The cost of a landscape architect is one of the most frequently asked questions— and one of the hardest to answer without context. Not because the industry lacks transparency, but because the role of a landscape architect can cover very different realities: a one-hour consultation on an existing garden, a complete plan for a 2,000 m² property, or a project management role over eighteen months. Each situation calls for a different payment model.
This guide explains how pricing works in the industry, what each phase of the mission includes, and what budgets to expect depending on the scale of your project.
The different phases of a landscaping mission
Before discussing prices, it is important to understand what you are purchasing. A complete landscape architecture mission is divided into distinct phases — and you can certainly entrust only some of them to a professional.
Phase 1 — The diagnostic visitFirst on-site meeting. The landscape architect analyses the site, its orientation, soil, constraints (slope, overlooking, existing vegetation), and listens to your wishes. This visit usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. It can be charged by the hour, included in a preliminary project package, or offered depending on the providers.
Phase 2 — The preliminary project (APS)The landscape architect translates the collected information into an initial concept: a schematic site plan, stylistic orientations, and sometimes inspiration boards. The preliminary design allows you to validate the overall direction before investing in detailed plans. This is the most creative phase — and often the most decisive.
Phase 3 — The definitive preliminary project (DPP)The validated concept is specified: dimensioned plan, choice of materials, selection of plants with their species names, detailed layout. This is the document that serves as the basis for the relationship with the executing companies. A well-executed DPP allows you to obtain comparable quotes from several executing landscape architects.
Phase 4 — The execution fileDetailed technical plans for the craftsmen: earthworks, drainage, coverings, landscape masonry, irrigation, lighting. This phase is necessary for complex projects or large areas. For standard residential gardens, the DPP is often sufficient.
Phase 5 — Assistance with contract awardingThe landscape architect helps you select the executing companies, analyses the received quotes, and ensures that what has been designed will indeed be what is realised. A phase often underestimated — and yet crucial to prevent the project from deviating during execution.
Phase 6 — Site monitoringRegular visits during the works to check compliance with the plans, answer craftsmen's questions, and validate key stages. The monitoring can be light (2-3 visits) or intensive (weekly presence), depending on the complexity of the project.
The three remuneration models
1. The hourly rateThe simplest and most transparent model. In Belgium, the hourly rate for a landscape architect ranges between50 and 80 €/hour. This rate can rise to 90-120 €/hour for highly established professionals or projects with a strong creative dimension. The hourly rate is ideal for one-off tasks: advice, diagnostics, revision of an existing plan, support in purchasing plants.
2. The fixed fee per phaseEach phase of the project is billed at a fixed price determined in advance, based on the size of the project and its estimated complexity. This is the most common model for design tasks. It offers complete visibility on the fee budget.
Indicative ranges for a standard residential garden (300-800 m²):
| Phase | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | 100 – 300 € |
| Preliminary project | 500 – 1,500 € |
| Final preliminary project | 1,000 – 3,000 € |
| Execution file | 1,500 – 4,000 € |
| Market assistance | 300 – 800 € |
| Site supervision (fixed fee) | 500 – 2,000 € |
| Complete design mission | 3,000 – 8,000 € |
These ranges are exclusive of VAT and vary significantly depending on the complexity of the site, the expected level of detail, and the positioning of the service provider.
3. The percentage of the worksCommon for complete missions that include design and supervision, or when the same office designs and executes the project. The fees then represent8 to 15% of the total cost of the works. For a project costing €40,000, this represents between €3,200 and €6,000 in fees.
This model has an advantage: it aligns the interests of the landscaper with the success of the project. It also has a disadvantage: if the works cost more than expected, the fees increase mechanically. Always check whether the percentage applies to the initial quote or the final cost.
What is the total budget for a complete project?
Design fees only represent a part of the overall budget. To give you an idea of the whole:
| Type of project | Estimated works budget | Design fees |
|---|---|---|
| Small city garden (< 100 m²) | €5,000 – €25,000 | €800 – €2,000 |
| Average residential garden (100-500 m²) | €15,000 – €50,000 | €2,000 – €4,000 |
| Large residential garden (500-2,000 m²) | €40,000 – €150,000 | €4,000 – €15,000 |
| Private park (> 2,000 m²) | €100,000 and above | On quote |
These ranges include earthworks, coverings, plants, irrigation, and lighting. They vary significantly depending on the materials chosen — a Belgian blue stone terrace costs significantly more than a composite terrace.
What affects the price
The area and the topography.A sloping site requires more studies, often retaining walls, and sometimes a planning permit. The complexity of execution impacts the fees.
The expected level of detail.A site plan to guide your own DIY work and a complete execution file for a specialised company do not require the same amount of work.
The experience and positioning of the provider.A recognised landscape architecture office, with a portfolio of high-end projects, charges differently from a general landscaper. It is not necessarily a question of quality — it is a question of suitability for your project.
The region.Rates in the Brussels periphery and in Walloon Brabant are slightly above the Belgian average, consistent with the cost of work in these areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay for an initial meeting?It depends on the provider. Some offer a free initial visit of 30 to 45 minutes to assess the feasibility of the project. Others charge from the first hour. In any case, ask in advance — a serious professional is always transparent on this point.
Can you only entrust the design and execute it yourself?Yes, and it is even recommended if you are handy and the project is not too complex. A good final pre-project plan gives you enough information to plant and arrange yourself over several seasons. Some landscapers also offer coaching support — a few hours of advice to guide your own implementation.
How to obtain a reliable quote?Be precise about the area, provide photos of the land, and specify what you wish to entrust to the professional (design only, design + follow-up, or complete mission). The clearer you are, the more accurate the quote will be — and comparable between several providers.
Is VAT applicable to the fees?Yes, landscape architecture fees are subject to VAT at 21% in Belgium. Make sure that the rates communicated to you are expressed excluding VAT so that you can compare them correctly.