submitting landscape plans

[ClipKing]

I am in the early stages of putting together a business plan for a lawn and landscaping company. I have a formal education in plant and soil science, with an emphasis in turfgrass science. I am currently an assistant golf course superintendent, however, I simply long for the freedom of owning my own business and feel as though I am not making most efficient use of my knowledge for my own personal gain-only for my employer's gain. I feel really comfortable with the lawn side of the business but feel like I need to have the landscaping side as well to help subsidize the lawncare side. Furthermore, I enjoy doing landscaping work. I have had some experience while in college doing landscaping on my own. This experience has given me the taste of what it's like to own my own business. In college, however, I had my brother, who is an architect, draw up my plans by hand. Although his drawings were excellent, I still did not feel as though they were professional. I realize to be successful in this business, you must portray a professional image. Therefore, my question is, how do most of you, particularly those who are not formally educated in landscape architecture, draw/design and submit your plans in a professional image? Do you charge for this plan even if it's not accepted? If not, how do you guard against basically doing free design work if they were to take your plan and do it themselves? Do they sign contract? Sorry for the long post, just have MANY questions to get answered as I am trying to get all my "ducks in a row" before I start the business. Thanks for the help!

[Seascape]

I charge $600 for design work. I have 3 architects that i sub these out to. 1 specializes in rock and boulder work 1 specializes in water and falls and another is all around good w/ all. If a client takes the plan tan i credit the cost to teyre final invoice. I submit them on blue print. my cost about 400-500 depending on how many im giving them.
mike

[Phil Nilsson]

Many are using a landscape design software showing before and after shots ... www.drafix.com is one of them. There are many others ... most are not cheap ... but very convincing for customer presentations and worth spending the money on.

Phil

[Old Shoe]

l/s plans

Nothing will irritate you more than driving by a property and seeing your design, either planted by the homeowner or by another contractor. If you are going to invest your heart and soul into a landscape design, make sure it is paid for. For design work, ask for an investment up front. This can be credited back if they elect to allow you to do the landscape, or if not, they own it and paid you for your expertise. If you decide not to charge them for the design, present your design, but keep it in your possession until they sign the proposal and make a deposit.

Draftix has a great CAD program and it is simple to use, and quick. By investing some of your time to learn the program, you will easily recoup your investment many times over. Their newer version allows you to even print the plans in color, further improving the presentation document.

You can always purchase some drafting paper, straight edges, and plant symbol templates to get started with.

[andersc1]

Sorry to butt in here, but speaking of landscape / plant templates, does anyone know of a good place to purchase some. I've got a few now, but deffinately would like to increase my options.

Thanks in advance,
Curtis