What Kind of LandscapeProfessionals Do you Need?

Many homeowners are in need of someone to work on their yard, enhance outdoor features, or build new ideas from scratch. In the world of landscaping, there are many options on who to hire, but most don’t know the difference between the titles of Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer and Landscape Contractor. So what kind of Landscape professionals do you need for your home project? Read below to find out:

Types of Landscape Professionals:

Landscape Architect

A Landscape Architect is the culmination of all three landscape professionals titles. The scope of the profession includes landscape design, site planning,  environmental restoration, parks and recreation planning, visual resource management, green infrastructure planning and provision, and private estate and residence landscape master planning and design. All skills in varying scales of design, planning and management (1). They have a degree in Landscape Architecture by a program approved by the Landscape Architectural Landscape Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architect. They have typically had an apprenticeship under a licensed Landscape Architect, and had obtained a license from Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board. In a nutshell, a Landscape Architect is a one-stop-shot for all outdoor needs.

Landscape Designer

Landscape design focuses on both the integrated master landscape planning of a property and the specific garden design of landscape elements and plants within it. The practical, aesthetic, horticultural, and environmental sustainability are also components of landscape design (2). However no certification, license or education is required other than a business license depending on Location, because of this, they often collaborate with a Landscape Architect.

Landscape Contractor

Landscape Contracting is a profession that involves the art and technology of landscape and garden project planning, construction and landscape management, and maintenance and gardening; for garden aesthetics, human enjoyment and safety, and ecosystem-plant community sustainability (3). They are typically licensed and bonded through a State Contractors governing Boar and have varying degrees of education and experience.

The type of landscape professional you need will depend on the scale of the job. Landscape contractors are great for lawn maintenance, while the Landscape Architect is a one-stop-shop for designing, creating, and building projects from start to finish.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape_architecture

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape_design

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape_contracting