Are You a Design Driven Landscape Business? Introducing the Upward Spiral

To charge or not to charge for landscape design work? I absolutely ENJOY this topic, unlike the majority of landscape contractors who would rather go over the most recent design of skid steer as opposed to discuss charging design charges. As design/build professionals we MUST charge for our design work. I'll describe why in a moment.

But initially, let's speak about 2 unique sorts of landscape companies-"Design Driven" companies and "Sales Driven" companies.

I specify "Design Driven" landscape companies toronto and landscape designers as those who put the design above all else. This is the company who aims to exceed the customers' expectations by providing appropriate options to the specified issues and issues. By "appropriate solutions", I'm referring to solutions that are best for the CLIENT, not the business.

"Sales Driven" companies are those who put THEMSELVES prior to the client. These companies and individuals offer solutions that help themselves more than their clients. These companies are not concentrated on providing landscape design solutions as much as they are on making a "back-end" sale through a construction/installation agreement.

If your landscape design procedure is assisted by exactly what plants you have in inventory, materials left over from previous jobs and the ability set of your landscape staff, then you are a sales driven company. If this is you, then I say continue offering your design work away. If you are in the minority and consider yourself to be a design driven business, then continue reading.

Landscape design specialists should have to be paid a fair cost for their design time, creativity and competence. Enough talk about exactly how a design should be treated as a "Sales Device" and offered away. Each time I hear this, I just wish to knock my head versus one of the numerous segmental preserving walls that control our landscapes.

I think about there to be 9 reasons we have to charge for our landscape design work, however in this short article I will only cover one concept which I describe as "The Upward Spiral". I coined this term to explain the result on a business, or landscape designer, when a commitment is made to becoming design-driven. This dedication, plus the occurring convergence of 4 factors, all enhancing each various other, produces a spiral upward.

The 4 factors are:.

1. Charging a design cost (consistent with your present skill level).
2. Enhancing confidence.
3. Growth in landscape design skills.
4. Greater level of clientele.

Each of these factors affects the various other. As an example, when a client compensates you for your design expertise, they are showing confidence in you. This show of self-confidence, trust and regard naturally results in higher confidence in yourself. With this enhanced personal confidence, you inevitably end up being a much better designer with a growing skill set. As your skill set and skill level boosts, the level of your customers increases as well. As your level of clientele boosts, your landscape design charge increases. This chain of occasions and "upward spiral" go on and on and on ...

This "upward spiral" starts with a commitment. You must be committed to charging for your work. If a prospect does not desire to compensate you, then you stroll away. You should be committed to growing your design abilities by advancing your education, visiting magnum opus by others and by stretching your imagination beyond the industry standard.

Back to self-confidence for a minute-- one usual thread among all the successful landscape designers I have actually fulfilled is self-confidence. Trust me, when you start getting paid for your time and knowledge, your self-confidence will rise! Your design work will show this included confidence resulting in a profile that goes beyond 90 % of your competition. At this point, you will attract the most valued clientele-those that anticipate and desire to pay for your design proficiency.

Ask yourself--"Are you a design-driven business or a sales-driven business"? Get onboard the "Upward Spiral" and take the initial step by charging a fair landscape design charge for your time. If you remain to "hand out" your skill, you lose the trust, regard and self-confidence that include being viewed and dealt with as an expert. Without this, exactly what is your incentive to improve and grow as an expert landscape designer or design/build company?