Landscape Design Company (real name withheld pending verification of current operation) is a full-service residential landscaping firm that specializes in raised beds, mixed planters, and garden installations tailored to Oklahoma City's hot, dry climate and clay-heavy soil. Unlike maintenance-only outfits, this operation handles design-to-installation work and focuses on permanent landscape features rather than seasonal color rotations.
The firm designs and builds custom planter systems and garden beds for Oklahoma City homeowners, with emphasis on drainage solutions and plant selection suited to zone 7b heat and clay soil. Projects range from a single raised bed ($400–800, depending on material and size) to full-yard bed systems with terracing and irrigation ($3,000–12,000+). The company works primarily with wood composite, galvanized steel, and natural stone beds rather than plastic containers, and includes initial plant installation in most projects.
Design consultation: $150–250 depending on scope and whether it leads to installation (consultation fees typically credited toward project cost if hired).
Raised beds in wood composite or cedar: $400–900 per bed, 4 feet by 8 feet by 12 inches high. Cedar costs more but lasts longer in Oklahoma's sun; composite requires less maintenance but holds heat differently.
Galvanized steel beds: $600–1,200 per unit, preferred for modern aesthetics and superior drainage in Oklahoma's clay. Steel conducts heat, which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on plant choice.
Mixed perennial and shrub beds: $1,500–5,000 for design, soil amendment, and planting across 100–300 square feet. Most include drip irrigation installation.
Seasonal pricing varies; spring (March–May) and fall (August–October) see longer lead times and 10–15% premium pricing. Verify current rates directly, as material costs fluctuate.
Full-service landscaping chains like BrightView and local maintenance companies typically charge $50–150 per hour for design consultation and treat bed installation as add-on labor ($40–80/hour). They emphasize upkeep contracts over permanent features. The Design Company model bundles design, materials, and installation, which reduces total project cost when building five or more beds but increases upfront expense for single-bed jobs.
Smaller independent landscapers in Oklahoma City often undercut on design-only projects (as low as $75–100 consultation) but may lack drainage expertise specific to Oklahoma clay. Choose a design-focused firm like this one if you want a cohesive system that solves water and soil problems; choose hourly labor if you need one quick planter filled this weekend.
This company works best for homeowners planning permanent garden infrastructure, replacing failing wood beds, or building multiple planting zones across a yard. It suits customers who want native and adapted plants selected for Oklahoma heat and who plan to garden actively (vegetables, perennials, herbs) rather than ornamental-only landscapes.
It does not suit renters, those needing temporary seasonal color, or anyone unwilling to spend $400 minimum per bed. It also may not be the fastest choice if you need installation within two weeks during peak season.
A design consultation typically runs 45 minutes to an hour on-site. The designer walks the yard, assesses sunlight, soil, drainage, and existing features, then discusses plant preferences, maintenance comfort level, and budget. Design proposals come as scaled drawings with bed dimensions, material suggestions, plant lists with mature sizes and water needs, and a line-item quote. Most customers review for a week before deciding; the company does not require a deposit until design approval, though a 50% down payment is standard before material purchase.
The company operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Saturday consultations by appointment. Installation occurs during daylight hours; most single-bed jobs take one day, while larger systems take three to five days. There is no public lot; staff meet homeowners at the property. Verify current hours and appointment availability, as staffing changes seasonally.
Landscape beds are one of the few home improvements that pay dividends during Oklahoma City's intense summers; soil-level plantings with proper drainage and amended soil outperform container gardening in sustained heat, and the cost difference narrows across a full-yard project.
