[tjl]

I have been a landscape contractor for approx. 30 yrs, doing design/installs and lawn maintenance. My wife and I moved and are taking a year off to build our home and in the meantime working on various business plans. One of those plans is a design only business with project management as an option. I am having difficulty in getting my hands around this concept as I always made my money from installations and not design only.

I would love to hear from anyone who is doing design only about there business model.

Is there money to be made in design only?

My feeling has been that most of the bigger money is in design/install, however we are starting all over again and I am not as interested in doing the work myself (even though I have all the equipment to do that), just not the youth to go through that again. (

See my website at www.legacyland.com for projects I have done.)

We are currently gearing up for a design only company and have been purchasing more design software and printer to accommodate these drawings.

I would love to hear from anyone about this subject. Also how they price different options to the customer. And anyone who would like to email me personally is welcome. thank you.

Tom
Virginia

[Alberto]

This will be no help to you, but I have considered this idea in my area as well. My concerns were (1) What could I offer the customer that a design/build firm could not, (2) What type of customer, and how many of them, would pay for design services from someone other than a LA. I work at a design/build landscape firm/nursery. We do have a minimal charge for landscape plans here, if the people want to do the work themselves, and even at that minimal price we don't do very many. My point I guess is that if you're not a LA, unless you do such outstanding design work to generate word of mouth business, can you make enough by just designing without installing?

[agla]

The biggest difficulty to overcome is that most people do not start looking for a designer, they start looking for a landscaper. That usually puts someone between you and your potential client befofe you have even met that client.

LAs are usually hired before construction of the building begins. Their work sources are often references from engineers and architects and have to be involved in the project through the permitting process in many cases. They are often hired before the work has begun on the lot and sometimes before the lot purchased.

You are in a tougher position because you are neither part of the permitting phase or the first place they'd look for a landscaper.

[Lanelle]

I totally agree with agla.
And to add another factor, have you studied the demographics of the area where you are located?
Is there a large enough population of affluent homeowners and estate owners who would be interested in your services?
Lots of folks who have grown up with a farming background have a fairly self-reliant attitude about their ability to plant things and build things.

[FungusMudGrub]

It is definately doable if the demographics are right and you are a patient enough (just like any new business, I guess).

There is a very sucessful design company near me on the coast of Maine, headed up by a longtime experienced landscaper who got sick of doing the messy parts. He has several designers working under him, and does site layout, planting plans, and project management. Very much in demand.

If you can establish a good reputation, people in the know, with ambitious needs, will think of you instead of just calling the first landscaper in the yellow pages

[greenxander]

TJL,
I agree that most people who are looking for help with a residential project think that they need a "landscaper" but they are usually not clear about the differences between a design/build company and a designer/project manager (as well as about the advantages and disadvantages of the various options available to them).

If they're getting your name from the yellow pages, you will be listed there along other designers and design/build comapanies. They will probably call you too and you will both decide if you are a good fit for the project (based on a number of factors).

Whether design/project management can generate enough income will depend on the local demographics, clients' confidence in your design skills and your access to (and ability to collaborate with) dependable contractors who do quality work.

There are also other factors such as experience with estimating the amount of time that the various tasks take you, setting appropriate fees and securing yourself with contracts that do not leave you open to endless, unexpected extras and add-ons.

Best of luck and let us know what you'll decide!

[tjl]

Thank you everyone for all your comments. We will continue to put together our business plan for this model.

To answer some of your questions, yes we think there is plenty of affluent customers building new homes and second homes is our area. I have talked with various people in the building and inspection trade and have gotten some insight as to where the building is taking place.

I welcome any more comments and will keep you posted.

[Alberto]

Good Luck on your endeavor, and I hope that I didn't sound too negative in my first response. In actuality, there is something in your favor as a designer only. You can stress to the client that your design will be based upon what is appropriate for the client's need, rather than what you have in stock at your nursery. "Why did you use so many Boxwoods on my plan?" "Cause I've got a lot of them that I need to move!" Again, good luck!

[saslandscape]

I love being a design only business and I highly recommend it to anyone who are in a really strong market. If you can't get enough business on your own, look at smaller landscape companies that will subcontract you out at an hourly wage for your designs. I design for four landscape companies, and a home builder, and this has provided me a steady source of income when clients haven't been as plentiful (like right now during summer time).

Design-only also has very low overheard and a high profitability rate if your market is in need of your designs. Make sure you know of a couple reputable landscape companies personally, that your clients can get estimates from- this is extremely important criteria for the client who hires you.

[wecope_]

I applaud you. There is a fellow in our area that landscaped for many years and started doing design only. He writes a gardening editorial in our local paper and offers his sevices at, I think, $150 an hour. I have seen a couple of his plans and have actually worked off of one of them. I know he stays very busy.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

Norris <><
Rom 12:2

[wecope_]

Jump to the help wanted forum...."trees" is looking for a designer only connection.
Good luck,
Norris <><