If you’re looking to hire a landscape architect in Austin, Texas, there are a few crucial things you should know that most landscape architecture companies won’t tell you. 

(That’s because too many landscape architecture companies in Austin aren’t in the business of telling you the truth; they’re in the business of booking a job.)

After years of designing and building landscapes in Austin, here’s exactly what we think you need to know before hiring anyone for the job.

1. Don’t trust landscape companies that give you free design

You wouldn’t trust a plumber who came over to your house and fixed your plumbing for free, and you shouldn’t trust a landscape architect who lures you in with “free design.” Free design has very little thought, and with design being one of the most important parts of landscape architecture, it’s not the place to cut costs. 

Go for free design, and you’ll end up with plants that don’t screen your view from your neighbor’s prying eyes in the winter, a pickleball court that faces the wrong direction so you’re blinded when going for the ball, and a pool with stairs you constantly trip over, cursing your landscape architect’s name.

2. More expensive generally does mean better quality materials

My Austin landscape architecture clients ask me all the time, “Does expensive actually translate to better quality?” and I tell them that, yeah, for the most part, materials that cost more are higher quality. However, it’s not always that cut and dry because, in the right setting, a less expensive material can make more sense. 

For example, a nicer stone costs more, but it isn’t necessary for a driveway where concrete slab will work. But in an area of your backyard where you want to host cocktail parties, spending more on a nicer stone is the smartest choice. 

When selecting materials, you need to consider the bigger picture and choose ones that are practical, long-lasting, and timeless. A good landscape architect helps you do that (and has the hookups on suppliers and samples so you get the best deals and can place the material on site to get a feel for how you like it).

3. Be wary of landscape architects with personal agendas

Recently, I worked with a client who had fired her Austin landscape architecture company because she told them repeatedly she didn’t want 35 kinds of ornamental grass, she wanted grass her dog could go to the bathroom on… They insisted on planting 35 kinds of ornamental grass because it looked good. 

There are a lot of landscape architects who do what they want because it’s what will look best for their portfolio. 

However, at the end of the day, your yard isn’t an art piece; it’s an outdoor space you want to actually use. Don’t hire an Austin landscape architect who tells you no to something you truly want.

4. The best landscape architecture projects operate on mutual trust

The best landscape architects in Austin have smart, well-informed clients. Our clients are CEOs, who have built million and billion-dollar businesses and aren’t new to the world of design and construction. In other words, they’re intelligent people, and we trust their decisions and opinions. In turn, they trust us.

When trust doesn’t go both ways, a landscape architecture project becomes a nightmare for everyone involved. 

You’re hiring a landscape architect for your home in Austin for a reason; if you don’t trust them to be transparent with you and guide you through the entire process, don’t bother working with them. If your landscape architect doesn’t trust you? That’s a red flag as well. 

5. The process takes longer than you think 

If you want to be swimming in your backyard in May of 2027, you need to start in May of 2026. That’s just how it goes. 

When done the right way, a landscape architecture project takes time. Your property has to be surveyed, a design plan created, permits sorted, a team of experts hired, foundational elements handled (like irrigation and structural integrity), everything hardscaped, plants planted, lights installed, and more. 

Be wary of any Austin landscape architect telling you they can get something done absurdly quickly because they will have to cut corners to do so. 

6. Trying to go the “cheapest” route will cost you twice as much 

We get it, people are itching to dive right in and think they can hire a guy to do the pool and a separate guy to do the plants, and save money. 

What usually ends up happening? They end up with the biggest headache of their lives.  

They spend their entire budget building a pool and then realize they don’t have anything left over for grass or pathways. Or they dig a hole for the pool and realize it has to be moved 5 feet over. Or they cut down a protected tree, face a massive fine, and have their whole project come to a stop thanks to permit delays. (By the way, there are a lot of protected trees in Austin, Texas.)

Even if it costs more upfront, hiring a landscape architect who can focus on your whole yard, allocate your budget appropriately, handle permits, hire the expert minds needed for every aspect, and manage the actual build will save you money, time, and sanity in the long run.

Do it right or do it twice.

7. Most landscapes look their best 3-5 years later

Your outdoor space isn’t a photo hanging on a wall; it’s a living thing that grows and changes with the seasons. That’s why landscape architecture isn’t a one-and-done kind of deal; it requires year-round maintenance to maintain. 

We know that might not be what everyone wants to hear, but we’re telling you what other landscape architects in Austin, Texas won’t. 

The good news is, when you continually care for your outdoor space, it looks better and better.

8. A good Austin landscape architect isn’t only an architect

The best landscape architects know a lot about everything. 

They know that certain Austin plants aren’t evergreen, so if you’re looking to go au naturel in your pool backyard year-round, you shouldn’t plant something that loses its leaves in the winter. 

They pay attention to the direction of the sun so you don’t end up with a pickleball court that faces the wrong direction, having to play with light glaring in your eyes. 

They care about functionality, putting down astroturf instead of sensitive grass if your kid is a D1 soccer player who practices in the backyard. 

They’re knowledgeable about impervious coverage and permits. They negotiate deals, handle teams, and manage your entire project. They prioritize irrigation and drainage. 

The point is, landscape architects don’t recommend a fence; they know the materials that go into that fence, where the fence should be placed, what the fence will be used for, the best person to put in the fence, and how the fence will flow with the rest of the beautiful architecture of your Austin home. 

At least the best Austin landscape architects do.

Bottom line? Hiring the right Austin landscape architect makes a world of difference 

Hire the right people, and you’ll end up with an outdoor space that gets better every year. Hire the wrong team (or do it yourself), and you’ll face your dissatisfaction every time you step out the door. 

If you’re looking for the best Austin landscape architects there are, we’re tossing our hat in the ring. We know an exceptional outdoor space is a symphony of details, from function to fauna, all coming together. At Cooper & Company, exceptional is standard.  

That’s how we create outdoor experiences in Austin, Texas that are beautiful, timeless, and unparalleled. 

If that’s what you’re looking for, we’re here.