Working with Design Professionals

Learn how to hire design professionals, and what services they can offer in the development of your project. Understand what makes for a good design professional, and when you need to bring them on board.

Finding the Right Fit

A certified professional will help to carry your project forward to the “build” phase. So where do you begin to look for a design professional? Many school districts will have recommended landscape architects that they have worked with in the past, and this is always a great place to start. You will need to communicate directly with your individual school district or school authority to get this information.

It is a good idea to speak to more than one design professional about your project, and to have conversations about your goals and budget. Don’t hesitate to ask for references, and particularly references that worked with the design professional on similar projects to your own. This step isn’t as critical if you are working off a list of recommended design professionals provided by the district.

What you are looking for is a design professional who has the right balance of design ability, professional service, and the ability to work to a budget. Ultimately, this comes down to personal comfort and whom you feel will be the best fit for the project. Look for someone who has a strong understanding of how the school environment works, and the needs of the school community.

What specific services will a landscape architect bring to your project? Landscape architects may provide a range of services depending on your needs, including planning and design, budget consultation, analysis and studies, preparation of construction drawings, contract administration, and construction reviews.