Landscaper's Challenge

[Georgiehopper]

I went to a client's house the other day to continue work on a design that they decided to resurrect after almost a year of not hearing from them.

During my initial meetings, there was no husband and wife, just him. In fact, I thought he was single. I had come up with simple, low maintenance design for the guy and he was ready to do it........... then I never heard from him again eventhough I made several attempts to contact him.

Now here it is, nearly a year later and he emails me to tell me he wants to pick up where we left off and would I come out and see him again. So I agreed..... when I got there it turns out he has a wife who nixxed everything that I designed and she wanted to start all over again. By the way, I never charged the guy for the design because he was a referred by a friend.

So now I'm talking with the wife....and you know what she says?

She said "I want this to be just like "landscaper's challenge" on TV and once I get your design I'm going to get other bids on it"

Well that turned me completely off and now I don't even want to do business with them.

I want to tell them since others are going to bid against my design, its only fair that I charge a fee for it.

What do you all think? Honestly, I don't even want to do business with them anymore...they are out of my service area anyway...as I said, it was a favor for a friend.

[Shuter]

Tell them that you are too busy or some kind of nice excuse like that. Then tell the wife to contact HGTV for assistance.

[TSM]

Then tell the wife to contact HGTV for assistance.

[Keith Howells]

I never meet with a couple unless both parties are present - period. I had what you described happen to me only the wife was there and hubby was not. This has saved me a lot of grief.

Second, if we design, we install. We learned that lesson the hard way. We completed a nice design and the couple went to a different installer. They did not follow the plan. They used the wrong plants, didn't follow the bed lines etc. We figure our reputation is on the line with a design and I don't want some lowballer who can't read a plan doing the work.

Finally, we had some guy hit us with the "Landscapers Challenge" deal. Walked on that one. Told him he has a challenge all right. Finding a quality company that will go along with that premise.

[twins_lawn_care]

I'd say you'd do the design, but have to charge them for it IF they did not decide to use you for the install. This way, they have some edge to choose you, and if they don't, you still will get paid for your time to design the work.

[Tim Canavan]

what twins said.

[Georgiehopper]

I would like to tell people 'if we design, we install" but how do you tell them that? In the past I have done designs alone but I charged for it....now though, I don't even want to do lone designs even if I'm getting paid for it, because it seems to me to matter how much I charge them, its just not worth the hassles. They end up monopolizing my time...

[TSM]

one of the nice things about owning your own business is that you get to do things your way.

If you want to design and install, and you got the work coming in, then just say 'no thanks' to those who want your design only.

another point.... you should feel good about the fact these folks want your design (even though they want to bid it out to others to install)..shows you have a creative eye and a professionalism that others in your area lack.

[newleaflandscape]

I always charge for design. If its is a nice job I really want I tell them the cost of the design and tell them it will be put towards the job if they decide to go with me.

[Team Gopher]

Hi Georgiehopper,

I would like to tell people 'if we design, we install" but how do you tell them that?
Here is a thought. Maybe for this specific customer, charge for the design and then maybe deduct that charge from their final bill if they choose you to do the work?

[Georgiehopper]

I already do that. I apply the cost of the design to the job...but there are some people who don't want to pay for the design regardless of whether or not they intend to use us for the install.

My problem is this one particular person who was referred by a friend. They want everything for nothing... originally they didnt want a design, just an estimate for some simple landscaping.....then the guy's wife got into the picture and decided she wanted it to be just like Landscapers Challenge. Usually, I make sure both spouses are there...but last year, she wasnt in the picture....I thought he was single. Now she has appeared and has just changed everything.

I had a budget worked out with guy too.... sent him the proposal last year... then I heard nothing and frankly I was kind of glad because I didnt service there area anyway...like I said it was a favor for a friend.

I wish these people would just go away...because the whole thing has snowballed from a simple landscape enhancement to something which requires photo imaging and a plan drawing. I always charge for these services....but this person is trying to get all of this for nothing PLUS go out and get bids from others.

I'm worried if I tell them to forget it now..they will call the better business bureau or something.

I just dont want to deal with them at all.

[TSM]

..they will call the better business bureau or something.
So??you have nothing to fear. Your only refusing to work for free.

you are obviously a nice guy.

I have one more suggestion....
put them off. if they call just tell them you are knee deep in work and that they may have to wait till the fall or even next spring. After all, they put you off for almost a year. (chances are you truely are knee deep in work, so you are not telling a fib)

[charlies]

all of these types of shows come up with the worst ideas i have ever seen. wether it be outside or inside project-type shows, they are REALLY bad design ideas.

Anyway, on that show, the three contractors do not bid on the same plans, they all present different plans. the homeowner chooses the one they like. hey, that's kinda like real life...

[WeatherMan]

Always charge for you design. I will not hand over a design unless the check is in my hand

[DFW Area Landscaper]

This is cut and paste from my standard maintenance contract:

++++Landscape design & proposal consists of taking measurements of existing landscape and using good judgement to draw plans and present pricing for landscape installation. Design price does not include making changes or alterations to plans. Minimum drawing requirements are black & white on 8.5” X 11” paper. Drawings will be shown to customer, but will not be left with customer. If customer elects to hire Meier’s Landscape Maintenance to install the landscape as designed, the design fee will be deducted from the price of the install. A separate written document will govern the terms and conditions of the landscape installation.++++

Most folks seem to think it sounds reasonable. So far, no one has signed up yet. But the season is still early and I only advertise landscape maintenance. I don't pursue design/install at all.

Later,
DFW Area Landscaper

[IndyPropertyCare]

Tell her that the design will cost her $1,200.00....but if you win the bid it is included ( free ). :rolleyes:

[Big M LawnnSnow]

Simply stated..
Like Charlies said Landscapers challenge has three different designs with three different designer/Installers. NOT who will install MY design the cheapest.
I have no idea why they call them REALITY shows. I don't see whats so real about them.
Tell them to call HGTV as your busy till fall.
99% of the time the woman of the house gets it done the way she wants it to be.