Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need A Landscape Architect?
Landscape architects have experience and training to work with challenging issues in both commercial and residential sites, including:

  • Steep Slopes

  • Retaining walls

  • Irrigation and drainage systems

  • Designing outdoor structures

  • Solving elevation problems

  • Designing or giving advice on where to place service lines, entries, driveways, and parking areas.

Our licensed landscape architects plan and design private and public outdoor spaces, such as parks, campuses, residential/commercial gardens, cemeteries, commercial centers, resorts, transportation facilities, and waterfront developments. Education in and respect for historic landscapes and cultural resources has allowed BDC landscape architects to work on preservation planning projects for national, state, and local historic outdoor sites and areas.

What Do Our Landscape Architects Do?

BDC offers a full suite of landscape architectural services spanning all scales. Our landscape architects design attractive and functional public parks, gardens, playgrounds, residential areas, college campuses, and public spaces. We also plan the locations of buildings, roads, walkways, and landscape plantings within these environments. Landscape architects also form teams with allied design professionals, such as architects, civil engineers, and structural engineers in order to fulfill a full compliment of design services.

I’ve Never Hired A Landscape Architect. How Does The Process Work?

Our scope of work will depend on the overall area, programmatic needs, and site complexity.

After we’ve had an on-site meeting with you to discuss your needs, your aesthetic, and your budget range we will submit a fee proposal outlining our scope of work. Once you’ve signed our contract we begin the design process. As an example, a typical residential design process is threefold:

  • Meeting 1: Presentation of conceptual designs. Photographic precedents for overall look and feel, materials, and plants will be shared to convey ideas. With your review and feedback, we will continue design refinement.

  • Meeting 2: A refined plan will be presented for final approval, along with additional information for the selection of materials and finishes.

  • Meeting 3: A detailed set of construction documents will be provided, including a layout and materials plan, a drainage plan, a landscape planting plan, and an irrigation plan. Construction details for special elements will be provided as well. The plans will have quantities for contractors to price (contractor responsible for verifications of quantities). From there, we can assist in bidding and construction observation as needed.

What Should I Expect To Pay?

Our project fee for non-residential landscape architectural work is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Our project fee for residential landscape design begins at $4,250, depending on the area, the number of programmatic elements, and the complexity of the site.

The key to a beautiful and successful landscape is careful planning and design to ensure maximum value for the dollars you invest.

How Long Is The Design-Build Process?

The time frame for creating a residential design can vary significantly but typically spans 3-12 weeks. Depending on our current workload, your project may not begin until a few weeks after the initial consultation and contract signing. We will provide you with an estimate of how long the design process will take during the initial consultation.

Does Landscaping Add Value To A Home Appraisal?

A recent study in Money magazine states landscaping increases the recovery value of a home by 100 to 200 percent at selling time. Another study reported high-quality landscaping adds about 15% to its price.

If you don’t have immediate plans to sell, all the better. Landscaping is the one home improvement that actually appreciates over time. A mature garden adds even more to your home’s value. So plant now, enjoy your beautiful outdoor space, and then reap the benefits when it’s time to sell.

If you are interested in residential landscape design, BDC is well equipped to design any outdoor living space that will not only add value to your property but also extend your living space while allowing you to enjoy all that nature has to offer.