Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
1. What service areas do you cover?
I generally am able to service close to a 20-mile radius from Pottstown, PA (zip code 19464). If you are unsure if you fall into my service range, please feel free to reach out and I'd be happy to discuss with you. While this is far from an exhaustive list, most of my clients have historically been from the following areas:
Malvern, Paoli, Berwyn, West Chester, Newtown Square, Phoenixville, Oaks Downingtown, Valley Forge, and Spring City.
2. Do you do Garden Maintenance Work?
Garden Maintenance was a major part of my workload over the past 19 years. However, because I was doing so much of it, it ended up monopolizing all of my time. I had very minimal time left to do more of the creative work I also enjoy (and my wait times were very long). While I still maintain a small handful of maintenance clients, I am not taking on any new garden maintenance work at this time.
3. Do you do Hardscaping Work (Patio's, walkways, etc.)?
No, I do not do any hardscaping work myself. I also do not do any technical constructions or grading plans related to hardscaping. I may include patios, or walkways in my designs but preparing the final specifications on those items and implementing them is out of my area of expertise. I am happy to provide any good reference that I have.
4. Do you do lawn mowing, mulching, tree pruning, etc.
No, I do not do any lawn care, garden care, or tree care but I am happy to provide any good reference that I have.
5. It seems like you don't do a lot of things that a typical landscaper does -- why is that?
While my educational background did include all elements of landscape contracting, my interest and my experience drew me to the more detailed work of fine gardening design and implementation. I have found that I am able to keep myself more than busy enough doing quality work that covers only design, installation, and seasonal flowers. I often hear from my clients that the larger companies were not able to zero in on the details of their specific needs. Big companies tend to be in the business of a quick and more generic turnaround. Larger companies certainly have the resources to do many things I cannot however, where they are weak, I am strong. I specialize in the areas that these larger companies tend to lack which is a customized, detailed, and unique end product.
DESIGN QUESTIONS:
6. How long will it take once I reach out to you until you can complete a full CAD design and/or Install project for me?
The design & install process is exactly that -- a process. While exact times will always vary, the average wait during peak times of the year (spring and fall) is generally 4-6 weeks for a completed design for new client contacts. During off-peak times (summer and winter) the wait time on my queue is closer to 2-3 weeks. I am always happy to provide more accurate estimates based on my current workload so feel free to reach out.
7. I am not looking for an elaborate plan but just need some ideas -- can you help me with this?
Yes! Preparing a CAD layout is extremely valuable in the design process, but it is also more time consuming. For smaller or less involved projects Photo Imaging can provide an alternative to CAD. Using Professional ProLandscape Software, I can project images onto a photo of your landscape. While this is not as precise, it will help to give you an idea of what plants would look like together and how to (roughly) place them in a small area.
PRICING QUESTIONS:
8. How much do you charge?
My current hourly LABOR rate (maintenance, installation work etc.) is $65/hr.
My current hourly DESIGN & CONSULTATION rate is $75/hr. with a $375 minimum for plan view designs.
9. Why do you have a minimum design fee for designing even a very small area?
There is a base amount of time it takes to prepare all the documents and drawings needed to convey the information -- even in a very small design area. An area that is twice the size would not be twice the cost because I am able to build off of the foundational work that needs to be done for every plan (small or large). Also, preparing a well thought out designs takes more time than you might think. Here are the steps involved in just a small plan:
- visit the site to get measurements and other site data notes.
- enter the basemap data (from above) into CAD.
- brainstorm various bed shapes and/or layouts to the general flow of plant materials and focal areas.
- weigh the pro's and con's of the various layouts and determine which best allow me to meet my client's needs.
- determine specific plants for each area with pro's and con's of each and adjust plan spacing based on mature sizes of these selections.
- compile a plant list of all plants portrayed in the design with substitutions (where applicable).
- compile a photo icon sheet of each plant portrayed in the design.
- label each page of the design presentation.
- add other supporting photos and/or photo images as required.
- send e-mail of completed design to client that outlines the overview and highlights of the plan
- possibly meeting with client for in person review (where included in quote).
- answer any follow up questions or adjustment suggestions to clients where tweaking may be required.
10. Why do you charge for designs and not offer refunds back if I hire you to do the installation work?
Every company has a different approach. Because I am a designer -- I charge for my designs. I invested many years (and dollars) in college to become educated in the field and also spend thousands of dollars every year in software subscriptions and computer upgrades to be able to produce quality designs. Some people won't charge for a design because they are not actually designers. They want to throw a quick plan together (that often will not age well) just to get quick approval and make some money on the installation. I re-do many of these landscapes to correct all the mistakes that were made in haste. On the other hand, there are larger companies that will charge just to come out and look at a project and won't even bother with jobs that below a certain size. Of course, there are also some companies that may put together a quick generic design for "free", in the hopes of getting someone on "the line" to install things at inflated prices (which would cover their design fees in the end). I don't feel it is ethical to "discount" or "refund" design fees that are really baked into the installation cost in the end. I like to keep it simple and upfront and just be compensated for my time. Once I complete a design it is yours to use as you see fit. I am always happy to quote the installation portion for you, but you can always opt to install the plants yourself or hire another company to do it for you. There are no strings attached!
11. Do you offer discounts on plants?
I am first and foremost a service-oriented business. I do not sell shrubs and trees separately from those that I will be installing as part of an installation project. If you do decide to have me do the installation on a design I created for you, I would provide the required plants to complete that project as part of my quote. I source my plants from a handful of trusted wholesale and retail locations. Where I do get discounts for being a business, I do not pass those directly on to my customers. Instead, I aim to charge on the whole order (slightly below) what it would cost if my clients were to purchase all the plants themselves. All of my designs come with a plant list, so it easy for my clients to know which plants are being used so they can price out what it would cost if they were to buy the plants themselves. Sourcing the correct variety, size, quantity, and QUALITY of plants can be very time consuming. The very narrow profit margin I might make on some of the plants helps me to offset just a portion of this time. I find that when my clients end up installing the project themselves, they pay a good amount more, on average, than it would cost to buy the plants through me. Of course, they are saving on labor by doing the work themselves, so it all depends on what works best for each person.
12. Do you offer discounts if multiple neighbors use your design services?
Typically, the answer to the questions is -- No. The reason for this is when working with a client (and his or her spouse) I am meeting with them on a time that works for their schedule and preparing a plan that meets their specific criteria for their specific space. If multiple neighbors are in need of landscaping it will still require multiple trips out to the site, multiple phone call and interactions with different people, and multiple plans that each meet specific needs. In other words, there is really no time savings on my end that would allow me to pass on a discount for time saved.
