Landscape Architect vs landscape designer? I have been both. Landscape designers represent a contractor. Their job is to sell you whatever the contractor does most profitably. This might vary considerably, depending on what materials "need to be sold". I'm a landscape architect, which means I draw plans and details that you own. (See resume) With a comprehensive plan and details in hand; you or I can shop among the various contractors without the necessity of a general contractor who must mark everything up by up to 50%. (See Construction management at the bottom of fees) I have no vested interest in selling you any particular product. My only interest is satisfying all of your needs including your budget. Design isn't an event. It is a process of refinement. Every detail is decided by someone. The basic steps are: Concept, preliminary, revisions, final, and documentation. It can be substantially completed before construction or during construction. I have worked with a few clients when the final design was very different than the original concept. A sketch is the based on a semi scale plat. It is the first step in the design process, but isn't accurate or detailed enough for construction without interpretation. A scaled 2D plan is a conversion of the fat fuzzy lines of a sketch into something that can be dimensioned. The effect of the 3rd dimension (height) can be calculated, but not adequately demonstrated nor verified with a 2D plan. The plan can be no more accurate that the survey of existing conditions. To that end, I recommend you hire a surveyor. 3D design model is an effective tool for working out construction details and making sure that everyone is imagining the same thing. It serves to avoid misunderstandings and significant change orders during construction. It's not just a picture of the design; it is the design. Design changes and alternative scenarios are very easy and extremely cost effective compared to change orders during the construction process. Choices are easier and less stressful when you can see the difference between alternatives, compare the relative costs, and confirm or adjust your priorities. Working drawings include dimensioned plans, elevations, and construction details as well as material specifications. My revolutionary techniques of using the design model to produce working drawings saves significant time in the conversion. signaturelandscapes.com/drawings/deck.pdf Construction is the realization of expectations by creating functional art. It can be fun, frustrating, or both, but it's always expensive. Understanding produces agreement which allows efficiency which minimizes frustration and cost. Design and documentation aren't a waste of time and money. They are the basis of understanding. The following is an annotated and illustrated step by step outline of my procedures, deliverables, fees, and payment schedule. Statement of work – I am a registered landscape architect with 25+ years design/build experience, therefore qualified to perform the full bundle of professional services. Since everyone has unique situations, I have developed a step by step stream of services that proceed in the following order: - Receive, prepare, and print your survey (plat) if you have one.
- First meeting and sketch,
- Scan and trace our design into a 2D Plan using AutoCAD
- Build a basic 3D model
- Online presentation, walkthrough, and markup
- Revisions (markup and revisions repeated until you are satisfied)
- Update AutoCAD plan to match final 3d model
- Dimension plan
- Optional supplemental plans, details, and specs as needed
Optional Project administration – 15% of all costs + travel expense (if any) Minimum 20k project budget, Types of formal documentation for design services – Optional supplemental plans and specs include: - Planting plan
- Supplemental plant data
- Irrigation plan
- Lighting plan
- Construction details and specifications
Estimate of charges – I charge a very reasonable fee of $70 per hour including one way travel + overnight accommodation if necessary. See fees - 1st Onsite meeting and sketch typically costs a few hundred dollars. The variables are: If I have a survey before our meeting, our time together is much more efficient. If your project is simple, you probably don’t need me, but complex issues might require several minutes to an hour or so to resolve to your perfect satisfaction. I use colored flags and paint to help us visualize and agree on a design as quickly as humanly possible. I draw sketches faster than anyone (1-3 hrs) if I have an accurate survey, daylight, and decent weather. Given time, I use my erasable colored pencils to help us visualize and agree on the sketch design as quickly and efficiently as possible. I try to produce this sketch during our 1st appointment, but occasionally we need more time to resolve conflicting issues. If you are much further than 2 hours drive, I have found it to be more cost efficient to stay over in a local hotel than spending another 5+ hours driving. I don’t charge for time spent in overnight accommodation unless I am working on your project.
- Scan and trace your 2D planting plan typically takes only a few hours because our sketch design is already to scale, and I have specific tools and techniques to make the process the most efficient possible.
- 3D modeling - I use special software to allow me to create a basic model in a few hours to several hours depending on many variables that we will discuss when we meet. The psychological aspect of this process varies between individuals. You will realize insights not possible by any other method, which refines your ideals, which provides insight, which generates new ideas, which reveals alternatives. I don’t require that you know where we will end before we start. You will find this journey to be exciting, and gratifying, while easing the tension of making decisions in a vacuum. My skills and efficiency improve with each model, but I haven’t increased my rate so you are getting a better value than all clients before you.
- Presentation - As our design evolves, I add details, textures, entourage, and background to increase realism and visualization. This process advances along with design refinements and is impossible to guess because of the dynamic aspect of the process. We use this model to walk through our design, take screen captures, and mark them up to represent revisions. Design is making choices between conflicting objectives and restraints. Design is refinement of your ideals based on the constraints of reality. Presentation is how we communicate intent between us, and with contractors.
Payment schedule – I prefer to be paid upon delivery of the sketch, 3d model, planting plan, and/or other supplemental deliverables. You may stop at any point in the design process with notification of cessation of services and full payment of services to date. Lead time I keep a few to several projects underway most of the year. I can normally visit your on your site within a week, or online within a couple days. We can normally produce a model sufficient for us to review online within 2 weeks of our 1st meeting. |
