Landscape Architecture FAQ’s

Landscape architects design everything from private residential yards and gardens to grand public plazas and streetscapes. They are responsible for the planning and implementation of a wide range of exterior spaces and must adhere to current building codes, public safety requirements and best practices.

If you have an exterior project and plan on hiring a designer, a landscape architect is as versatile as they come in terms of knowledge and experience in the outdoor built environment.

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Marcus Parker is one of only a handful of licensed landscape architects in the area and prides himself on his expertise and professionalism. To MPLA, Landscape Architecture is more than just planting and paving. It is the art of creating lasting spaces for clients to live and thrive using proven construction technology and natural ecology.

Landscape architecture is the art, science, and practice of designing the outdoor environment. Responsible landscape architecture seeks to simultaneously balance the physiological needs of humans, the modern demands of the built environment, and the ever-present ecological systems that exist in nature.

Each project is unique, and the required needs differ from one design to the next. As a result, every fee proposal is tailored to the specific demands of the client, and it is difficult to put an exact price on our services. That said, MPLA currently bills at $75/hr for residential projects and $95/hr for commercial projects.

After the initial consultation a proposal is prepared and presented to the client. The project scope is defined, design services are outlined, and a fee is agreed upon at the beginning of each project.

Invoices are billed against this fee and sent out for work completed at the end of the month. There are no deposits or up-front fees associated with our fee structure.

Our processes consist of four phases: Concept Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation, and Construction Administration. Please refer to “Our landscape design process” page for details.

Landscape architecture is unique in that some of the building materials we use are living organisms.

Because of this, through sustainable design and environmental conservation techniques, we can add value to the natural environment and help mitigate some of the negative drawbacks of modern society. Planted trees remove CO2 from our atmosphere and improve air quality. Rainwater harvesting reduces water usage and allows our underground aquifers to recharge, and waterwise native gardening such as xeriscaping (xerophytic landscaping) uses less energy to source and maintain plant life.