--- title: "Ted Lare Design Build — Landscape Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/ted-lare-design-build-pfvwus-pf~377705972 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~377705972.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Ted Lare Design Build" category: ["Landscape Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0683b0980ffc3d23_6673-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, Iowa 50061, United States" latitude: 41.4849 longitude: -93.7539 phone: "(515) 981-1073" website: http://www.tedsgardens.com rating: 5 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 52 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # Ted Lare Design Build Original Houzz profile: [Ted Lare Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/ted-lare-design-build-pfvwus-pf~377705972) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Contractors - **Location:** Cumming, IA - **Serves:** Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, Clive, Norwalk, Windsor Heights, Van Meter, Cumming, Martensdale, Patterson, Spring Hill, Bevington, Prole - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves Ted Lare Design Build has been the premiere Landscape Design Build firm in the Des Moines metro area for over 30 years. Started by Ted in 1982, we are still a family owned and operated business with exceptional customer service. If you choose to work with us, you will work with one designer from design to completion, making sure none of the details get lost during construction. All of our designers have graduated with a Landscape Architecture degree from Iowa State University and provide their own unique design solutions. With over 30 years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, you will be sure to have exceptional results. If you are looking to transform your landscape into a work of art, give us a call at (515) 599-3257 or click the "Contact Me" button to send us a message. We look forward to working with you! ### Services Provided - Hardscaping - Garden Design - Patio Construction - Deck Building - Pergola Construction - Retaining Wall Construction - Custom Fire Pits - Outdoor Kitchen Construction - Custom Water Features - Outdoor Lighting Installation - Outdoor Fireplace Construction - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Landscape Lighting Installation ### Areas Served - Des Moines - West Des Moines - Urbandale - Waukee - Clive - Norwalk - Windsor Heights - Van Meter - Cumming - Martensdale - Patterson - Spring Hill - Bevington - Prole ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - 100,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Ted Lare Design Build | | Address | 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, Iowa 50061, United States | | Phone | (515) 981-1073 | | Website | http://www.tedsgardens.com | | Followers on Houzz | 52 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/TedsGardenCenter/?v=wall&ref=ts ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Ted Lare Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/ted-lare-design-build-pfvwus-pf~377705972) - **Website:** http://www.tedsgardens.com - **Phone:** (515) 981-1073 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/home-builders-association-of-greater-des-moines-pfvwus-pf~2047741914) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — korybrady, May 2016** > Ted Lare Design Build does a quality job like no other company can- they set themselves apart on their work alone. **Comment from Ted Lare Design Build:** > Thanks Kory! We appreciate the time you spent writing a review for us.... you forgot to mention the awesome LED landscape lighting you help us with, taking our jobs to another level. Thanks again. **★★★★★ — candwills, April 2016** > Ted Lare has always provided us the highest quality product and design in our landscaping needs. In addition their staff were quick to respond to any questions or problems we encountered in the process. **★★★★★ — glenleven, April 2016** > Ted Lare Design is simply the best. They were by far the best company we worked with during the construction of our new home. **★★★★★ — rjplatts, April 2016** > I had the pleasure of partnering with Ted Lare Design Build on an extensive backyard project in the late summer of 2015 - specifically working with Keegan Lare. His expertise, recommendations, and communication far surpassed any organization or individual I had previously encountered in this arena. It can be a little daunting purchasing products and services that you do not have in-depth knowledge of, so there is a fair amount of trust that is required to ensure the project matches the ideas you may have; Keegan and the crew not only surpassed my expectations, but they also found a way to make the entire process fun. We are beyond pleased with the results and we enjoy the backyard exponentially more upon completion of the project. I would absolutely recommend Ted Lare Design Build in any capacity you may be considering hiring a professional for your property or landscaping needs! **★★★★★ — lori\_crabb, April 2016** > We have had Ted Lare Design Build for over 12 years. Jean Lare has been our main contact and designer. Without Jean's expertise and hands on in every project we would not have the WOW factor within our landscaping. > When we were looking again for the WOW factor in our front walkway with stone- Jean was patient and made sure we had the perfect look. > > We have Ted Lare do our monthly yard maintenance - what a relief when we home to see everything as had "touch points" > > Ted Lare Design Build is the perfect landscaping design company to use if you are looking for perfection. **★★★★★ — .., Dec. 2015** > I am extremely pleased with their work. The workers cleaned up every day before leaving and the patio is beautiful. **Comment from Ted Lare Design Build:** > Thanks for the review. We appreciate the work at your house and the kind words! ## Selected projects - [Contemporary Pool and Patio in West Des Moines, IA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-pool-and-patio-in-west-des-moines-ia-pj-vj~1722522) - Location: West Des Moines, IA - Photos: 6 - [Glen Oaks Backyard Pool Party](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glen-oaks-backyard-pool-party-pj-vj~1774870) - Location: West Des Moines, IA - Photos: 62 - [Patios & Pathways](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/patios-and-pathways-pj-vj~62264) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Pools](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pools-pj-vj~62262) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Water Features](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-features-pj-vj~62254) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Backyard Fire Pit with Pergola and Swing](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-fire-pit-with-pergola-and-swing-pj-vj~1948301) - Location: Johnston, IA - Photos: 10 - [Backyard Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-retreat-pj-vj~1952641) - Location: West Des Moines, IA - Photos: 17 - [Japanese Inspired English Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/japanese-inspired-english-gardens-pj-vj~1951577) - Location: Ames, IA - Photos: 13 - [Cedar Arbor with Planting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cedar-arbor-with-planting-pj-vj~1951626) - Location: Waukee, IA - Photos: 11 - [South of Grand Pool Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-of-grand-pool-makeover-pj-vj~1774546) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 22 - [A Modern Home with a Rustic Touch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-modern-home-with-a-rustic-touch-pj-vj~1951610) - Location: Waukee, IA - Photos: 12 - [Modern Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-garden-pj-vj~1773284) - Location: Ankeny, IA - Photos: 11 - [Front Entry Paver Path & Stairway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-entry-paver-path-and-stairway-pj-vj~1773226) - Location: Clive, IA - Photos: 10 - [Retaining Walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/retaining-walls-pj-vj~62253) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Modern Vegetable Garden in Ankeny](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-vegetable-garden-in-ankeny-pj-vj~1773293) - Location: Ankeny, IA - Photos: 9 - [Outdoor Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-living-pj-vj~62267) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 [See all 16 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/ted-lare-design-build-pfvwus-pf~377705972) ## Ideabooks - [Front Entry Stairway](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/71090837/list/front-entry-stairway) — 4 ideas - [Sponsored Thumbnails for Gil (6-9)](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/66029867/list/sponsored-thumbnails-for-gil-6-9) — 9 ideas - [Stucco Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67965949/list/stucco-fireplaces) — 3 ideas - [Outdoor Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30883623/list/outdoor-kitchens) — 1 idea - [Fire Pit Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3242830/list/fire-pit-ideas) — 4 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/tedsgardens) ## Community Q&A **Q: can you tell me what the steps are** *(in Photo Questions)* A: they are a natural stone stair tread, specific stone was Bay de Noc, which is no longer available **Q: Ornamental Grass Question** *(in Photo Questions)* What kind of ornamental grass is lining the sidewalk? Thanks. A: that is a dwarf fountain grass I believe **Q: irrigation** *(in Photo Questions)* how is this area watered..with sprinklers or drip or soaker hose??? A: usually we will use pop-up sprinkler heads. we find the soaker hose difficult to maintain **Q: Flowers** *(in Photo Questions)* Did they do well in hot weather A: Yes, they do. Petunias love the sun. One of our favorites. **Q: Can you tell me what type of stone was used on the walkway? Very nice look. Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: That is Bay de Noc stone. No longer available as the quarry ran out of this. It was great stuff and we miss it! **Q: Stone** *(in Photo Questions)* What kind of stone is it? A: It is a mix of stone. The creamy buff path stone and stairs is 'Bay de Noc', which is a layer of stone no longer available from the quarry. The path stone with more brown colors is most likely 'arkansas stone', which we still use on projects. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*