Yeah, for that amount, I'd just have to go back to him and say something like "I don't feel that you worked with me enough to know what I want and this plan is not going to work for me."

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what to say about it being so expensive ... or if he'll charge you more to "fix" it. But you know, I am confident that you know what to say about that.

I think the lesson for others here is to set expectations, but sometimes people can be so intimidating that you just let them do their thing.

I will say that I paid more than I wanted to several years ago because someone charged me by the hour (plus a trip charge), but even so it was about $450. What will all the measuring and drawing, I guess it just takes time in some cases.

Have you inspected properties designed by this person? Years ago in Southern California, as a fairly new gardener I was shocked when three friends straight paid big money and ended up with what even I felt were mediocre, poor, and horribly poor designs from licensed landscape architects who were recommended to them or taken from newpaper articles (if their designs are in the paper they must be good, right?). If you feel your designer actually has both talent and competence, that'd be worth hanging onto. But that this person surely must have known (?) you were a *Gardener* and proceeded in that way seems like a big red flag. Best wishes in moving forward. I'm one of those waiting to see your next gorgeous garden.

yo, when we did our yard 3 years ago we asked 3 landscape designers to do a plan based on what we wanted and our budget. Each came to the yard and spoke to us. We also had some others we asked but they were only interesed in doing what they wanted for a lot more $$$.

Two of the three did a plan, but one didn't really do what we wanted (and they were kind of snobby) the other one gave us one good plan, but then had plan 'B' which was extremely nice, but again way over our budget (they try to entice you with the plan to spend more)

The third didn't have a plan at all. He was a local guy, really down to earth. He showed up on time, did what we wanted within our budget. When he came upon some drainage issues he discused with me that he felt more work was needed and it would be extra (I agreed). He came back to replace some dogwoods that didn't make it (Unfortunately the replacements didn't make it either - so we gave up). All in all we were happy. We didn't get a 'done' yard because we could not afford it, but we got the most bang for our buck and the yard it still a WIP and coming along.

It all depends on what you want. We told each person to only do $500 worth of work on the plan and that was all we would pay.