WOW I have no idea we need at least pictures of the space . 2300 sq ft is not a huge space if a pool is already there so a to scale plan showing the pool in scale is a must . Also what rooms of the home face this space , Do you want an outdoor kitchen , seating area etc . Too little info to even begn to understand cost. I have a 5000 sq ft back yard that at the moment is all gravel and if I did a pool it would take 1/2 of that for the pool and the code for space around it . So pictures and at least a rough to scale drawing show the pool and the house

Does that cost include materials? You might be able to save money by purchasing the plans only and managing the execution of the work yourself.

If you've seen work done by this landscape design firm and its really to your liking than for a backyard you really love it might be worth the price.

I don't thing olive tree roots are particularly agressive but the root barrior sounds like a good idea. Neighbors trees have lifted our cement block walls in a couple of places.

Are you in the Southern California very high fire risk areas? If so, wait until the new regulations are published. They have been delayed until March 2026.

https://bof.fire.ca.gov/projects-and-programs/defensible-space-zones-0-1-and-2

There is no point in planning or installing landscaping you will have to rip out to meet the regulations and keep your insurance company from cancelling your policy. You may also have to move or remove existing plants and do extensive trimming.

Really impossible to say without A LOT more information, however, unless you’re very knowledgeable re plants, your microclimate, your exact location in So Cal ( coastal, where I live is more costly IME ) & a zillion other variables, its almost always better to hire a landscape designer. Without more detailed information $10k doesn’t sound out of line, I paid almost $4k just for a fire feature 4 years ago.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting: it’s a play pool so it only takes about 1/3 of the space. Excellent points & am considering all that you mentioned. May give more info in another posting. Thank you.

@Mojavemaria no, the landscape designer proposal
does not include materials. Thank you for confirming about my inquiries.

@apple_pie_order, no I am not in a high risk area for fires. Thank you for the heads up.

@K Laurence thank you for your input & confirming the quote was reasonable. Those are my concerns hence, why I’m still gnawing on your suggestion & Mojavemaria.

What is a "play pool"? For 15K, must not be what we call a play pool here, so guessing it is a built in like a regular pool, but smaller?

@cyn427 yes. “A play pool is a shallow, versatile inground swimming pool designed for recreation, water sports, and lounging rather than diving. Typically featuring a "shallow-deep-shallow" configuration—often (3\text{--}5\text{--}4) feet deep—these pools are popular for families, as they allow adults to stand throughout most of the pool.”

Don't start a new post. Add any further info. to this one. Otherwise you lose any ideas already suggested and responders waste their time and effort repeating stuff.

I just got quoted $150K for a 2,300 sq ft backyard landscape design that would include a fire pit area made of raw materials and pavers for a single car driveway… Plus $10K design proposal. Is that reasonable? Granted reached out to a high end studio, but wondering if there’s a more economical way of going about this if I already know what plants I want used, just not how to lay them out in my space? Can a lot of this be done DIY? Will doing it DIY worth the money that will be saved? Or could I save a lot by just paying for the design, sourcing my own materials and finding my own contractors?

$10k for just a design proposal sounds high to me …. mine cost $2500 4-5 years ago in a high COL area ( Newport Beach / Laguna ). That $2500 was credited towards the cost.

1/3 is used for the pool then you mention a driveway I need pictures and 10K will buy a lot of plants and if you are willing to do the grunt work you win. I am doing all my own design and install since no money to pay someone else . I was just thinking to hire some kids to fill raised beds with soil might be agreat investment though

Paying for the design but being your own GC, finding your own subcontractors and DIYing what you feel comfortable doing sounds like a great way to save money. Can’t wait to see some pics of your project!

We paid about $30,000 in Houston a couple years ago for a design and install of 2 large beds plus 2 locations with trees/shrubs. The design portion was about $3K.

@K Laurence yes… again, I’m hoping it’s bc we contacted a high end studio and the work we want done is a bit more complex than the standard suburbia backyard set up. Wow. $2500- wish it would’ve just cost that… and in Newport/Laguna? Hoping maybe we’ll find someone who can quote similar. Maybe inflation?

@Patricia Colwell Consulting amazing and motivating. Great to know 10K will buy a lot of plants. Guessing
if we go the treat hedge route I may cost more?

*if we go the tree &/hedge route, it may cost more?

@mojavemaria encouraging, thank you~ Just concerned if we’re biting off more than we can chew & opening a can of worms. We’ve never done DIY projects much less at this scale…. but also not sure investing $150K/anything close to that will be worth it.

@WestCoast Hopeful thank you so much for the breakdown. Helpful. I just wonder if the savings will be drastic enough to be worth the possible headaches we’ll face along the way.

@justcallmepool thank you as well. The info you shared is helpful.

" again, I’m hoping it’s bc we contacted a high end studio and the work we want done is a bit more complex than the standard suburbia backyard set up. "

That would have been helpful info uyp front. So at the end of the day in California if they will let you do anything it will cost you more than it should so the number is most likely correct.

$10k doesn’t go far depending upon the sizes of the trees & plants, & varieties of course. Box sized trees can be very expensive as well as larger sized plants & shrubs. Been through this several times, all in So Cal however.

It would be helpful if you would post an "inspiration photo" of what you would like to have done in your yard + a photo of your backyard in its existing state.

We've had three front landscaping beds rebuilt in the front yard + a deck removed + a large patio built with a covered area (cedar plank ceiling) + an open area + a fire pit area. There was also a raised landscaping bed built next to the left side of the covered patio in order to avoid the need for any type of railing (the yard slopes down from right to left - the basement is a walkout on the left side).

We also had landscaping beds redone in the backyard (we have river birch trees = many plants/shrubs won't live under the canopy). Additionally, we had six 7-8' Taylor Junipers planted along the back fence line in a landscaping bed.

All the work was planned by a landscape architect and his company did the work (except for the covered portion over part of the patio). We spent quite a bit - however, there wasn't a separate cost for design and project management - obviously, we paid for that but the bid did not have a separate line item for it.

The cost of hedging is totally dependant on the type and the size of the plants and of course how much in hurry ypu are . I planted 1 gallon pot yew hedsge in my last house they grew from 20" hight to 4 ft in 3 yrs and nice and bushy. Where I live olive trees lose all their leaves in the fall and make a big mess I would think carefully about leaf drop with a pool Even grass ca make a mess of a pool in ahurry with clippings. But until you share a pic or some of the space all we do is guess Post them here in comments .

He states that he lives in So California! Fruitless olive trees are not deciduous in our climate, do not create a mess or drop leaves. They’re Mediterranean trees, I’m surprised anyone would even think they could be planted in a cold climate. They’re appropriate in zones 8 - 11, drought tolerant.

They’re very popular where I live because the roots are not invasive & they’re not messy.

Even evergreen trees drop leaves, just not all at once.

I must have magic olive trees, they don’t shed leaves,I’d know why? Maybe my climate? Who knows.

Yes, they must be magic. ...or fake. Olive trees do shed leaves, especially in spring when older leaves are lost when new growth comes through. No tree retains every leaf for ever. There is a regular turnover. Maybe you just haven't noticed it or someone is clearing them up without you seeing them. Climate isn't relevant.

@Floral ….. Well, they’re not fake. No plants inside or outside my home are fake, lol..

it’s spring here where I live, So Cal coast, temps in the 70’s & the bulbs & fruit trees have been in bloom for weeks, haven’t seen any leaf drop yet…. hmmmm. I’ll look for some tho…