Online landscape design services make an enticing proposition: you get access to a team of Landscape Architects and designers, no matter where you live, at a reasonable price. This team will design your new landscape quickly, delivering some beautiful drawings and 3D renderings. All you have to do is answer some questions and provide some pictures.

For some people and some projects, it works exactly like that. But remote landscape design, like most things in life, has pros and cons. What should you consider before choosing an online landscape design service over a local landscape professional?

Before I answer that, consider my perspective on the question. I’m a local designer and no longer offer remote landscape design services. But I did in the past, so I understand some of the challenges. Our design-build firm has installed a number of designs done by some of the larger remote design services so I know what their “deliverables” look like. I have also gone through the onboarding process to become a recommended installer with one prominent virtual landscape design company, though we ultimately decided not to partner with them. Additionally, I have taken meetings with founders of some of these companies, seen their job listings, and had conversations with Landscape Architects that were headhunted by them.

Based on all that experience, here is what I think you should know (alternating pros and cons, to be fair!)

You will work with a real designer, someone who cares about landscapes, gardens, and outdoor living. Some of the behind-the-scenes work (3D renderings, for example) may be outsourced but the actual design is not.

Your designer is expected to produce A LOT of designs. This is made obvious in job listings, but it also can be assumed from the business model. How do you offer designs at a lower-than-average price point and still make enough to pay your designer, all the people behind the scenes, advertising, and the Landscape Architects (who most likely no longer design on a daily basis) who founded the firm? Volume. In one interview a founder of one online design service said that, in the early days of starting her firm, she was personally completing around 20 designs a month.

The process is really slick. Online design firms are run well and will take you through the process with as little friction as possible. For this reason, many who hire them (according to one founder) are people who are intimidated by the idea of working with a local designer. If that’s you, online design could be a great solution.

Because of the focus on volume and “ease”, it is not likely you will be pushed to consider design concepts that may be different than what you were already envisioning. You will probably get a design that looks like what is already on Instagram, not what will be on Instagram. If you already know what you want, but just need someone to put it on paper, then this could be a great thing. But if you actually want design, it is not ideal.

If your home is a new build and/or you basically have a blank slate then pictures should be able to convey accurately your site conditions. A designer can do a simple design for a simple space with very little information. If that is what you want and what you have then remote design is probably the quickest and cheapest way to get there.

Virtual landscape design for mature gardens, large properties, and yards with even gentle grade changes can be really difficult. This is the reason I quit doing remote design. I can’t deliver a great design that can actually be installed as designed without walking the site. Are there designers and Landscape Architects out there that can do that better than me? Sure. But if you have a site that is in any way interesting or challenging, hire someone who can walk it with you.

Some online design services can connect you with a contractor or help you purchase plants. Eventually they may also be able to help you with maintenance. Finding someone to install the design is a big step so this could be a huge help and time saver.

Using their recommended contractors may not save you money though. The reason we didn’t join one remote design service’s recommended contractor list is because they wanted 7% added onto every project for them. Is a referral to a lightly (based on my experience) vetted contractor worth that markup to you? To be fair, this is a common practice in the design world. Some landscape designers (and landscape designer’s associations) are very against this, but many are not. However, when a local designer has their preferred contractor add a percentage on for them, the designer will usually then be actively involved in the project and so the homeowner gets tangible benefit from the markup- even if it’s never disclosed to them.

Design-Build Projects from Ross NW Watergardens:

Another landscape designer’s take on Yardzen’s contractor network.

It’s time for another pro, but all I have is one more con, perhaps the largest one: your designer is most likely not from your area. Local expertise is extremely important in landscaping! I have installed several landscapes for clients of a virtual garden design firm based in California. The designs were nice and well thought out. But none of them could be installed as designed, we had to do a lot of work to redesign them- mainly because they specified plants and materials that were inappropriate and/or unavailable in Portland. This is despite the fact that these firms work very hard to prevent this from happening.

Is a virtual landscape design service best for your project? If your project and site are fairly simple and you have a good idea what you are looking for, then it definitely might be. I even refer people to them when I think it truly fits their project best. But in just about every other case, a local landscape designer will probably make you and your garden happier.

Want to consider some other sides of this? Read the Google and Yelp reviews for the firms you are considering. I also recommending checking Reddit for feedback from previous clients. Stay away from posts and videos from remodeling influencers- that’s just marketing in disguise.

If you need a local landscape designer to partner with, someone who will walk the site with you, collaborate face-to-face, and only suggest elements, materials, and plants that work in Portland- well feel free to contact us today for a free design consultation.