What are landscape professionalqs? What are landscapers? Landscape architects, landscape designers and landscape contractors perform various but overlapping landscaping services. Landscape architects require a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in landscape architecture in addition to compete an intern Development Program (IDP) and must pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) to obtain a architecture license. These landscape professionals work on a variety of project such as types and scales, from designing and implementing a residential yard to planning big commercial transportation facilities, resorts and waterfront developments. Landscape designers do not require a formal education. Designers typically work on small-scale or residential projects and may not necessarily work with landscape contractors after they complete the design process. Landscape contractors implement the vision of the architects or designers by building the structures and incorporating the hardscape and botanical elements. Landscape contractors also can limit their business to maintenance of yards and gardens like lawn care experts and gardeners do.
In a way, landscape architects and designers are the landscape artists that plant the beauty on the canvas of your landscape. They both help identify and plan how a yard will be used and provide recommendations for planting, creating spaces and hardscaping options. Typically, landscape designers develop the design using scaled illustrative drawings and 3d computer renderings, and then, draft dimensioned plans and details for use by landscape contractors or installation crews. Further, landscape architects or designers will provide completed landscape design drawings and a proposed landscape construction schedule for you. Landscape contractors build, install and maintain the landscape design elements such as decks, walkways, driveways, patios, plants, fireplaces, fire pits, trees, water fountains, lighting and more. In all, landscaping include from planning to designing to building to installing to maintaining your landscape.
