[Alpenglow]

I graduated 5 years ago with a M.S. in Horticulture/Landscape Design and have worked off and on in Landscaping and Landscape Design, but primarily as a seasonal with National Parks. I am now starting a Landscape Design Business as my primary income. I have already ran into situations that I had not previously encountered.
The biggest problem and my question is what is the designers place when hired as a sub-contractor? Most of the Landscapers I use just hand over the Clients name and say go to it and when it comes to the install It goes to that Landscaper. I sthere some un spoken etiquette to use.
I have only one Landscaper that gives me headaches. He acts as a go between so that I never meet the CLient then tells them what he thinks my designs will cost and complains when I say that doesn't work. I have had to drop the prices of my designs because he says they won't pay that price, and that he has to have creative control. He says he hired me so he pays me then I only get half of the cost and he walks with my design! I realize the latter is my own fault. You may be thinking "why don't you just drop this guy?" Well, I live in a tiny town and I can get decent jobs from him. I guess I need some help with business savvy. Please Help!!!