Now that I'm coaching a bit more regularly and sometimes unsure whether I'm going to be working in design mode or hands on, I've started shopping for a few extra goodies.
If I had to claim one area of expertise, it would be on the design end of coaching. I used to carry a typical shoulder bag that began with a clip board, a pad of 8.5 x 11 grid paper and a couple of pens and pencils. I'd also bring along my trusty Sunset Western Garden Book (lots of plants and lists) as well as a few other good list books. This got me through a typical scenario where I'd interview a client regarding their needs and desires, use paper to help illustrate simple concepts, suggest some plants, and rely on the client to take notes and put my ideas into practice. But I often felt like this type of advice ended up being somewhat ephemeral and not enough would come of it.
In these cases, I'd offer to return to the office and spend a few hours "on the boards" sending back a more or less scaled drawing of the concepts. To draw this type of plan requires measuring more accurately than just pacing off the general features and hoping to remember the other critical details. So I got a bigger bag. Into the bag went a range of measuring tools (100' tape and a screwdriver to hold down the "dumb end" of the tape, plus assorted smaller tapes), and a digital camera for capturing the details. This way I could more accurately measure the areasand be able to draft a reasonable base sheet on which to draw my design back at the office.
Next thing I knew, I was throwing an oversized clip board in the trunk and a few sheets of 18" x 24" paper, a T-square, drafting scale and a couple of drafting triangles. A few weeks later a bought an Alvin portable drafting board complete with an attached gliding drafting bar. It has fold-out rubber feet that I can either hold on my lap or set up on a patio table. I've also purchased a rolling measuring wheel so I can just walk the yard and read the dial--pretty slick, but close to $100.
I've been carrying this current kit for about three months and had occasion to use it three times. In each case, based on phone conversations prior to the visit, I had the sense that the design requests were relatively simple and could be knocked out on the spot. All three of these jobs followed the same track - an hour to walk the property and get to the gist of the problem areas, 30 minutes to measure and draw a base sheet, then a quick drawing on a sketch paper overlay to leave with the client. The drawing indicates categories of plants--large shade tree, background shrubs, medium perennials, ground cover, etc. On the side of the page would be a list of 3-5 plants that fit each category.
The whole shebang runs about 2-3 hours, I get a check on the spot and offer to expand the list from my office, sending the results via e-mail. I get paid in advance for the office work.
My most recent job has been a quick turn around "performance piece" with a few hours of consultation, shopping for plants, guiding the gardener in removals and pruning, then spotting the plants for him to install. So now the tool kit includes two pairs of gloves (one heavy and one light duty), a pair of loppers, a folding tree saw and my trusty pair of Felcos. Just to be on the safe side as our Southern California winter approaches, I've just purchased a rain-proof parka and rubber boots.
My most recent purchase is a digital video camera. This allows me to get the entire garden from many vantage points while narrating my design ideas and noting special features as I walk the site (I do this AFTER the interview and without the client in tow). I download the video to my Mac with iMovie, allowing me to "rewalk" the site as often as I need to. It will pay for itself in saved time, retention of my brilliant braindrizzles, and improving my accuracy in responding to site features.
I think I'm ready for just about anything now. If more develops, I'll let you know. As far as I can tell, profits still exceed my expenses and word of mouth is sending a lot of work my way. I think people appreciate the ability to take on any type of work without having to schedule separate apppointments. They also seem to like watching someone else get dirty.
Nuff for now...
Blogging at www.gardenwiseguy.blogspot.com
Website: www.billygoodnick.com
Wow, interesting insights into what real professionals like yourselves do. Looks like you're able to offer the whole range from what I consider coaching (teaching do-it-yourselfers) to design/install. Good for you! And I like the photo.
Posted by: susan harris | November 04, 2007 at 03:14 AM
Susan: Thanks for the nice words. Thanks to you (founder of this site) I "discovered" that the limited landscape architectural services I've been offering for years falls into a nice niche called "coaching."
Once I came to grips with that, my approach to services and marketing have gelled and given me a bit more clarity. And now I know what to shove into my car before I step on the gas!
The photo was taken in my TV co-hosts yard. Nothing like a little Ficus pumila to make a garden wise guy look good.
Posted by: gardenwiseguy | November 04, 2007 at 06:38 PM
I'd add a laser level to ones 'bag of tricks'.
I keep both a 3 point David White transit and the much faster and easier to set up laser level in my truck.
For Christmas I want Santa to bring me a digital transmitting level.
Drainage is the bane of any landscape designers existence, so you gotta get your topo correctly dialed in. A simple eye level can do the trick in a pinch but for far greater accuracy a laser level mounted on a tripod is the next best thing.
You can pick a good quality laser level in the $100 to 200 range.
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Derviss | November 20, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Michelle: Great advice. I used to pop a string line level and roll of yellow construction string in my bag for the most primitive situations (I call it "Fred Flintstone" engineering). But the laser really is the best way to go.
Maybe Santa will have an extra in his bag for me?
Posted by: gardenwiseguy | November 21, 2007 at 03:03 PM