OUR CONTRACT

Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture is transparent about our process, so you can make an informed decision about your important project.

LICENSURE: Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture is license #5326 by the State of California to provide landscape architectural services. The full range of services possible is determined by your choices, and is in most cases described on this website. We no longer do landscape installation work.

SCOPE OF WORK: Note that pricing ultimately depends upon the Services to be done. We are happy to limit the scope of the design to a single part of the site; however, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture strives to help create a cohesive design that rhymes with what is already there, or rhymes with work to be done in the future.

ESTIMATED COST: Some ways to determine a “guesstimate” of cost:

• First, is a Consultation. If a consultation is all you want from us, that’s fine. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture asks $175.⁰⁰ for a one-time consultation (Subject to change). After the consultation, we can provide you with a specific fee structure for subsequent work, depending upon what you want done. (See our Services page.)
  • Preferably we meet at the site during daylight hours, and go over what you would like to see done. This is a one-time event, and if return trips are required, they will be at an extra, agreed amount. We will gather information and talk about the next steps, so there are no surprises.
• A second way to “guesstimate” the cost for services is to utilize a site’s work area, or it’s approximate square footage. We strive to make our services affordable, but larger sites will understandably involve more work. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture takes the size ranges below into account, but the final amount of our contract estimate will be based upon the amount of work we estimate it will take to provide your Landscape Architectural Drawings.
  • One-half acre site (21,780 sq. ft.) or less
  • Approximately 1 acre
  • 1-½ to 3 acres
  • More than 3 acres

CONTRACT SUM: The contract sum will be the result of adding up basic landscape architectural services, plus options you choose to have us perform. ¹ It is set when the contract is signed. Any changes in the scope of work will be in writing and you will have agreed to the changes before we proceed with the revised scope of work. (See our “Services” page for examples of services we can perform for you.)

Fees for our services are subject to change without notice, but once committed to a contract we will keep our word. Please note that the only fixed price on our website is that of the consultation above, currently $175.⁰⁰.

SEVERABILITY: We present contracts with language about “Progress Payments”. These payments are due upon completion of discreet phases of the design project. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture’s written contract is usually for the entire project, but you can sever your relationship with us at any time. So our services will not necessarily be for the entire project. The extent of work is limited to the current phase of design development. This makes it easy at any time in the design process, for you to discontinue our services and settle the account balance. By law, all contracts describe how to amicably terminate landscape architectural services, once engaged.

For example, we consult with a client and if requested, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture draws up a contract to execute the Conceptual Drawing. A decision to continue our services into the next design phase is for the clients to make upon completion of the Concept Drawing.

After the Conceptual Drawing is done, we present a contract for the Preliminary Drawings or the Permit/Working Drawings. The contract is tailored to the next phase of work called for, as the design process unfolds².

DESCRIPTION OF WORK TO BE DONE: We want to avoid surprises. In our contract, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture will describe specific work to be done, available options, and any known or unknown fees, so we can arrive at an agreed sum total for all work.

Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture will do what we can to predict contingencies, but sometimes unforeseen events occur. You will be given the opportunity to approve or reject any “extras” before we proceed.

PLANS: At each stage in the design process, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture will generally deliver two sets of landscape plans (Conceptual Drawing, Preliminary Drawings or Permit/Working Drawings) to you. You are then free to make copies of the completed plans.

Additional copies of plans, specifications or guidelines can be obtained for an additional fee. This goes for extra hard copies or electronically transmitted copies. Just let us know and we can discuss the services you desire.

ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS: Sometimes Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture cannot provide the engineering calculations required to satisfy governmental health and safety officials reviewing the design.³ If the services of other licensed professionals are required to implement your wishes, then we will let you know before commencing work on your project. We prefer that you contract with these other professionals directly.

Note the different types of professionals:

• Architect. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture is licensed to design some structures. You will need an architect to design things like additional dwelling units (ADUs) and room additions. (Can make referrals or work with an architect chosen by Owner)
• Civil engineer/surveyor. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can provide grading plans for your project; however, on multi-acre projects, hilly or sites with poor drainage, or on projects needing Precise Grading Plans executed by a licensed civil engineer or surveyor, you will need their services to draw up the work area. Those services are in addition to, and separate from our contract. We can then take their site information and draw up your landscape architectural plans. (We can make referrals or work with an engineer chosen by Owner)
• Soils Engineer, Geologist or Geophysicist. We do landscape architecture; in many cases we can diagnose and remedy problematic soil conditions at a site. But unusual flood, shaking or landslide risk, expansive soils, nutrient deficiencies, hazards or problematic site conditions may require more expertise than we can provide. (We can make referrals or work with a firm chosen by Owner)
• Structural engineer. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture is licensed to design some site structures like pavilions and walls. Over large spans or for monolithic retaining walls of more than four feet in height, we prefer to let structural engineers check our design and provide calculations for plan check approval. (Can make referrals or work with a structural engineer chosen by Owner)

Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture wants you to be comfortable doing business with us. We want to hear your comments, questions or suggestions. Below is additional information to help you make up your mind:

• Here is the link to the Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC) website: https://latc.ca.gov/
• For consumers, link to the Business & Professions Code: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=5616.&lawCode=BPC Please familiarize yourself with its provisions and let’s discuss them if you have questions.
• The following phrase will appear on all contracts by law: “Landscape architects are licensed by the Landscape Architects Technical Committee located at 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95834.”

Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture does not do landscape installation or maintenance. (Can make referrals to licensed individuals/firms.)

Because non-payment of the contract may result in liens, the person signing the contract must be the Owner or be authorized by the Owner to do so.

Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture

P.O. Box 593

Long Beach, CA 90801-0593

562-513-3208

LMLA@KCBX.net

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© Copyright 2025 by Robert P. Ladd, D.B.A. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture. All rights reserved. No part of this website shall be copied without expressed, written consent.

1. Note that the services we ultimately perform for you will be spelled out in the contract between us. The information provided on this website is to give you an idea of what Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can do for you. Links from our website to third-party websites are not under the control of Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture. Some services described here are not needed, desired nor included in all projects. Note that we can take measurements & compose landscape architectural drawings, but the drawings will be schematic in nature. Figures we give for areas or quantities are to help you obtain the optimal comparison between installation price quotes. Contractors, Engineers and installers who incorporate these drawings into their estimates for labor & materials must therefore, become familiar with the site themselves and adjust their bids according to their own findings. ↩︎
2. On large sites, or sites with unusual circumstances such as poor drainage or steep slopes, the services of a civil engineer or surveyor will be needed. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can make referrals or work with those chosen by owner. Such services by others are excluded unless specifically included in the contract. ↩︎
3. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can design many of the common construction elements such as walls and patio structures. Elements such as high walls or patio structures with long spans, however, will require the services of a Structural Engineer, Geologist or Geophysicist. Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can make referrals or work with those chosen by you, the Owner or Owner’s Representative. Such services by others are excluded unless specifically included in the contract. ↩︎