Home »
Planning an outdoor landscaping project can be overwhelming. From choosing materials to coordinating timelines, to making design decisions that need to last. That’s why Ted Lare’s landscape design and build team is ready to partner with you from the very first conversation to the final walkthrough.
For homeowners across Des Moines and Central Iowa, we handle the entire design and installation process so you can focus on your busy everyday life. No need to stress about managing multiple contractors. Whether you have a clear vision or aren’t sure where to start, our professional landscape designers guide you every step of the way.
In traditional landscaping, you hire a designer and then find a separate contractor to build the project — hoping they communicate well enough to execute it properly. That disconnect leads to delays, budget overruns, and results that don’t match the original plan.
The landscape design and build process at Ted Lare works differently. One team handles everything, from the initial concept through final installation. Your designer and your installation crew work side by side, which means fewer surprises, tighter timelines, and full accountability at every stage.
Enjoy the benefits of working with one experienced Des Moines team that owns every detail of your project from start to finish. Pretty convenient, right?
Whether you’re incorporating planting beds, a garden pathway, a patio, or more, we provide an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Don’t worry about coordinating with multiple contractors. We’re unique in that our build team collaborates closely with our designers, giving you a single point of contact from start to finish.
Not sure exactly what you want out of your project? We’re happy to help! Lean on a team that’s full of inspiration and guidance to bring your yard to life and make the decision-making process easy.
Professional landscaping increases a home’s property value, meaning your project will reap aesthetic and financial benefits.
When you work with Ted Lare, you’ll be tapping into a wealth of expertise in gardening, design, and construction knowledge that’s second to none. We have a track record of creating gorgeous designs, and we’ll put that extensive knowledge to work for you.
From the initial consultation to the final touch, Ted Lare provides full-service landscaping design services that will elevate any outdoor space. Here’s our process.
Fill out our initial inquiry form to start the process and set up an initial phone consultation. We’ll talk over the project, answer your initial questions, and schedule our on-site consultation.
This first conversation is about understanding your goals. We’ll cover how you want to use your outdoor space, what styles you’re drawn to, and where your budget sits. It helps to have a general idea of your priorities before we talk, but don’t worry if you’re still figuring things out. That’s exactly what our landscape design consultation is designed to help with.
This is where real clarity begins. We evaluate soil conditions, drainage patterns, elevation changes, and sun exposure. Our team takes note of all the factors that directly impact how your landscape performs long-term. Skipping this kind of assessment is how costly mistakes happen, and it’s a step we never rush. What we learn on-site shapes every design decision that follows.
For focused projects, the $150 will cover all design fees. However, if you are looking for a masterplan or other projects that require a lot of design time, there may be additional design costs. Your Designer can answer all of these questions during your initial phone call, and all design fees are credited back to you as the project is installed.
Everything stays transparent through this phase. You’ll see exactly what’s being proposed, what it costs, and how long it will take. Our custom landscape design process builds in time for a revision or two, so the final plan is exactly what you want. This ensures there are no surprises when it’s time to break ground.
When your designer and installer operate as separate companies, miscommunication is almost guaranteed. Change orders stack up, timelines slip, and costs climb before a single plant goes into the ground. The design-build model eliminates that friction entirely.
With Ted Lare, one team carries full responsibility from concept through completion. Your landscape contractor in Des Moines isn’t interpreting someone else’s plans. They helped create them. So that alignment means fewer change orders, tighter scheduling, and a budget that stays where it should.
There’s also the long-term advantage. Because our designers and builders plan together, every material choice, grading decision, and drainage solution is made with future performance in mind. It’s a smarter way to invest in your property, and it’s how design-build landscaping delivers results that hold up for years across Iowa. Especially when paired with a reliable landscape maintenance plan.
Our landscape design and build process is built for homeowners who want it done right the first time and don’t have the bandwidth to manage multiple contractors on their own.
If you’re a busy professional with limited time to oversee a project, this process works for you. If your property is larger, has complex grading, or involves multiple outdoor zones, you need this level of coordination.
If your vision includes outdoor living features like patios, fire pits, kitchens, and integrated planting, the design-build process is exactly the kind of project we build every day across Des Moines. We also bring this same approach to commercial landscaping projects throughout Central Iowa.
And if long-term value matters more to you than the lowest bid, you’re the client we do our best work for.
Ted Lare has spent decades refining a landscape installation process built specifically for Iowa’s conditions. We understand the clay-heavy soils, the aggressive freeze–thaw cycles, and the seasonal swings that challenge every outdoor project in this region. That knowledge shapes every design and installation decision we make.
Our work spans Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, and Norwalk. Whether it’s managing drainage on a sloped Ankeny lot or designing for full sun exposure in Waukee, our residential landscape design solutions are built around the realities of Central Iowa living. That’s how you know we don’t just pull generic templates from somewhere else.
The initial consultation with our landscape designer includes a one-time $150 fee for homes within 35 miles of our office in Cumming, Iowa. During this meeting, our designer will discuss your project’s goals, view the site, and answer any questions you may have. If your project is more than 35 miles from our office, the minimum consultation fee will be $500.
If a designer needs to visit your home for the estimate, the cost is still $150. If you know exactly what you want, and an estimate can be completed at our design office, we will waive the $150 fee.
Following the consultation fee, any additional fees will depend on the breadth of the project. If the design is focused in one area, there will not be any additional fees. If the scope of the project is broad and involves a large portion of the yard or structural elements, design fees will be billed at $100 per hour. During the initial consultation, our designer will give you an estimate of hours required to complete the design and the associated cost. Payment is then required up front prior to developing the plan.
Timelines vary based on project scope and season. A straightforward landscape installation may take a few weeks, while larger hardscape and landscape installation projects across multiple zones can span several months. Our team provides a clear timeline during the design review phase so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.
Iowa does not require a general landscaping license to install plants, build planting beds, or lay pavers. However, certain specialized services do require proper licensing and certification. Pesticide and herbicide application requires an Iowa Department of Agriculture license. Irrigation system installation may require a plumbing permit depending on the scope. Any work involving significant grading or drainage can also trigger local permit requirements.
What this means for homeowners is simple — not every company offering landscaping services in Des Moines carries the same level of accountability, insurance, or professional credentials. When you work with Ted Lare Design & Build, you’re working with a fully insured, professionally staffed team with over 40 years of experience operating responsibly in Central Iowa. We handle permitting requirements, follow local codes, and bring the kind of professional oversight that protects your property and your investment.
A typical 1/2 acre residence will cost $300 – $1000 to develop a detailed design. This cost is dependent on the size of the yard and the level of detail required for the masterplan. Upon the completion of the design, the client may request changes to the plan. If the changes are minor, one revision will be completed with no additional cost. If the changes are extensive, then the same $100 hourly fee applies.
Yes. When you decide to move forward with construction or planting, design fees will be credited back to you when billed for the project. For every $1000 you spend with Ted Lare Design Build or Ted Lare Garden Center, within one year of delivery of the plan, $100 will be credited back to you. So, if you spend $600 in design fees, you would have to spend $6000 in the first year to get your $600 credited back to you.
No, we are currently only accepting jobs from clients who want us to complete installation projects.
Before our crew breaks ground, we make sure all design approvals, permits (if applicable), and material selections are finalized. We also confirm access points, utility markings, and any site preparation needed. Our landscape installation process in Iowa accounts for every detail upfront, so the build phase runs smoothly from day one.
Ted Lare Design & Build has been serving the Des Moines metro area for over 40 years, making them one of the most established landscape design and construction firms in the region. With decades of experience, they’ve built a strong reputation for comprehensive outdoor living services, from custom paver patios and natural stone installations to pergolas, retaining walls, and full landscape design and construction projects.
When choosing a landscaping partner, longevity and experience can be meaningful indicators of quality and reliability. A company with a long track record has typically refined its processes, built a skilled team, and earned trust within the community over time. Whether you’re looking for a complete backyard transformation or specific hardscaping and planting services in the Cumming, IA area and surrounding Des Moines metro, exploring companies with proven histories can give you greater confidence in the outcome of your project.
ChatGPT and other AI tools can generate general landscaping ideas, plant lists, and rough layout concepts — but they cannot do what a professional landscape designer does. AI has no knowledge of your specific property. It cannot assess your soil type, evaluate drainage patterns, account for Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles, or walk your yard to understand how sunlight and elevation affect every design decision.
Landscape design is deeply site-specific work. A planting bed that thrives on one Des Moines property can completely fail on another due to differences in soil composition, shade coverage, or moisture levels. No AI tool can replicate that on-the-ground evaluation.
At Ted Lare Design & Build, our designers visit your property in person, assess every variable that affects long-term performance, and create a custom plan built specifically for your yard and your goals. The result is a landscape that actually works — not just one that looks good on a screen.
From the first phone call to the final walkthrough, Ted Lare runs every project with the same high standard and full respect for your property.
You’ll receive consistent updates throughout every phase so you’re never left wondering what’s happening in your own yard. Our teams arrive on time, keep work areas clean, and treat your home the way they’d treat their own. We know a landscaping project is a significant investment, and our professional landscape designers in Iowa make sure the experience matches the quality of the finished result.
Schedule a consultation today and let Ted Lare transform your space into the masterpiece you’ve always envisioned.
