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Landscape Design
"A picture is worth a thousand words" - Fred R. Barnard
If you're like most design/build contractors, you may think of a landscape plan as an unnecessary expense that is only required to make the sale. Well, nothing could be farther from the truth! More than just a pretty picture, a landscape plan is the only document that travels throughout the entire DB process from the initial concept, through estimating and sales, to the final installation. As a member of FromDesign2Build.com, you will learn:
- What to include, and not include, in your landscape plans to be effective
- How to handle design fees and design fee rebates
- Which design and graphic techniques sell--the first time and every time
- Why you should only create one concept, one plan, and one proposal
- Why you should always design the "Dream" master plan for your clients
- How to turn your drawings around faster with higher quality
- Why less is more and why a layout plan is all you ever need
The landscape design is the core of the entire Design/Build process. It should be a requirement for every project that you install--not just for your customer, but also for the success of your company. If you don't have a plan, how do you know where you are going?
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Online Portfolios -- Show Off Your Best Work - Professionally
Mike Swift
Many landscape professionals and firms have web sites. It is very common for these sites to include portfolios of sample work. The portfolios range from a series of photographs of various project sites to organized collections of photographs organized by project or type of work . . . keep reading
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Co-opetition--
The value of working with your competition
Jody Shilan, Editor
Business 101 has always taught us that your primary goal is to "beat the competition" at any and all costs. With the current state of the economy, the pressure to sell work is greater than ever and having a competitive advantage has never been more critical . . . keep reading
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Too Much Information (TMI) -- When less is truly more
Jody Shilan, Editor
In the early stages of my career I used to bring every piece of sales paraphenalia I had to my initial client meetings. Sample drawings, my leather bound portfolio of my installation work with my resume as the first page, and so many brochures and marketing pieces that I often had to take two trips to my car just to bring everything into the client's house . . . keep reading
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The Not So Odd Couple -- Landscape Design and Production
Jody Shilan, Editor
The ultimate goal of any landscape design is to see the "plan" ultimately installed. The role of the designer is to create a vision of the client's goals and desires and develop these "dreams" into a thoughtfully created landscape plan. The role of production is to take that plan and build it . . . keep reading
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Outsource Your Drawings--Why You Need a Virtual CAD Assistant
Kyle Burgamy, Contributor
Before you hire a full time landscape designer, why not consider "outsourcing" your drawings to a freelance CAD operator? To remain competitive and profitable, a landscape designer or contractor must constantly seek to improve efficiencies with their services . . . keep reading
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You Want Fries With That Plan?
Jody Shilan, Editor
Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your client is to actually limit the amount of choices they have when it comes to the design of their landscape. I know, at first glance, this sounds counter intuitive. . . . keep reading
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About this Site
