What Is a Landscape Plan and Do You Need One?

A landscape plan is a scaled drawing of your outdoor space that shows where everything goes: hardscape elements, planting areas, irrigation zones, lighting, drainage, and any structures. Think of it as the blueprint for your landscape. For any project beyond a few simple plants or a small paver area, having a plan before breaking ground is worth the investment many times over.

What a Landscape Plan Includes

Site Plan / Base Drawing

The foundation of the landscape plan is an accurate drawing of your property showing the house footprint, existing trees, grade changes, utilities, drainage patterns, and property lines. This is the canvas that all other design decisions are made on.

Hardscape Layout

Dimensions and placement of patios, walkways, walls, steps, and any structures. Material specifications and edge treatments. This is where you confirm that the patio is actually sized for the furniture you want, that the walkway is wide enough for two people to pass comfortably, and that the wall heights make sense for the grade changes on your property.

Planting Plan

A planting plan shows the species, sizes, quantities, and placement of every plant in the project. It confirms that plants are appropriately sized for their locations at maturity and that the combination of species makes sense for the sun exposure, soil conditions, and irrigation available.

Irrigation Layout

Irrigation zones, head types, and coverage areas. A good irrigation plan prevents the most common irrigation problem: spray heads covering areas they shouldn't, zones mixing plants with very different water needs, and coverage gaps that leave plants dry.

Lighting Zones

Fixture locations, lighting zones, and wire routing. Planning this before installation means conduit can be run under hardscape during construction rather than after, a significant cost and appearance difference.

A plan prevents the most expensive mistake in landscape installation: building something, not liking it, and having to redo it.

Do You Need a Landscape Plan?

For small, simple projects, a detailed plan may not be necessary. For any project involving hardscapes, significant planting, irrigation design, or multiple connected elements, a plan before installation is the most important investment you can make. It prevents the most expensive mistake in landscape installation: building something, not liking it, and having to redo it.

If you're evaluating contractors, a detailed plan also gives you something to get multiple bids against since contractors bidding on the same plan are quoting the same scope. Our guide to choosing a landscaping company in Boise covers how to evaluate bids and what to look for when comparing contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a landscape plan cost?

Standalone landscape design fees in the Treasure Valley vary widely: from a few hundred dollars for a simple concept sketch to several thousand for a detailed design package for a complex property. At Hockema Landscape Design & Build, design is integrated into the overall project rather than billed as a standalone fee in most cases.

Can I use a landscape plan to get multiple bids?

Absolutely, and that's one of the most practical uses of a standalone landscape plan. Contractors bidding on the same plan and specifications are quoting comparable scope, which makes cost comparisons meaningful.