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Wow, good advice all around.
PSU...we have only been in business one year. We're going on our second. There has been a major learning curve so I don't mind about that. I AM more familiar with perennials than I am some shrubs. This particular guy wanted a privacy planting around his whole border and it already had quite a few deciduous trees. He was pretty fanatical about utilizing his entire property, to the point where a large area was behind some white pines and unless he actually went there (I designed a path from a different part of his property to lead your eye there) he would never see it. I found it challenging to find tall evergreen shrubs that grow in the shade. Also, because the perimiter was so large, I wanted to give him some variety. I try to solve "problems" by making it look like there never was a "problem" just an area to be landscaped.
True, I didn't go to school for landscaping, I have my degree in fine arts, which is admittedly a far cry from landscaping. I did go through the master gardener course as well, also not truly landscaping school. I've been personally landscaping (more gardening truly) for years, but my partner has been landscaping professionally for 11 years.
I have no problem by learning, that's not the problem at all. I totally feel that I am capable of producing one rockin' landscape...right plant right place...form following function, color, texture, etc. I know I am not experienced enough to truly charge for my time, I'm wicked psyched I actually get paid to learn.
My real question is how to really charge appropriately. I appreciate the encouragement. The learning curve is always so obvious after you've learned the hard way.
I like what agla and TrickyDick said about the two separate contracts. That makes a lot of sense.
I also really like agla's description of how to describe what they get for the money. I've truly just been using the "design fee" as an incentive to get the job. I guess I feel if people are going to go with us, designing it is part of the job.
I think I will charge based on the complexity. That should separate the truly interested from the fishing for information people.
Not that I am one to talk, but there is a happy medium between TrickyDick and agla. We never ask budget. We let the client tell us what they want (garden, patio, complete landscape, no clue) and we'll toss around some ideas with them. We always do the best design we can for the area. We tell people that they can modify however they want, but it's easier for us to take things out, then add things in. We tell them the design is sort of a rough draft. Once they decide to go forward, we go over it in more detail with them until they are happy with it. It's rarely more than one to two revisions. Our thought is we don't want people to think we are designing something to the max of their budget. We try to let them tell us what they can and can't do. We generally get a pretty good feel just by talking to them.
Thanks so much guys! It's so nice to be able to ask questions to experienced people. I really really appreciate all your input. Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.
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