[Terre]

Woooo hooo! I just got my first ever upfront fee for design. I know this may seem pretty basic to most of you, but to me it's a milestone! Why in the world have I not been doing this all along?

It was actually quite simple. I did a walk around with the couple, discussed needs and future plans, budget constraints since they want to do part of the work themselves, and told them I'd be happy to draw them up a design to scale, with lists of plants, and steps to follow for their part of the work. My design fee is $250. I got the check before I took measurements.

Good grief, the number of plans I've drawn up for free and didn't get the job now really aggravates me!

Thank you especially to Agla, PSUscaper, and all the rest who have taught me so much here this summer.

[Cochran]

Congratulations!

Doesn't it feel good to take that step in your business?

Keep it up!

[jwholden]

Congrats on getting your first design fee! The number of designs may go down but your close ratio will go up along with your social life now that you aren't wasting your time with tire kickers any more.

W A Y T O G O !

[Dale Wiley]

Outstanding... now remeber how I got filleted for getting $ 950 design fee for a $ 18,000 install.. which has now went to more than $ 23,000..

and the job is about 15% ahead of schedule at noon today...

[Stonehenge]

Congrats Terre - you'll also find that people value your advice much more when they are paying for it.

[Terre]

Thanks everyone. I just feel so legitimate now!

I couldn't get past the part that there are dozens and dozens of other 'fly-by-night' landscapers offering free estimates and was afraid to run off anyone. I actually lost one bid to a guy whose idea of a design was to go to the home and outline with spray paint where he wanted to put the flowerbeds, and told the owner the rest would be grass. So, I've dumped hours and hours of time on research and drawing up designs only to never hear from the people again.

I don't think it's about the size of the overall job, it's about getting paid for your time and the knowledge that the customer doesn't have. These kids know they don't like what they have, and it isn't toddler friendly, but they need guidance in how to change it. Certainly won't be an $18K job, but there has to be a niche for me and the under $5K jobs.

From all of you, I've learned how to draw the plans, how to quit wasting my time on the wrong prospect, how to deal better with the customers, who to run away from, how to bid the jobs more accurately, and so much more.

JW? What's a social life?

[PSUscaper]

It's a good feeling getting a check and actually having someone value what you do. I'm sure it will lead to many more.

[johnkeegan]

Remember when you ask for a design fee, you're telling the potential customer that you have confidence in your design skills. To a potential customer who really values their landscaping, that will not go unnoticed. The others who don't value their landscaping, won't find that appealing...And which of those two groups do you want to concentrate your energy on?

[Inspired]

Congratulations!

IMHO a design fee of $250 for a job under 5k isn't bad at all.

[Terre]

The fee was a little higher than what I normally would charge for no more than they need. But what they needed, was DIY directions. They have more energy than money. So, included in the fee, was what to do, in what order, where to get the sod, compost, etc., which plants to remove, how to trim their roses, etc, etc, etc. It's their first home, and they want to learn.

I presented the plan to them, and they are thrilled. They will start this weekend with relocating the retaining wall, using a bobcat to remove excess dirt, installing sprinklers, and laying sod. They assured me they could do all this over the weekend.
If they can still move by Tuesday, then I'll go lay out the next section of the project, which will involve more of my hands on.

So, how do you charge for education and training of the homeowner? :-)

[Lanelle]

Either by the hour or a lump sum for each section or type of task. And don't sell yourself short. Obviously, you know how and what to do. Being able to teach that to someone is worth quite a lot.

[Inspired]

Originally posted by Terre
I presented the plan to them, and they are thrilled. They will start this weekend with relocating the retaining wall, using a bobcat to remove excess dirt, installing sprinklers, and laying sod. They assured me they could do all this over the weekend.
If they can still move by Tuesday, then I'll go lay out the next section of the project, which will involve more of my hands on.

A concerned citizen might consider warning the neighbors.

[GLAN]

Terre

I know how you feel and how you feel about what you have gotten from this site.

This site and the members got me turned around last year, or was it the year before?

Any how.......and I have been in this game a long time, lots of ups and downs.

The people here are as far as I am concerned tops in their field and genuinely good people......to this day I still get a tear in my eye thinking about how I was floundering so badly......and this site

Yes........GTX turned it around for me

If I could I would get everyone a great big Bear Hug





And yet.....my time here participating is sporadic


Any way.........Congrats and good luck...keep up with GTX and never look back.......Nothing but Rainbows ahead

[Terre]

You are absolutely right Glan.

And my kids didn't get nearly as far along as they thought they would. Something about a disagreement over how to lay the blocks around a curve. AND sore muscles. And a sprinkler system not where it should be.

And there is nothing like a long labor day weekend to make someone value hiring me to do this for them. :-)

[peteg]

I just received my first design fee also. I bought landscape pro and decided to do it myself. It works great when I got the hang of it.