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Based Business Idea
L
A N D S C A P E D E S I G N E R:
Business
Description:
A
love of the outdoors and an appreciation of nature are used to provide
an aesthetically pleasing improvement to the exterior design of your
clients homes and businesses. As the expert "exterior
designer" you will
consult and provide the blueprint for future improvements and in solving
any problems that fit your clients dreams and vision of how they
envision their garden evolving. You may even orchestrate and
implement the plan with a trusted crew of workers. Your extensive
design service can include everything from solving a water drainage
problem to a lighted gazebo with waterfall and natural stone
patio. You advise on the care, plant selection, placement and
seasonal color that will best fit their geographic location and
please their senses.
Your
Unique Skills:
A landscape designer does not necessarily need a degree in landscape
design. However, to execute a fine drawing and to achieve appropriate
scale and knowledge of the thousands of plant varieties it is best to take some
courses. Many horticultural societies, community colleges, and even local
nurseries offer specialized programs. You may find them listed under
titles such as "Master Gardener" etc. Taking a local program can
introduce you to the best plants for your area.
Become
familiar with horticultural issues that affect the "zone" - temperate
area that you live in. You should be familiar with the pests and specific
care requirements of every plant you recommend. Your clients will be
selecting your services because of your flair for design but at the same time
you need to be able to understand what their "vision" of the project
is.
Tools
of the Trade
Be
prepared to present a portfolio of "professional" pictures of the
grounds and landscapes that you have designed. Within your portfolio you
can have sample blueprints of some of your work. Even if you start with
your own design or a friends - put it in the portfolio to show your initial
clients.
A
computer is needed if you are going to run design software and to maintain your
small business records. You might want to consider a laptop so you can
take it to the client meeting. Consider creating a form to capture their
comments and desires. When you have a design" session many thoughts
flow and you want to capture the picture they have in their mind as accurately
as possible.
Other
tools include basic drafting supplies, paper, pens a drafting table, possibly
design software, full-color books and magazines to study and show to your
clients for their feedback.
Many
designers today have their "virtual portfolio" or website on the
Internet to showcase their work.
Show
Me the Money
Designers in a good location such as Atlanta, Florida, California and the more
temperate climates can work year-round and have an opportunity to work and
charge a higher rate for their services. So the first thing you want to
decide is -are you in a good location? If so then determine - are people
seeking your services?
When
you start out you may want to charge by the hour and look at
approximately $25+ to start. After you have established your
business and your name you can either charge by the job or get a percent
of a total project. For large projects where you orchestrate ll of
the labor and materials you can look at ten percent. A typical
designer starting out part-time can expect anywhere from $15,000 to
$50,000 a year in a good location with plenty of clients.
Getting
Your Foot in the Door:
Many
designers begin by becoming associated with a local nursery. You
can learn through your apprenticeship and at the same time they can
become comfortable with your ability to design. In this way you
have the customers come to you. You may be answering questions for
someone while they are perusing the plant yard and they become enamored
with your expertise and design ideas.
Another
method of becoming discovered as a master designer is to create a
beautiful garden in your yard or that of a friend. Use it to hold
an open house outdoors and send fliers to everyone you know. Once
they see that you are in the business of design they can pass the word.
Creative
Marketing Technique
Offer
to give a beautiful little waterfall to a local merchant with your
business name displayed prominently that they can set in their shop.
Volunteer to create a garden for the local school, church or non-profit
and place a small garden accessory with your business name on it. Pass
out garden seeds with your business name stamped on it. Be
creative!
Creative
Start-Up Idea
Become a specialist. Focus on one area in the garden and become
the expert at providing a quality product or service. If you have
a flair for color then become the best seasonal color provider.
You can create a computer generated print-out of the look of the home
after your trusted crew adds the finishing touches to the planting beds
of your clients homes.
Can
you design a custom arbor or pergola? Create a comfortable outdoor
living space that will expand the living area of a home.
Be
creative!
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