For most residential yards, a landscape designer is the right choice, especially one in a design-build firm that can also build the project. Hire a landscape architect for large, public, commercial or approval-heavy work. In Ontario only OALA members can use the title landscape architect, and retaining walls over 1 m next to public property or building access need an engineer.
Key takeaways
For most residential yards in Midland and Georgian Bay, a landscape designer is the right choice: designers plan gardens, patios, planting and outdoor living spaces, and many work inside design-build firms that also do the construction. A landscape architect is worth hiring when the project is large, public or technically complex, such as a commercial site, a multi-unit development, or work that needs municipal site plan approval and professional sign-off. In Ontario, the title "landscape architect" is reserved for members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA); "landscape designer" is not a regulated title.
Below we compare the two roles, explain where each fits, and cover how to prepare for a landscape design project.
What is a Landscape Architect?
A landscape architect is a professional who designs outdoor spaces at every scale, from private estates to parks, campuses and streetscapes, balancing appearance, function, grading, drainage and environmental requirements. In Ontario, using the title requires full membership in the OALA.
Definition, Education, Skills
Landscape architects typically complete an accredited bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture, followed by supervised work experience and professional exams before full membership. They are trained in site analysis, grading and stormwater, planting design, construction documents and planning policy, which is why municipalities and developers often require their drawings for site plan approvals.
What is a Landscape Designer?
Landscape designers focus mainly on residential projects: front and back yards, cottage properties, planting plans, patios, walkways and outdoor living areas. No licence is required to work as a landscape designer in Ontario. Many have college diplomas in landscape design or horticulture, and some hold voluntary certifications through industry associations. Designers who work within a design-build company, as ours do, often bring hands-on construction knowledge to the drawings.
Key Differences Between Landscape Architects and Landscape Designers
Scope of Work
Landscape architects handle larger, more complex and public projects, and can produce the stamped drawings some approvals require. Designers focus on residential spaces, where the main goals are layout, materials, planting and how the space will be used.
Cost and process
Landscape architects usually charge professional fees for design and documentation, separate from construction. Designers working inside a design-build firm often fold design into the overall project, and the same team then builds it. For a typical residential yard, that tends to be the simpler and less expensive route.
Engineering is a separate question
Some landscape elements need an engineer no matter who designs them. Under the Ontario Building Code, a retaining wall more than 1 m high next to public property, access to a building, or private property the public is admitted to is a designated structure that needs a building permit and an engineered design. Large septic, structural or shoreline work can also need engineering. A good designer will tell you when that applies.
Site Analysis and Assessment
Soil Testing
Testing soil composition and drainage capabilities informs plant selection and placement, and tells you whether grading or drainage work has to come first.
Measuring the site
Whoever you hire, the design starts with accurate measurements: areas, slopes and the volumes of material needed. You can get a head start by measuring the yard yourself, which makes the first meeting more productive and the first quote more accurate. The drawing below shows the method we use.
Field drawing 01 · Measuring
Measure area, slope and volume before you order
Three numbers drive every landscape quote: square metres, fall and cubic metres.
Swipe to see the full drawing →
- Split odd shapes. Break the yard into rectangles, triangles and circle segments, measure each, then add them.
- Level a string line. Stretch it between two stakes and set a line level in the middle so the string is dead level.
- Measure down at each stake. The difference is the rise. Divide by the run between stakes and multiply by 100 for percent.
- Volume = area × depth. Convert depth to metres first. Tell the supplier the compacted depth you need.
- Check against the standard. In Midland, grass must fall at least 2% away from buildings and hard surfaces at least 1%.
The slope measurement matters most. It tells the designer where water will go, whether a patio needs steps or a wall, and whether the lot meets drainage minimums. In Midland, grass areas should fall at least 2% away from buildings, and hard surfaces at least 1%.
Hardscape and Softscape Integration
Balance Between Elements
A good design balances hardscape (patios, paths, walls) with softscape (plants, lawns). Too much hard surface makes a yard hot and drains poorly; too little leaves it hard to use.
Trends in Landscape Design
Material Trends
Popular materials for hardscaping include natural stone, large-format pavers and permeable paving, often paired with native planting that needs less water.
Planning a 2027 project with a landscape architect or landscape designer
Design is the part of a landscape project you can finish over the winter, and it is the part that sets the schedule for everything else. If you want construction in 2027, start talking to designers or landscape architects now. Gather what you already have: a property survey, photos of problem areas, a rough budget, and a list of how you want to use the space. Decide early whether the project needs a landscape architect, for example because it is commercial or needs site plan approval, or whether a designer is the better fit.
Allow a few weeks to a couple of months for design and revisions, and longer if permits or engineering are involved. Ground in Simcoe County usually thaws in late April or May, and contractors' calendars fill quickly after that, so having a finished design and any permits in hand by early spring puts your build near the front of the line. For 2027 designs, we suggest asking for 3D visuals before you sign off, so you can see grades, wall heights and planting at full size rather than guessing from a plan.
- Find your survey and photograph problem areas this winter.
- Decide whether the project needs an architect, a designer or an engineer.
- Set a budget range before the first meeting.
- Finish design and permits by early spring.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landscape architect for my backyard?
Usually not. For most residential yards, a landscape designer, especially one working in a design-build firm, can plan and build the project. A landscape architect makes more sense for large, public, commercial or approval-heavy projects.
Is "landscape architect" a protected title in Ontario?
Yes. Only members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects can call themselves landscape architects in Ontario. "Landscape designer" is not a regulated title.
Can a landscape designer design a retaining wall?
A designer can lay out low garden walls. A wall over 1 m high next to public property, building access or private property open to the public is a designated structure under the Ontario Building Code and needs an engineered design and a building permit.
What is the difference between a landscape designer and a landscaper?
A designer plans the space and produces drawings; a landscaper or landscape contractor builds it. Design-build firms do both.
Choosing the right professional
Match the professional to the project. For a residential yard, a landscape designer who knows local conditions and can see the job through construction is usually the best fit. For large, public or approval-driven work, bring in a landscape architect, and an engineer where the Code requires one. For a deeper look at the Ontario rules, read our guide to landscape designer vs. landscape architect in Ontario, or see how our 3D landscape design process works.
Planning a project this season?
We’ll walk the site, scope it properly and give you a straight price.
Mark and Matt are amazing. Not only do they do high-quality work, but they are also collaborative every step of the way. They are also great at problem-solving for unforeseen issues, or if you are just stuck on what to do in a certain area. I highly recommend Forty-Five Scapes for your landscaping needs.
Frequently asked questions
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