Is there a such thing as an exterior designer?

September 28, 2007 7:54 AM

I like the HGTV show "Curb Appeal" and I'm familiar with most of the actual trades involved with redoing the front of a house, but where do you find a designer to handle it all?

I understand there are landscape designers, concrete/hardscape designers, people that do lighting and irrigation, but I'm talking about the designers on the show that run the projects. How are they listed in the phonebook or what do they call themselves? I mean I've heard of interior designers but I've never heard of an exterior designer, which they seem to be.

I'm looking for some guidance on freshening up my house (new garage door, maybe new front door to match, thinking about a new path to the front door and how we could reconfigure the lawn) and I'd love to get some ideas/drawings/plans from a designer like one on the show but I don't know what sort of designer to look for exactly.

posted by mathowie to home & garden (9 comments total)

I would think a landscape architect could design the entire project. They are trained to deal in hardscapes, not just plant material. Here is landscape architect in Oregon.
posted by LoriFLA at 8:06 AM on September 28, 2007

Well darn. I linked too fast. It seems that she is just a landscape designer. But she does engage in hardscapes and "curb appeal"
posted by LoriFLA at 8:09 AM on September 28, 2007

American Society of Landscape Architects
posted by glibhamdreck at 8:28 AM on September 28, 2007

Get either an Architect or a Landscape Architect.
posted by signal at 8:32 AM on September 28, 2007

Not to steal the topic - but how much does that type of service cost? I need a plants removed and replaced, sprinklers installed, a driveway redone, a patio enlarged, maybe the addition of a hot tub and grill area. Eventually, I'll need to paint the house and trim too.

My yard isn't large and it doesn't look bad now. However, I'd like to step it up to the super yard! I can't figure out how to design what I really want. If possible I'd like to make the changes over a few summers.

Is that a job for a Landscape Architect? Do they do the design only or the work too? Any referrals for the San Diego area?
posted by 26.2 at 8:48 AM on September 28, 2007

Architects and Landscape Architects often work in tandem, or can give referrals. Landscape Designers are unlicensed people who may range wildy in their abilities- they can also design hardscapes (I'm a landscape designer and have designed and installed hardscape + planting plans). It's also not unheard of for landscape designers to help with other parts of your outdoor design- they would just work with a contractor who installs doors, for example. I've painted decks, had walls refinished and designed privacy panels for designs I've made; I'm sure there are other landscape designers and architects out there who would do the same. I would head over to an upscale nursery or design center and ask for referrals. Here in the Bay Area, online presence for people in the landscape profession is hit-or-miss, if Oregon is anything like it is here, you're going to have to venture out into the real world to find people.

Email's in profile if you have more questions.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:45 AM on September 28, 2007

26.2- LAs don't do the actual work, a contractor will do the work. LDs who work independently will sometimes do work, but they will often work with a contractor as well. I worked as a designer and landscpaer for a design-build firm, essentially a contractor with an in house designer.

Without even seeing your yard, considering all the stuff you want, I would start thinking in terms of upwards from 40,000. Generally speaking, hardscape costs more than softscape (plants and lawn). You may be able to save some money on the design- perhaps by working with a student. I strongly advise you not to skimp on the contractor, though. Get itemized bids from at least three licensed and bonded contractors. Their prices can vary radically, but I would be wary of any contractor that seems extremely cheap. Badly poured driveways and lousy irrigation and planting jobs will cost you more in the long run.

Oh, and don't work with any contractor who does planting jobs without getting a soil test.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:25 AM on September 28, 2007

There are some designers who will do it all too. Topiarius in Chicago does the whole thing...the design, the hardscape, the softscape, the maintenance. So does Kurt Susanke in Woodstock, Illinois. (Here and here.) Kurt studied art and agriculture in the states AND in China. Sometimes they will even consult on choosing exterior lighting or other exterior changes, as well as outdoor furniture.

A whole redesign is not cheap. Not just because of the cost of materials. There is a ton of knowledge and experience that you have to have to do this well. The science of agriculture, the engineering of hardscaping, the science of water/runoff/drainage, and the art of pulling the whole thing together. They often have a warranty on plants and trees for a certain amount of time and will replace them when they die. A completely redone backyard urban garden can easily run five figures and is well worth the result.
posted by jeanmari at 5:51 PM on September 28, 2007

"when they die" should be IF they die.
posted by jeanmari at 5:52 PM on September 28, 2007