If you're overwhelmed by the task ahead of you, consider hiring a landscape architect to install foundation drainage. With a little guidance from you, she can put together a plan that is beautiful and practical so you can get the most out of your yard in California.

A landscape architect can get involved in planning the yard of a new home even before the lot is cleared. They often work with architects and contractors to plan the best arrangement for sidewalks, sprinkler lines, decks or patios, or even outbuildings.

For an existing home, a landscape architect can plan a yard makeover. She'll take into account what you want to accomplish, natural elements like the type of soil and direction of sunlight, and what kind of plants will work best. Many landscape architects aren't directly involved in the digging and planting. They'll hire someone to do that.