Custom Landscape and Design in Chattanooga: Full-Service Design and Installation for Residential Properties
Custom Landscape and Design is a full-service landscaping firm in Chattanooga that handles both initial landscape design and ongoing maintenance, serving residential clients across the city and surrounding areas. The company specializes in custom design work rather than standard maintenance contracts, making it relevant for homeowners planning significant yard transformations or starting fresh after a move.
What Custom Landscape and Design actually is
The firm operates as a design-first landscaper, meaning projects typically begin with a consultation and custom plan rather than a standard service menu. This approach distinguishes it from maintenance-only services common in Chattanooga, which focus on weekly mowing, trimming, and seasonal cleanup. Custom Landscape and Design takes on hardscape installation (patios, retaining walls, walkways), planting design, grading and drainage work, and outdoor lighting. The company works on properties ranging from modest suburban yards to larger residential estates.
Services and pricing structure
The company divides work into two categories: design services and installation. Design consultations are typically $200 to $400 for an initial site visit and preliminary concept, depending on lot size and complexity. Full design plans (including detailed plant selections, hardscape layouts, and materials specifications) run $800 to $2,500. Installation costs vary dramatically by scope. A simple planting bed refresh with native shrubs and perennials may cost $1,200 to $3,000, while a full-yard redesign with hardscaping, drainage work, and mature plant material can easily exceed $15,000. Hardscape work is priced by the square foot; a patio typically costs $12 to $25 per square foot installed, depending on material (pavers versus natural stone). Confirm current pricing before scheduling, as material costs fluctuate seasonally.
Maintenance-only contracts are available for established landscapes at $150 to $350 monthly, depending on frequency (every two weeks versus monthly) and property size. This is positioned as a value-add for clients who already have a designed landscape and want consistent care without redesign costs.
How Custom Landscape and Design compares to other Chattanooga options
Chattanooga has several landscaping tiers. BigBox lawn services like TruGreen operate on low-cost maintenance contracts (roughly $100 to $200 monthly) with standardized equipment and crews. Custom Landscape and Design occupies the mid-to-premium tier, charging more because design work is included and crews spend time on custom features. For clients wanting only weekly grass cutting and leaf removal, BigBox services are adequate and cheaper. For homeowners planning a landscape overhaul, custom design work prevents costly mistakes (wrong plants for site conditions, poor drainage patterns, mismatched hardscape aesthetics). Smaller independent operators around Chattanooga (often one or two-person crews) may offer lower design fees but typically lack the multi-crew capacity for large projects and hardscape work. Custom Landscape and Design's advantage is combined design expertise and installation scale; the trade-off is higher per-project cost.
Who this service suits and who it doesn't
Custom Landscape and Design is right for homeowners with 0.5 to 2+ acres who are either new to the property or dissatisfied with existing landscaping and willing to invest in a planned overhaul. It suits people who want professional guidance on plant selection for Chattanooga's humidity and clay soils (common site problems here). It also works well for clients needing hardscape features like drainage solutions or retaining walls, not just plantings. The service is not cost-effective for renters, for those needing only routine maintenance, or for homeowners with tight budgets under $3,000. It is also not a quick-turnaround service; design and permitting can add 4 to 8 weeks before installation begins.
What the first visit involves
A site visit typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour. The designer walks the property, photographs existing conditions, discusses goals, notes sun exposure and drainage patterns, and takes measurements. Homeowners should prepare by knowing their budget range, listing any plants they want to keep or remove, and noting problem areas (wet spots, erosion, poor plant performance). The designer will ask about maintenance tolerance (how much time the homeowner wants to spend on upkeep) because this affects plant selection. A preliminary concept sketch usually arrives within one week; a full design with plant lists and material specifications takes two to three weeks.
Hours, location, and logistics
The company operates by appointment only; there is no walk-in office. Consultations can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Installation work typically occurs March through November, with winter limited to hardscape and structure work. Verify current availability and any scheduling delays before committing to a project timeline. The firm services the greater Chattanooga area including surrounding Hamilton County communities; projects beyond 20 miles from central Chattanooga may incur travel fees.
Custom Landscape and Design fills a real gap for Chattanooga homeowners who need design thinking alongside installation, especially those contending with the region's clay soils and summer humidity.
