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Turn Around Time?

How long do you all normally specify to clients before you will get back to them with something to view? And how many do you take on at any 1 time?I am a habitual procrastinator and rarely get designs back within a specified time - sometimes it's because I am too busy but other times it's because I am waiting for the right inspiration to strike me. Forcing out a design has never been a pleasant experience for me. Is this common or should I be pulling my socks up higher?

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  • I know what you mean. On some projects the design is sort of instinctive so the plan is done in a flash, estimates provided and start date put in the diary. The whole project from start to finish can be a matter of a few months. Others are a longer process, usually because of the site, budget, requirements or rather lack of, from the client.

    If you are like me, when designing I am actually 'walking' around the space and seeing potential problems as the design is growing, see the planting as mature and the colours, textures, light and shade it will produce. You can't force that, you really have to feel it. I know that sounds very pretentious, but we are providing a 'dream' garden for our clients, they have to live and tend it long after we have finished, and they are paying. We have to get it right.

    That's where the music comes in, helping to fuel the mood!
  • Once I've got all the information from a client, I usually say to them I'll have something (developed concepts) within a couple of weeks. I don't like to rush it, but I am always aware of the amount of time I spend on the design versus the amount I'm being paid. Usually I sit at the drawing board doodling and sketching randomly, pouring over books and thinking about the brief.

    It's not uncommon for me to sit for hours without ever putting pencil to paper. But if I don't have anything after a while I do just knuckle down to it, grab some layout paper and take the black felts to it, sketching widly until something comes up.

    It's hardly a process you can rush, so I never give definitive dates for turn-arounds on designs, so it certainly isn't just you. But I find once I can visualise the shapes, features and hard-landscaping in a rough form, the rest of the design follows.
  • Yeah I try all sorts of things to get motivated when nothing comes up - especially music and doodles!! Trouble is if the client doesn't give alot of info or doesn't show alot of enthusiasm then I find it very difficult to pander to their creative desires. Truth is I have a deadline very soon for a design and I ain't got squat to go on. I have been out on site (landcsaping) most days these past 10 days though so time has been limited but clients would rarely understand or sympathise with such an excuse.

    I am glad to hear that it isn't only I who gets into these pickles!!
  • I try to limit the amount of time I spend outside doing the garden maintenance when I've got designs to do, (much more enjoyable work for me :) ) but usually the designs end up being done late at night when I have nothing else to do if I haven't had the time to do them.

    In cases where clients aren't being very enthusiastic or giving good information for the brief, then take what little information you do have, spend half an hour or so looking at inspiration material, and do a rough concept to look like anything. If the clients hate the concept you show them, then you can get them to explain why and that usually gives more to work from. If they like it, well that's win win.

    If they don't know what they want in a garden, then just show them what is possible, usually works for me.
  • I mknow exactly where your coming from. The simple fact of it is good design needs inspiration and enthusiasm, if you don't feel it then do something else. It will be on your mind whilst you are working and something will come to you.
    Also if you do design and build, how enthusiastic are you going to be about building a garden when your not happy with the design?

    I find in that situation a malaise creeps in, the job takes longer than it should to get done, nobody's happy.
  • Ohio Plantsman said:
    We set a appointment for the next appointment when we receive a deposit for the design work to be done. This sets a goal and better customer service.

    I tried this when I first went on alone in business. I found that this method didn't allow any lee-way if I didn't have the final production by the deadline and this left the customer feeling instantly disatisfied even before they had seen anything. I do find that giving a rough guide of 2-3 weeks or something along those lines allows enough lee-way to ensure a piece I am happy with and that the client will be happier with. Being a little vague also indicates to the client that this isn't something that can just be rattled off like any old drawing and they seem to respect this.

    My problem is - as a hardened procrastinator - that I can't get the inspiration to work until i am under the grill a bit. I know this isn't a healthy business behaviour but try as I might I cannot change it myself - and I have been trying since at school; I always started essays, projects or art pieces the night before they were due and I always attained excellent grades. Thus having told clients I shall return in 2-3 weeks, unless I take something away from the survey which I can put down straight away and build upon, I generally don't start work until the final week.

    And I agree with James:
    "Also if you do design and build, how enthusiastic are you going to be about building a garden when your not happy with the design?

    I find in that situation a malaise creeps in, the job takes longer than it should to get done, nobody's happy."

    This is very true - so perhaps it is worth waiting to get the thing as it deserves to be?

    I would be interested to see if any of you guys have a similar affliction of behaviour when it comes to initiating a design?
  • Hi all,

    at the site meeting I will tell a client to expect their first drawing in a month, but that the time it takes will vary for all the reasons you have stated above and that I will ring them when it it ready to be viewed.

    Once I am happy with it I ring them and arrange for them to come to my office to go through it. This is often done on a Sunday, when they are more relaxed and have the time to come in as a couple. I never send a design through the post.
    (Actually, I now work from France so I am having to send designs through the post to UK clients)

    Colin
    www.garden-design.co.uk
    www.gardendesignfrance
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