What can a Landscape Architect do for me?

• Landscape Architects are trained to take your brief and use their imagination and expertise to look beyond the immediate requirements to design attractive functional spaces that will meet long term as well as immediate needs, whether for a private client or in the public realm.
  
• Landscape Architects solve problems creatively, and can manage your project from inception to completion, where necessary co-ordinating or acting as part of a team of specialist consultants.
  
• Chartered Landscape Architects offer a wide range of services relating to the planning, design and management of the urban and rural environment. These include:
  
  · project management
  · site appraisals/surveys/investigations
  · feasibility studies/budget estimates
  · advice on statutory constraints & requirements
  (eg Construction Design and Management Regs, Environmental Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal)
  · landscape character assessment
  · landscape planning and strategy
  · land management planning
  · public consultation/community liaison
  · preparation of design briefs/masterplans/design frameworks
  · research/production of reports
  · outline/illustrative proposals
  · submission of planning applications
  · planning negotiations & appeals
  · Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
  · detailed design – hard and soft landscape
  · production information/contract documentation
  · cost estimation/financial control
  · tendering/selection & appointment of contractors
  · contract administration/supervision
  · commissioning works of art
  · maintenance and management plans

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Where can I find a landscape consultant?

• The Landscape Institute maintains a register of landscape consultancies including details of their particular areas of expertise.
  
  Click here to access the LI Practice Register.

How do I go about using a landscape consultant?

• The basic principles of engaging a landscape consultant are similar to those that apply to the appointment of any other professional adviser. As Client, you will need to consider:
  
  · selection of the most appropriate consultant to suit your particular needs
  · the brief (specification of Client requirements)
  · method of appointment (the Landscape Institute’s standard Memorandum of Agreement is recommended, and all Chartered Landscape Architects will be familiar with this)
  · calculation of fees (eg hourly rate, lump sum, percentage)
  · communication (methods, frequency, responsibilities)
  · co-ordination with other consultants/advisers (if applicable)
  
• The level of detail and formality of each of these points is likely to vary with the scale and complexity of the required task, but in all cases there needs to be a clear and documented understanding between Client and consultant covering as a minimum:
  
  · what the consultant will do for the Client
  · what the Client will pay the consultant
  · when the required work will be completed
  
• More detailed guidance is available from the Landscape Institute, www.landscapeinstitute.org.

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