What do you charge for your design services?
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I charge $35 per hour and 48 cents a mile. Supplies and printing
(if applicable) are billed at actual cost. Progress billing goes out every
30 days from the start of the project until completion. I will provide a
proposal indicating the estimated total cost of the design fees.
What do we need to provide you to get started?
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Providing a copy of the Plat of Survey will save you a few hours of billable site time. If you are not sure where to find it, try looking through your closing documents. It is also helpful if you can browse through web sites, books, and magazines to provide samples of plants and styles you like and dislike. The remaining details will be obtained through meetings and conversations.
Each client has unique expectations, so it can often vary. However, the typical process is to conduct a site analysis, create three rough conceptual drawings, obtain feedback, and then create the final plan.
What is the advantage of hiring a designer over a Full Service
landscape design build company?
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A freelance designer has no pressure or influence to use specific products or plants Therefore, the designer works independently to ensure the design is a true reflection of the client’s vision. The client will then be able to take the final plan and get competitive bids from landscape contractors.
How long will it take to complete the design?
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Timeframes will vary. Factors that will affect completion time are the amount of client revisions, complexity of the design, size of lot, etc. Once I complete the initial site plan, I can usually provide an estimated completion date.
Do you provide landscape installation?
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I am strictly a landscape designer. I can provide a list of local landscape contractors upon request.
Is there a charge to come out a look at our property?
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Since I provide my services on a part time basis, I do charge for site visits at the standard rate. Potential clients are welcome to send photos and site plans via email or US mail. I can discuss the project over the phone at no charge. Afterwards, I can provide a proposal which will indicate an estimate of the total design time. Most of the time this is an adequate qualification process for the client. It also keeps my rates low.
I only design at night during the week and make site visits on the weekends, making me accessible to those who work full time. Since I am freelancing on a part time basis, this schedule seems to work well for the client as well as myself.
Would you be willing to work outside the Nashville area?
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I have designed a few projects out of state. Whether or not I can work on your plan depends on the scope of work and project deadline.. If travel will be required, it will be billed at actual cost.
Do you provide design services for landscape contractors?
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Absolutely. I do understand that some landscape contractors do not have enough design work to warrant a full time designer. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in outsourcing your design needs. I can even place your company letterhead on the final site plan.
