Yardzen Review vs. Landscape Designer
When it came time to start planning the exterior of our property, we quickly realized that designing over an acre of land wasn’t something we could tackle alone. Before we even moved to Tennessee, we had big landscape plans for our new custom home build, a pool. A pool was high on the list when we were building back in 2023. “Where would we put the pool” was a frequently asked question. And if we’re digging into the ground and adding a pool, a few other things on the exterior design should be addressed while we’re at it.
Landscaping is just as much a part of homebuilding as the foundation or finishes inside — and it makes a massive impact on curb appeal, function, and long-term maintenance.
We started our design process with Yardzen, a flat-fee online exterior design service. Later, we decided to bring in a landscape designer — Design Worx Outdoor out of Florida — for a more personal, hands-on approach. Having experienced both, we thought it would be helpful to break down the pros and cons of hiring an online design service vs. working directly with a designer, so if you’re building a custom home or renovating your outdoor space, you can decide which path is right for you.
Our Experience with Yardzen
We opted for Yardzen’s Signature package ($1,995 flat fee) because of the size of our lot. The entire process was online — no Zoom meetings, no phone calls. Everything was handled through questionnaires and uploading inspiration photos.
A few weeks later, Yardzen sent us renderings and a full yard plan. While it gave us a great starting point, it wasn’t a perfect fit:
The placement of our guest house was off (further away than in reality).
They squeezed in four trees where only two could realistically fit.
Some areas felt sparse, while others felt crowded.
The house rendering didn’t quite match our actual architecture.
The plant selections didn’t align with the aesthetic we envisioned.
We were allowed one revision, but not all of our concerns were resolved.
Bottom line: Yardzen provided beautiful visuals and a quick, affordable starting point — but lacked the level of customization and accuracy we needed for our property.
Our Experience with Design Worx Outdoor
After Yardzen, we reached out to Design Worx Outdoor, a landscape design firm based in Florida. Immediately, the process felt more personal. We had an actual virtual meeting where we could see the design evolving in real time. This allowed us to make changes on the spot, ask questions, and clarify priorities. We gave him this inspiration image to keep in mind:
In what seemed like no time at all, we received his first initial design. Let’s take a look together shall we?
Initial thoughts? Wow. Incredible!
Unlike a flat-fee service, a local landscape designer offers:
Knowledge of local climate, soil, and drainage.
A thorough revision process with hand-holding along the way.
While the cost was just slightly higher, the experience was night and day compared to an online service. For us, the personalized attention was well worth it.
Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Pros of Hiring a Local Landscape Designer
More accurate revision process.
Direct communication and guidance.
Deep knowledge of local plant life, climate, and soil conditions.
Cons of Hiring a Local Landscape Designer
Slightly higher cost
Requires more meetings and time investment.
Pros of Hiring an Online Flat-Fee Exterior Design Service
Quick turnaround, all from the comfort of home.
Beautiful renderings to help you visualize your space.
Cons of Hiring an Online Flat-Fee Exterior Design Service
Limited revisions.
Less accuracy when it comes to site-specific details.
Plant choices and layouts may not align with your local conditions.
Which One Is Right for You?
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer here. If you’re looking for an affordable starting point and love seeing your ideas in photorealistic renderings, an online flat-fee design service like Yardzen could be the right fit.
But if you want personalized guidance, local expertise, and someone to give you design ideas and inspiration, a landscape designer will likely be worth the extra investment.
For us, we enjoyed the process more with a landscape designer. Yardzen helped us get started, but Design Worx Outdoor brought our vision to life in a way that felt personal, accurate, and tailored to our home.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the middle of a custom build or considering an exterior overhaul, weigh your options carefully. Landscaping is a huge piece of your homebuilding journey, and choosing the right partner can make all the difference.
