractors, and landscape designers are the most common types of garden designers. What is the difference? Who should I hire? What do landscape designers do? Read on to learn more.
What do landscapers mean when they say hardscape or softscape? There are different types of garden designers too – landscape architect, landscape contractor, landscape designer, and landscaper. The language of landscape design can be confusing.