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I act as Project Manager, or General Contractor, on my larger projects. Not on all projects.
If a project I designed only requires a landscape contractor, I just refer a couple of contractors (I don't get a finders fee).
As far as PM goes, I have a contract between myself and the homeowner.
I put a mark up on my subcontractors of between 12% and 20% depending on the trade. I NEVER ask my contractors to offer a price break for me. I wouldn't recommend doing that. As a side note, you need to understand the difference between "mark up" and "pure profit". For example, if you want to make 15% profit on a project, you need to mark up your subs 17.76% to get that profit.
As far as the market not being able to take this kind of a mark up, that's a bunch of crap. Your client doesn't know what landscaping should cost. They won't even ask you what your mark up % is. I've had ONE client ask me what my mark up is in 5 years.
Also, people will tell you that you won't be able to compete against design/build companies because your prices will be higher. That's crap too. And so what if your prices are higher, good for you!
The key is to understand the benefits/advantages you offer the homeowner as a project manager. You will need to be able to SELL them on these benefits.
Here's what I explain to homeowners when I meet with them and why they should hire me over a design/build company:
1. We are a "Design Driven" company, not a "Sales Driven" company. I like to say that "we don't design around our inventory or the talent of our crews."
2. I explain to them that we get multiple bids from qualified contractors to ensure fair and competitive pricing.
3. I explain how important it is for the designer to oversee the construction. This ensures that the shared vision between designer and client is realized. Also, the homeowner only has one point of contact to communicate with.
4. I explain the importance of having "specialists" for each task. For example, I'll hire a mason for most stone and brick work instead of a landscape contractor. A landscape contractor might be good at everything (plantings, irrigation, paving, etc), but they won't be GREAT at everything.
If you have clients who understand the value of design and the value that you bring as project manager, you should be successful.
Hope that helps. Good luck!!!
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