{"id":23873,"date":"2022-08-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/?p=23873"},"modified":"2023-02-10T06:12:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T12:12:23","slug":"what-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-landscape-design-architect-expert-for-your-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cadcrowd.com\/blog\/what-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-landscape-design-architect-expert-for-your-company\/","title":{"rendered":"What does it Cost to Hire a Landscape Design Architect Expert for your Company?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today’s post explores the average cost of hiring a landscape design architect for your company. Some architects build homes, offices, bridges, and skyscrapers. And some architects specialize in a more specific part of a building: the landscape. Whether you hire an architect or a designer, either will work to optimize your outdoor space and ensure that the house\u2019s exterior, interior, and surrounding environment complement each other. The landscape should be perfectly compatible with the homeowner\u2019s preference and the home design.<\/p>

\":rocket:\" Table of Contents<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

Landscaping rates & pricing<\/h2>

Landscape design architects<\/a> charge for their services based on various pricing structures. Some of the most common are as follows.<\/p>

Flat fee or lump sum <\/h3>

For the \u201cdesign only\u201d service, a landscape architect may be willing to charge a flat fee. At the lowest end of the spectrum\u2014that is, a simple project in a reasonably small space\u2014the cost is around $1,200<\/strong>. The design work for a complex landscaping project covering a large area and with a tight deadline can cost you $10,000<\/strong>. Bear in mind that the cost does not include the actual construction. <\/p>

RELATED: Billable rates for architect\u2019s design services, architectural costs & hourly fees<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

If you need the architect to provide supervisory services until project completion, chances are they will shift to an hourly rate pricing once they have completed the design structure. As long as you know how much time it will take to get the job done, the hourly rate helps you manage the expense well.<\/p>

Percentage of construction cost<\/h3>

During the planning phase, some architectural services<\/a> use the estimation of total construction cost to calculate their fee, which is quite commonly anywhere between ten percent and twenty percent of the total project cost. In a project estimated to cost $40,000<\/strong> with a fifteen percent fee, the architect earns $6,000<\/strong>. In a high-end project, the percentage tends to be smaller. For example, if an architect charges a ten percent fee for a landscaping project worth $300,000<\/strong>, they will earn $30,000<\/strong>.<\/p>

RELATED: Architectural plans, CAD drawing costs & architect service pricing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

Hourly rate<\/h3>

The average hourly rate for a landscape architect is between $70<\/strong> and $150<\/strong>. If the design firm\u2019s principal architect handles the project, the cost can increase to $200 or more<\/strong>. The hourly rate for a designer is from $50<\/strong> to $150<\/strong> since hiring an experienced drafting & design specialist<\/a> is more expensive than a junior architect\u2019s fee for the same landscaping project. To make homeowners feel more comfortable with the pricing structure, the professional may add a not-to-exceed clause in the contract\/agreement. The clause limits the project\u2019s price, preventing the cost from going out of control.<\/p>

Rate per square foot<\/h3>

Most architects do not use per sq. ft. pricing, and homeowners should only agree to use it if they know the exact measurements of the work area. Despite the name, landscape design architects <\/a>and designers will always consider the project\u2019s complexity. <\/p>

\"landscape<\/figure>

RELATED: How much do architectural design services cost for freelance design service firms?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

A simple rundown of a per sq. ft. fee based on the scope of work looks like this:<\/p>

Landscape Architect Fee<\/span><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Complexity<\/span><\/strong><\/td>Cost per sq. ft.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>Estimated total cost<\/span><\/strong><\/td>Design service<\/span><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Basic<\/td>< $70<\/strong><\/td>< $50k<\/strong><\/td>< $1,500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Mid-range<\/td>$70 – $140<\/strong><\/td>$50 – $100k<\/strong><\/td>$1,500 – $3,500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
High-end<\/td>$140 – $230<\/strong><\/td>$100k – $400k<\/strong><\/td>$3,500 – $10,000<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Luxury<\/td>$230+<\/strong><\/td>$400,000+<\/strong><\/td>$10,000+<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

A basic low-end landscaping project includes simple 3D yard design services<\/a> that does not use exquisite materials. On the other hand, a high-end or luxury project tends to cover patios, in-ground pools, decks, an addition, and perhaps an outdoor kitchen.<\/p>

RELATED: Hire a landscaping architect for CAD drafting & design work<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

The initial consultation is often charged by the hour at $50 more<\/strong> than the average hourly rate. Part of the consultation is a preliminary analysis of the work area. Based on their observations, the architect can determine the best lighting schemes, designs that complement the main building, the layout of the design elements, construction methods suitable for the soil type and condition, and overall project complexity and the expected completion date. <\/p>

Early estimate<\/h2>

An estimate should be available not long after the consultation and site visit. An early estimate may include many pages depending on project size, especially for commercial architectural services<\/a> or municipal buildings. For residential landscape, five to six pages should be more than enough to describe:<\/p>