The Best Architects
We graded 12 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 374 Google reviews of 12 top-rated architects nationwide. Updated November 11, 2026.
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Best architects for landscape installations
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Artisan Outdoor LivingHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Landscape installations”:Stars on this job 55%4.83★Number of such jobs 25%18Overall Experts Score 20%79Job match= 83Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.84★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.83Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Landscape installations” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about landscape installations
Artisan Outdoor LivingThis company has been outstanding from Justin - sales/designer to Luke, owner to Rigo - Supervisor and especially to the workers who installed out new landscape - Victor and Randy! We highly recommend!
Artisan Outdoor LivingEli and Kai are such an extraordinary team to work with! These professionals work hard, are communicative, very conscientious about caring for the property, and they really know what they are doing. We were above and beyond impressed with their work. Eli did a great job of installing our lighting and showing us…
Artisan Outdoor LivingA terrific group of professionals who provide great service. But about half of the many plants they installed never properly acclimated. I will never again use them for landscaping services.
Artisan Outdoor LivingOur second time for using this firm. Fabulous crew (especially Andrew), very efficient, good communication and great cleanup. Couldn't has asked for a better experience.
Artisan Outdoor LivingLuke, Stan and Joey were a real pleasure to work with! We knew what we wanted, and how much we could afford to spend. They worked with us to achieve our goals within our budget, adding significant creativity that you just don't find with other landscaping contractors. We now have a fabulous and unique outdoor area…
Artisan Outdoor LivingI use Artisan Outdoor to landscape around a pool and was very happy with the results. They were very professional, did quality work, kept us inform and continually consulted with me about our wants and needs throughout the installation. Rigo and Andrew were very polite and when out of their way to make sure I was…
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of architects).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Plenum ArchitectureOakland, CA | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%96+66.5Reliability 31%89+27.4Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Ecobuild ArchitectsOakland, CA | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%96+56.3Reliability 26%92+24Value 15%78+11.9Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 92Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAABA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Inspired ADUsOakland, CA | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%93+54.6Reliability 26%87+22.7Value 15%83+12.6Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 90Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAA–– | 5.00 | — |
| 4 |  Kelly & Abramson ArchitectureOakland, CA | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%92+63.7Reliability 31%85+26.2Experts Score= 90Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–––– | 5.00 | — |
| 5 |  Design Draw Build – Architects & BuildersOakland, CA | A 87How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%87+60.2Reliability 31%88+27.1Experts Score= 87Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 4.87 | — |
| 6 |  GenslerOakland, CA | A 84How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%84+58.2Reliability 31%85+26.2Experts Score= 84Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 4.80 | — |
| 7 | Artisan Outdoor LivingLeesburg, FL | B 79How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%86+46.9Reliability 24%68+16.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%71+5Craft & service penalty88−1.2Momentum penalty72−2.8Experts Score= 79Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAABB | 4.91 | — |
| 8 |  PYATOK architecture + urban designOakland, CA | B 75How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%78+49.6Reliability 28%85+24Replies to reviews 8%22+1.8Experts Score= 75Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BA–––D | 4.70 | — |
| 9 |  Todd Jersey Architecture Inc.Oakland, CA | B 72How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%73+39.8Reliability 24%62+15Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%47+3.3Experts Score= 72Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB–AAC | 4.62 | — |
| 10 |  GUNKEL ARCHITECTUREOakland, CA | B 61How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%66+45.7Reliability 31%51+15.7Experts Score= 61Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BC–––– | 4.60 | — |
| 11 |  5 Sons, Landscape & DesignGreenfield, IA | C 55How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%67+36.5Reliability 24%54+13.1Value 14%99+14Replies to reviews 7%16+1.1Craft & service penalty98−0.2Momentum penalty0−10Experts Score= 55Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCAAFF | 4.76 | — |
| 12 |  Ogle Architecture & DesignOakland, CA | C 52How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%56+35.6Reliability 28%56+15.8Replies to reviews 8%63+5.2Momentum penalty55−4.5Experts Score= 52Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | CC––CB | 4.50 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Architects at a glance
How the 12 architects we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A650%
- Grade B433%
- Grade C217%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up542%
- 4.80–4.89★217%
- 4.60–4.79★433%
- Below 4.60★18%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality9922%
- Professionalism9421%
- Responsiveness9421%
- Punctuality8018%
- Value7617%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price1043%
- Reasonable1148%
- Overpriced14%
- Not sure14%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.