Landscape Contractor vs. Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer: How to Choose?

What is a Landscape Contractor?

The best way to describe a Landscape Contractor in the State of California is someone who has completed their C-27 license. This license authorizes a professional to construct, maintain, repair or install landscaping. A Landscaping Contractor can install irrigation, build fences and decks, and construct hardscape like retaining walls and flagstone patios. Landscape contractors are allowed to design if they are the ones installing the project. C-27 license holders must secure a contractor bond of a minimum of $25,000 and general liability insurance.

What does one need to qualify for a C-27? To get a Landscaping Contractor’s License, one will need four years of experience at a journeyman level (ie. not an assistant). Three of those years can be substituted with a four-year degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, or related field. If someone meets those requirements, they can pay a $450 application fee to take a business test and a C-27 trade exam. If they pass and get their bonds/insurance, they are now a licensed landscaping contractor.

What does this mean? Being a landscaping contractor can mean a lot of things and there are many specialties. One C-27 contractor could specialize in just irrigation, another stonework, another decks. Having a C-27 doesn’t make someone an experienced designer, as planting design is not a requirement. Hardscape design takes up a small portion of the test. Landscape Contractors often hire or collaborate with landscape designers for the design portion of the project. Since there is such a broad range of experience, make sure to review portfolios for both design drawings AND installation before making your choice.

Any project in California where the materials and labor costs exceed $1,000, the law requires the installer to be a licensed landscaping contractor.

What is a Landscape Architect?

A landscape architect is a state licensed professional who designs and plans outdoor spaces, but they are not licensed to build them. Installation requires a landscape contractor. Most landscape architects have completed a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, and many have gone on to complete their master’s degree. Landscape architecture was recently reclassified as a STEM degree because it deals with our planet’s vital resources. Landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary degree that usually combines design, plant knowledge, environmental stewardship, soil science, and urban community health.

To be a landscape architect in the state of California, one needs six years of qualifying education and training experience in landscape architecture. Applicants are required to work at least one year under the supervision of another landscape architect. Once someone has that experience, they can take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) and the California Supplemental Examination (CSE). The LARE is a four-part intensive exam designed to determine that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to provide landscape architectural services without endangering the public. In addition to passing the LARE, in the state of California, applicants also have to take another exam (the CSE) to prove that they understand California laws and regulations. 

Each of the four sections of the LARE costs $535 per attempt, and each section has a pass rate of around 60%. The CSU costs $500 to attempt. In total, applicants to the landscape architecture license can expect to pay $2640 and that’s if they pass every section the first time. Some applicants are able to get the test costs covered by their employers. These pricey tests ensure that anyone who passes has the skills to safely design a landscape, for both residential and commercial projects.

At the end of the day, to get a project done you have to hire both a landscape architect and a landscape contractor to actually get your design built.

What is a Landscape Designer?

Landscape designers, like me, are unlicensed professionals who specialize in garden design and horticulture. Landscape designers are not allowed to build projects if labor and materials cost over $1000 combined. We are allowed to create concept designs, planting layouts, and plant lists for residential projects. We can design patios and place objects, but the construction drawings are left to the contractor.

Like landscape architects, landscape designers rely on landscape contractors for projects to get built. However, landscape designers are not allowed to instruct contractors as that makes them susceptible to liability. Landscape designers are hired by the residential client, and so are the landscape contractors. After the design is completed, the client shops around for a contractor and the contractor builds the design. The most a landscape designer can do is sell the client the plants for the design (with a valid seller’s permit and resale certificate) and place the plants on site. The landscape designer can also walk the project with the client to give feedback to the client directly.

Since landscape designers are not licensed by the state, do your research and check portfolios before hiring one. Make sure you see an example of a top-down concept plan, a side view concept section, plant palettes they have done in the past, and any examples of their work if it has gotten built. These are the most common deliverables for any landscape design project and are what you are paying for. Make sure that they are in your contract (and make sure that there is a contract).

Many landscape designers have studied landscape architecture (like myself), and are very experienced and knowledgeable. Some are not. As a landscape designer that works with contractors to get projects built, I have not felt a need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on licensing. That may change someday! At this time, I’m a happy freelancer who definitely qualifies to become a landscaping contractor, but hiring an installation team to do that is a whole other ballgame.

How do you decide who to choose for your project?

You can have a beautiful garden designed and installed by any combination of the following: just a landscape contractor, a landscape architect and landscape contractor, or landscape designer and landscape contractor. What matters the most is what they are like to work with and their past work. Always check references, reviews, portfolio, education, and experience before making your final decision. And to always get a contract.

Questions? Get in touch and I’d be happy to send you more information and resources.

This is not legal advice! Check your state licensure requirements, limitations and regulations to get the most accurate information.