Looking For Landscape / Garden Design

?Cee?view

hardly work'n,

I'm surmising here, but would it be correct to say then that his design was for soft landscaping (i.e. plants etc.) rather than the hard elements (i.e. walls, driveways etc.) and their technical specs. - materials etc?

I'm just trying to get a handle on what was included.

Thanks

Sonnenblumen

Minesajackdaniels wrote: »

Folks, mark me carefully here:

If you have a problem with posts on this thread, report them. Any more on-thread bitching and I will infract or ban every poster who cannot get their head around that fact. Sonnenblumen has very strong opinions on this matter that he/she it has expressed strongly, and I'm seeing snipey responses from the side who believe that expensive drawings are a rip off as well, and it's unacceptable.

Keep it civil and stop the swiping, all parties.

This is an argument about value, and as the OP, hardly work'n, I would recommend that you don't take the path of over-reading into what's been posted here and accusing people of being somehow unhappy that you got good value for money.

I also don't support the argument that a designer is not good just because they are cheap, but I don't want to see any more arguments that have no more merit than "cheap = crap and pricey = great".

This is a good thread - I would recommend some of you review your comments so it doesn't end up locked.

Majd,

I was going to make some more replies, but decided to make one more comment here because otherwise it was becoming tedious and a waste of time confronting much yakety yack and unsubstantiated negative comment about professional garden design and landscaping. I couldn't care less what anyone charges for design, but I do know what the prevailing rates are. They are not all the same, they do vary sometimes under any one of several influences, but it to some extent circumstancial and very much timings. A Dublin designer quoting for a project in Cork, would be more expensive perhaps than a local designer for the simple reason of travel/meetings. There is nothing new in someone finding an unusual deal/bargain, and yes I truely believe in this instance and incredible deal was completed. If someone completes an assignment for such a low fee, so what. Why do I say this, because € 30/hr charge-out rate is not sustainable for any employer and a significant number of the self employed. I know what public indemnity fees, employer liability insurances etc costs are and € 30/hr is grossly inadequate. I also resent the snearing comments that some have made about 'landscapers or designers' charging more are some how some rip off merchant. I also reject that there is any significance or truth in pay back time for hard working professionals. I can speak for my own direct experiences but also broader professional involvement within the industry and good insights into the trading circumstances of many companies. Despite the prevailing concerns/media fuelled negativity, some companies are doing extremely well, most are probably operating at below previous levels (which for a number might have been inflated anyways) but otherwise doing well whilst others have suffered, including downsizing, reduced margins or even ceased trading.

To me too many are confusing price with value, and like 'one swallow doesn't mean a summer' similarly '€ 250 design fee for 1 acre site' may only be taken at face value and does not mean that up and down the country the incumbent business model has become redundant.

?Cee?view

Sonnenblumen,

Your points in this post are well made and clearly you do speak from experience of the actual industry.

I must say though that I don't detect the sneering towards you on this thread that you seem to feel exists. Rather, I think that you've been somewhat sneering in your attitude towards others and where inane comments about arrogance have been made (with nothing else useful to add) you've risen to them rather than ignoring them as they deserved. Frankly, I can understand why you'd adopt that attitude, but while I understand it, I do not necessarily agree with it. To pin my colours to the mast, I am a lawyer. My profession has been attacked, left, right and centre over the last few years, and in many cases deservedly. Many lawyers adopt your attitude and I can confess myself to having adopted it in the past. I think it's a logical, if somewhat misguided, reaction to a profession being perceived to be under threat. It's more helpful to all to be more open to criticism and to learn from that criticism. It's always better to proclaim ones own positive attributes such as experience, track record and proven customer satisfaction rather than suggesting that others might be lacking in some of those areas.

You are without a doubt correct that many businesses are continuing to do well in the current environment. Those that are perceived to offer quality, and continue to offer quality and professionalism will continue to thrive, even if it is more challenging for them to do so.

I note that you have ignored an issue I raised above (as of course it's your prerogative to do). I just cannot see how a one man design company (i.e. sole trader type) would have a high overhead, particularly if it has no employees and takes people on on a contract basis. I can't see that there would be high insurance costs in this model. For instance, lawyers (specifically solicitors) must have Professional Indemnity insurance or they are not allowed to practice. (Whether it's commercially astute or not to do so would be a different issue). Surely it's not the same for garden designers, but I may be wrong?

MJD, to be clear. I'm not attacking or impugning any one individual here. I'm responding in a general way to issues that have been raised.

Now finally, one practical thing, to quote myself and to ask Hardly again:

I'm surmising here, but would it be correct to say then that his design was for soft landscaping (i.e. plants etc.) rather than the hard elements (i.e. walls, driveways etc.) and their technical specs. - materials etc?

I'm just trying to get a handle on what was included.


If I get the answer to that, in the absence of anything else that's raised to do with actual design (rather than the business of design), I'm out of here.

...collective sigh of relief all around:)

hardly work'n

churchview wrote: »

hardly work'n,

I'm surmising here, but would it be correct to say then that his design was for soft landscaping (i.e. plants etc.) rather than the hard elements (i.e. walls, driveways etc.) and their technical specs. - materials etc?

I'm just trying to get a handle on what was included.

Thanks

Yes it was just for soft landscaping the plants and ect. We are leaving the odd levels and planting them as a feature. We are lucky the way the site is situated. It is on two levels (due to the old road) Sloping from front to back with a ditch along the back property line. So drainage on the site has never been a problem.

We did design our own (we meaning my wife) hardscape feature in a large outdoor kitchen & dining area. We have a question mark shaped concrete bench with a concrete firepit in the center for of the bench. Then a wood burning outdoor oven (Roman Style), a long concrete countertop and a texas style bbq. With a large concrete dining table. We opted for solar lighting & did not put in a sink becouse just too much hassle with trying to get wiring & plumbing. We do have a sink that can be filled with ice or water when needed. With drainage to the back. So hopefully when it is all finished it will look the business.

?Cee?view

Thanks hardly,

I appreciate your reply.

I hope you get the good weather you're clearly expecting

PC

PC wrote: »

Well done hardly work'n...I've been watching this thread with great interest as I'm in the same boat.
Is there any way I can get the name of this 'Designer' as I would love him to have a look at my 'jungle' and hopefully make some sense of it.
Cheers...pc

Hi hardlywork'n,

I dont know whether its against the 'Boardie' rules or not, but is there any way I can get this Gentlemans name or any sort of contact infomation from you as I need him badly. I have a garden that needs some expert advice and care!!!
Best of luck with yours.

Cheers
pc

Anduril

Fair play, hardly. delighted it worked out so well.
And you'll hopefully find that doing the hard slog yourself will reap its own set of rewards in years to come, apart from the financial.

The Sweeper

In terms of sharing the bloke's details, nothing on-thread thank you, but what you share by PM is your own business. Please note that we take no responsibility for any information you get on these fora that turns out to be a bum steer.

twenty8

mojo74 wrote: »

We used a bunch of guys called www.alliumlandscapes.com. Thought they were pretty good, and had some great suggestions. Their portfolio looked good so we gave them a shot. The garden was one of those total transformation jobbies you see on TV. Price wise I thought they were good value considering the end result.

mmmmm.... first post........

Cabaal

mojo74, I don't like spam, so I've deleted your post and I'm locking this thread