AlanB
Elite Member
Dougster said:That's great that you can do that, but remember that our respective businesses are very different. I can understand why people would pay you to do their landscape design whether or not they had you do the actual work. On the other hand, I am not a landscaper or landscape designer. In fact, as we discussed before, my business liability insurance specifically forbids me from doing any sort of "design" work. I believe the word "engineer" in my insurance application probably brought that on. No way they wanted to cover me for any sort of "errors and omissions" in regard to any kind of design work I might be tempted to do.
The advice I am giving these potential clients is all about the options they've got for accomplishing their particular design or functional goals. No way I could ever charge for that sort of advice. That's the most basic first step toward defining and proposing the work to be done.
As I said, I am enjoying getting out there and meeting these people with yard problems, redesign ideas and any other kind of TLB-related work to be done. It is part of my education and indoctrination into this dirt and debris moving world. No regrets yet... but for now, the water's still running and the lights are still on.![]()
Dougster
I guess I keep hearing you say what you won't, can't should not do, but have not heard much about what you do. Maybe I am just missing it.
My point in that last post was that when you are out there giving that advice, you should consider charging them for that. IT IS COSTING YOU MONEY. If you do this constantly, and do not AT lEAST cover your costs, you will be shutting down and doing something different. If you do not feel that you are giving them something of value by you being there, that is a basic problem that you should look at.
On the next front, from my impression on what I see here (and I am certain I do not view the "whole" deal) You are too limited on what you are willing (for whatever reason you choose, insurance, desire, ability etc) to do, and tasks you want to accomplish, to work directly with homeowners and have a successful business. Most homeowners want turn key, point to a spot in the yard and say "I want a beautiful flower bed there" PERIOD, how much will it cost me. From my view, you are only willing to do a small part of that and expect the HO to track down and work out the rest. My experience has been that that aint gonna happen.
I am honestly not trying to be critical, as in the end, if you succeede or fail, it really will not effect me in any manner. I am just trying to offer you an insight as to what I see as a guy that has played at the side of this business for the past 15+ years while my wife is in the middle of it every day. I also know that I certainly do not have all the answers, and would love to hear from someone that has cracked the code on employee's as that has absolutely been our greatest problem.
I guess could you spell out for me, in simple terms (if you are interested) what work you do.