Landscape architect wants nonrefundable deposit for proposal

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I am looking to redo all my landscape and hardscaping (front, back, pool, decks, etc.). There is a landscape architect I really like but we can't get past Go because he wants a $2,000 nonrefundable deposit to give me a proposal. There is another guy I like, who isn't as "decorated," but he gave me a full proposal including an animated 3D design. He didn't ask for anything up front.

All things being equal I'd probably go with the first guy but with no proposal (he's shown me lots of dazzling projects he's done) it's hard to cut a check with so much unknown.

Is it standard practice to require such a big deposit up front just to get off the ground?

Featured Answer

PRO

Classic Home Improvements

6 years ago

In any remodeling situation it’s important to compare business-model to business-model.

It’s likely the company that is asking for the $2,000 will be preparing a detailed perspective drawing and architectural plans that can be submitted for any permitting requirements. You will be given a fixed price that doesn’t change...unless you make a change.

A company providing design services is also doing a lot more hand-holding and has (typically) an experienced team member (designer) working with them.

The GC who gave you a quote without asking for a design agreement is likely a smaller company without the staff support to help with the fancy design and the experience of a designer. (I am Not bashing!! I respect both business models) They could both do an absolutely amazing job, but one acts as a General Contractor and the other as a Design-Build company. I hope that makes sense. It’s all about what you need. Do you need help designing the space? Do you want help selecting the materials? Some people don’t and that’s when it’s usually a good idea to hire a smaller company. Just my two cents. Good luck in whichever decision you make!

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Comments (6)

uscpsycho
Original Author
6 years ago
You are partially right.

The guy asking $2,000 up front has an office (the other has a staff but no central office) but they are both providing design services.

The guy who wants the deposit told me that it won't get me anything nearly as detailed as I already have from the other guy. It won't be architectural plans that could be submitted for permitting. The $2,000 will get me a less detailed concept and then if I agree to use him (sign a contract and make a payment) he'll produce a more detailed design. So it feels like I'm paying him $2,000 to share what's floating around in his brain.

The $2K guy has all the licenses (pool, etc.) and will be doing everything in-house. I don't think the other guy holds all the licenses so he will be subbing out some of the stuff.

Now that I think about it, I think he originally asked for $3,000 and then when I balked he came down to $2,000. That's not a lot of money with respect to the project as a whole but it's a sh*t ton of money if I lose it because I'm not so impressed with his proposal and decide to go with the other guy.
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anj_p
6 years ago
when we did our landscaping and paver patio we got 3 quotes that ran the gamut. one guy did a sketch on a legal pad, one refused to sketch or give detailed lists for anything, and the one we eventually hired did a beautiful detailed plan in color with all plants labeled. he wouldn't let us have the plan unless we paid a deposit (I think it was $500). we happily paid it, then ended up just hiring him for the whole job because we were so impressed.
you're talking to a landscape architect, though, which is a degreed and licensed profession, so I'm not surprised he asked for a proposal fee.
PRO
Derviss Design
6 years ago
Just about all of my peers in the landscape architectural design business require a retainer fee prior to starting a project. As to the amount, it often is dependent on the scope of the project. $2K seems modestly low in my neck of the woods ( San Francisco Bay Area) as a retainer for a pool, patio, decks project.

Now if your Landscape Architect requires $2 K just for the proposal for services, I would say that is rather uncommon . But if the designer has a stellar reputation, they can set the terms of their proposal and you can agree or go someplace else. That's the beauty of a free market , you have a choice and so does the designer.
uscpsycho thanked Derviss Design
User
6 years ago
Have you asked the expensive guy about what happens if you see his proposal and want to make adjustments? would that be included?
PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
"The guy who wants the deposit told me that it won't get me anything nearly as detailed as I already have from the other guy." What do you already have from "the other guy"? ... A concept that you like? You haven't said anything about both candidate's ability to solve problems in a way that seems appealing to you, which would be a main thing. Have you seen examples of their work, either in real life or photos?