Too High??: Landscape Plan at $65/hr

[BTPankow]

Help! I'm a homeowner who talked with a landscape architect today. I've
asked him to do a plan for our backyard. He said he charged $65/hr to do
the plans and gave me the impression that it might take 2-3 hrs. Is that
high or is that completely reasonable? I haven't comparison-shopped. We
live in Baton Rouge if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Catherine

[Fragaria]

I am involved in the industry in North Carolina as a landscape designer. I
spend more than 2-3 hours on my computer generated 2 dimensional drawings
and usually charge between $200-& 300. His price if it stays around 200 is
reasonable.

[:]

In <4m3cav$p...@newsbf02.news.aol.com> btpa...@aol.com (BTPankow)
writes:

No that is not high, but keep in mind, most (I didnt say ALL) landscape
architects do not know horticulture. They do not know plants. They
know about structure, basically. If you are sure you have an
architect, and not a designer, the price is average. If you have a
garden designer, it is a bit high. If you get a drawing with it in
detail, it is even more attractive regardless if a designer or
architect does it.
Victoria*

[robert_harris_stoertz]

btpa...@aol.com (BTPankow) wrote:

>He said he charged $65/hr to do
>the plans and gave me the impression that it might take 2-3 hrs.

$200 doesn't sound unreasonable to me, but I'd ask to see a sample of
what I was getting for that.
Regards, Robert

[martin kosiak]

btpa...@aol.com (BTPankow) wrote:
>Help! I'm a homeowner who talked with a landscape architect today. I've

>asked him to do a plan for our backyard. He said he charged $65/hr to do

>the plans and gave me the impression that it might take 2-3 hrs. Is that
>high or is that completely reasonable? I haven't comparison-shopped. We
>live in Baton Rouge if that makes a difference.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Catherine

Landscape architects are architects. They get a four year degree. They
are primarily used to design physical things, like walls, fences. They
can design gardens and things like that but they generally charge more
for that service.

Also if he is only giving 2-3 hours worth of his time. Then you are
paying more becuase the job is so short.

Martin

[Caspian]

As a Masters Student in the Scool of Landscape Architecture at the
University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario, Canada) I am rather suprised at
some of the misconceptions the lay public have towards my profession.

Firstly we are DESIGNERS. Landscape Architecture like the architectural
profession is a design profession. It is a melding of the physical sciences
and the art of aesthetics. However we are NOT architects as one
commentor noted.

Secondly we are bound by a code of ethics and in most provinces and
states we are licenced to practice and governed by a board as are other
professionals. Because of our code of ethics we can not ethically accept
a task for which we are not qualified. That is concidered professional
misconduct and is a sactionable offence ie the LA could lose their
licence and or open themselves to legal action. We not only go through
years of formal university training at a professionally accredited
institution but a professional apprenticeship as well. And in many
states and in the provice of Ontario we must also complete a set of exams
known as the LARE exam before we caqn even call ourselves Landscape
Architects.

Landscape designers are not licenced, are not technically professionals.
Any one can call themselves a Landscape Designer whether trained as such
or not. Generally they are
trained at the college level and receive 2 to 3 years of training. They
are not bound by a code of ethics and in most cases are not licenced or
responsible to an organization that governs their vocational behavior.

It is true that some LA's are horticulturally ignorant. We are not all
gardeners. But because of our code it is unethical for an LA to accept
such a job if he/she is not qualified to do so.

We deal with all aspects of landscape . Everything from the hard
elements: Fences, walls, walks, drives and stairs to the softer
elements: water, plants, etc.

We deal with varing scales as well. LA's
can design residential spaces but we also deal with complex urban spaces,
design subdivisions, Large scale regional and national parks, landuse
studies and also deal with environmental reconstruction and
restoration.

An LA will charge more for their services. Are you paying too much?
Thats for you to decide. Your the one hiring the person. Ask to see their
portfolio of similar work. Talk to their clients. Are they pleased with
the results. As a consumer you should take some responsibility.

I do have a one concern however....it takes longer than 2-3 hours to
fully design a yard beyond a conceptual stage. Just what is it that you are
paying for? Complete drawings? A Master Plan? A Concept plan? A
Planting Plan?

Get clear and concise answers....sign a contract.

Later

Bruce

_____________________________________________________________________

All the Birds in the forest they bitterly weep
Saying "where shall we shelter; where shall we sleep?"
For the Oak and the Ash they are all cutten down
And the walls of bonny Portmore are all down to the ground.

[:]

In <4maqju$7...@ccshst05.uoguelph.ca> bdou...@uoguelph.ca (Caspian)
writes:

>
>
>Firstly we are DESIGNERS. Landscape Architecture like the
architectural
>profession is a design profession.

Correct. I didnt say architects werent designers. I said designers
arent architects. Big diff.

>Landscape designers are not licenced, are not technically
professionals.
>Any one can call themselves a Landscape Designer whether trained as
such
>or not.

Exactly. I was just trying to warn the person of such 'designers.'
Landscape architects are brilliant, in my opinion. I never meant to
take away from this most wonderful profession. Beatrix Ferraund (sp?)
has done some of my most favorite public works...Sorry if I said
anything to give the impression the profession was faulty.

Animaux

[terry smith]

Landscape Architects are NOT architects; we are LANDSCAPE architects.
Sure, we design built elements in the outdoor setting: decks, arbors,
trellises, gazebos, fences, and so on. However, we also do site
design, grading and drainage, master plans and planting plans for very
large scale, and some not-so-large-scale projects. We can help a
homeowner or any other do-it-yourselfer with plant selection for your
property. I've worked with several residential clients in the past who
had literally planted and re-planted their properties several times
because they did not know about the "right plant for the right place"
principle, nor were they aware of basic design principles concerning
form, color, line and texture. They literally wasted thousands of
dollars in plant materials since they were utilizing plants that
shouldn't have been there in the first place. We LAs work with clients
to learn what they like and want to see in their personal landscape
and then help them realize that vision. We are facilitators and
listeners and designers plus many more things. As for the cost, what
the prior poster mentioned is fair. Obviously, it varies from region
to region and even city to city. But remember, an LA is a professional
and generally worth the price to help you avoid expensive mistakes.
HTH,
Terry