Guide · Updated October 16, 2026
9 questions to ask before hiring a landscape designer
What to ask a landscape designer on the first call, so you know what you are paying for and what you will get.
A landscape designer turns an idea into a plan a crew can build. The first call tells you most of what you need to know.
About the work
- Can I see finished projects close to the size and style I want?
- Do you also install, or do you hand the plan to a contractor?
- What do I get at the end: a drawing, a planting list, a materials list?
About the process
- How many rounds of changes are included?
- Will you visit the site, and do you measure it yourself?
- How do you plan for water use and our local climate?
About money
- Is your fee flat, hourly or a share of the build cost?
- What does a typical install cost for a plan like mine?
- What would make this project cost more than you expect?
A good sign
A good designer asks you as many questions as you ask them: how you use the yard, how much upkeep you want, and what you want it to look like in five years.