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  Keith Barker February 5, 2011 at 8:40am

  One thing to consider is whether you would consider challenging your client's direction to put a patio somewhere or not. If in your opinion as a designer the client's requirements are ill thought out or impractical then you'll probably be suggesting alternatives which will entail some design input on your behalf.
  
  A simple way to approach the issue would be to have a project value cut off point where anything below a certain figure gets classified as a 'small' project where all services are quoted for a fixed price. That way you can cover your design related costs without having to separate 'design' out on your quotation.
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  Richard@www.seasons-garden.co.uk February 5, 2011 at 10:15am

  I think you have to judge each potential job on an individual basis.

  If design work is required, i.e. survey & drawing in order to build something then this is chargeable. You can recoup the fee by either charging for a design or pricing it in to the overall costs including the build. A lot depends on the budget of the client and usually if a large amount of money is being spent then proper drawings are necessary. If it's a small budget then charging for drawings & visuals which aren't really necessary might make the difference between getting the job or not. Sometimes the client will simply be happy to go with your ideas and you can get by with your own simple plan and quants

  I make a point of asking as many questions as possible before the consultation stage to gather whether the client is serious about having the work done and whether they have thought about a budget and then we are able to work out a strategy for design/fees and take it from there. I used to work for a landscaping firm that never asked about budgets and drew up a plan & design for every job regardless with roughly 1 in 5 giving the go ahead. I never saw the sense in this and still don't.
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  laara copley-smith February 5, 2011 at 6:21pm

  every garden is treated on an individual basis , as said below ..I agree with much of what is said below by Keith & Richard ....& Jonathan on the NO Drawings .....That is what you are a proffessional to do & this is chargeable , yet as said depending upon project may be costed into the entire design & build or priced as separate entity .

   

  Genarally In my view providing drawings with the costing/quotation is devaluing yourself as a proffessional. Some individual situations maybe different

  IE:  you are tendering for a project where their is a fee paid to all who tender to provide sketch proposals.

  I tendered for a charity garden , we were expected to provide initial drawings yet there was a fee paid to all whether you got the tender or not.

   

  personnally I do not do any mood boards at point of quotation for design fees.

  However this may be part of the design process.

  Whether a full design is needed or simple / sketch design/proposal is needed is really something you have to evaluate on site for each potential job.

  Also often what was to be a simple `sketch` design, upon the go ahead which then may include a more indepth meeting prior to the ` `sketch design`  can  become a full design.

  One has to evaluate the prospective client/s as well as the garden in the costing process. projects can start small and become much bigger . it is about clarity with the client , being upfront , evaluating `extras` that occur and if it is appropriate that they are chargeable extras making that clear.

  Trust & value yourself .

   

   

   
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  Craig McGibbon February 6, 2011 at 1:04pm

  Thanks to everyone who have taken the time and trouble to reply with their opinions.

  All very good advice:

  • No drawings
  • Professionalism
  • Trust and value yourself
  • You've seen my designs...

   It good to understand what others are doing and l need to fall into line... have the confidence to say here's my price... take or leave it.  Thanks again all

  Peter Ward said:

  Hi, 

  I dont charge for a consultation it helps get bums on seats as it were, after a brief chat where i get a feeling for the clients needs/wants and they get to know me etc i go away and send back a contractual letter stating my fees as appropriate and a client brief which states the general direction of the design and any points brought up in the consultation. 

  The client can amend the brief if necessary and opt in/out of whatever they don't like in the contract; they might think they dont need planting plans or they might be happy tendering out to contractors themselves that type of thing. I don't start any work until the documents are signed, that's the way i was taught at college.

   

   

   
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  Craig McGibbon February 6, 2011 at 1:50pm

  Thanks Brigitt,

  This is very valuable information.  It's a shame that potential clients are happy in essence to cheat you and get a freebie...

   

  I think l need to get into THE HABIT as part of the initial conversation to say... l'm happy to visit you at a time convenient to discuss your garden, design and requirements, for this service l charge.... maybe also back it up with some information on my website for those scanning for suppliers...

   

  Thanks again for the advice - have a good day!
  
  Brigitt Stevenson said:

  Hello Craig,

   

  Interesting concept which I have learned very well from past mistakes...

  A New POTENTIAL Client wouldask me to look at their property, I would Survey it and give them ideas, under the impresion that I will be the one Drawing the Blueprint and getting the labor for this job, but later they would call and say thanks for your ideas we are not sure what route we will take at this time....maen while they have some of my suggestions and are going out to hire their friend or relative to help them do the work---the work that I had recommended !!!

   

  Long ago I learned from this Lesson, and Charge and always DO Charge a CONSULTATION CHARGE, right at the moment when I step onto a Client's Property...

  Remember this is my TIME, my KNOWLEDGE, my EXPERTISE, which this Client wanted----just like when you visit a Doctor or a Lawyer, or A Dentist, they share you fees for their Professional Opinion, so why shouldn't You????

   

  I lay it sraight on the table before I visit the Client this is my Consultation Fee and if they want to know why, I give them the same explanantion...

  Good Luck!!!
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  Steve Barker February 7, 2011 at 10:24am

  Has anyone tried this approach; Tell the customer upfront that the quotation/estimate is an integral part of the design work (or vice versa) so in the first instance the there will be a charge of £... but if they decide to use you for the landscaping work the design fee will be waivered.
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  James Dixon May 15, 2013 at 8:09am

  But if you employed a designer as one of your staff you would want to charge for their time wouldn't you? Otherwise they would be a drag on your bottom line.

  You wouldn't expect to give away the time of a brickie or paver so why do you give away design skills?
  
  John Cavill said:

  I never ever charge for a design. I use them to close the business then add a little to my landscapers quote for the build. I find I have loads of designs to do and I must say I close 96% of them. Its a difficult market here in North Lincolnshire and it works for me so I will keep doing it. :)