[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Autocad Civil 3D and LandFX. Plan renderings in either LandFX or Photoshop.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

I work for a multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering firm and I do all the preliminary site planning as requested by our largest commercial client. That includes all of the preliminary code research. Sometimes it might require multiple iterations until the client is happy with the layout. After the site layout is complete the document usually becomes part of the lease as an exhibit and is handed off to the development team and engineers to take it to the next level. Once engineered, the plan comes back to me for the landscape and irrigation design. We have other clients that have internal site planners to do the preliminary site design, before it is handed off to us to begin fine tuning the design and engineering all of the things like cut/fill, site drainage, storm water management landscape design etc. A lot of it is client driven and we roll with what it is they want where they feel they are getting the biggest bang for their buck.

On a side note, developing a project in Madison is its own bear. They are not an easy town to develop anything and there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Its unfortunate because of all of the additional work, our fees escalate accordingly.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Check with your State…they are all different.  But don’t delay, finish the exam and get it over with, I had to repeat a section because I waited too long.  

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

If you are currently using Autocad you could add in LandFX which is seamless and your learning curve (vs Vectorworks) is low.  LandFX has rendering capabilities and they are making constant upgrades and improvements to the program.  When you set up your palettes at the beginning of a job you can establish the rendered version of plant styles you want to use.  Once you have all of that set once your design is complete you can just click Turn Color on and boom.   You will probably have to make some adjustments to some line weights, color modifications etc., after its completed to get a look that you want, but it is pretty quick.  Turning color on and off is quick.  Certainly a lot quicker than the old days.  What once might have filled an 8 hour day can now be done in a couple, depending on the size of your project.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Andrew and Chris are right it doesn’t automatically mean a raise.  Billable rates are based on the position you hold with the firm.  Like Andrew mentioned having your license certainly makes you more marketable and most firms like to add that feather in their cap with the number of credentialed staff they have.  I remember when I was in your shoes going to my boss and asking for a raise and getting the standard corporate speak.  “well if you had your license it would be easier for me to go to upper management and request the adjustment.”  Go for it, get your license, there certainly isn’t a down side.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Andrew, I believe that FX CAD is basically Autocad LT, but you are right there is a cost associated with it.  I’m not sure why you can just use the LandFX add on with Autocad LT but i am sure there are some kind of proprietary features that prevent it from happening.  A couple of times a year LandFX does offer some pretty good sale incentives with deep discounts on their products.  If you can hold out for a sale its the best way to go.  

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

I am often befuddled by requests like this from clients.  (“Use rubber mulch in beds” almost made the top of my head pop off).  I agree with you that if your bedline is backing up to a hard surface like sidewalk or curb it is not needed and a waste of money.  Even if you put notes on your plans and details for the contractor to bury it flush with top of curb it will migrate upward over time and look unsightly as well potentially create a tripping hazard.  If you are not onsite doing construction observation I will guarantee you the contractor will not install it properly.  I have seen plastic edging installed along sidewalks, another head scratcher and it too looks horrible.  I always point out to friend I am with when I see these things what a bad decision it is to install product like this.  I would incorporate your disclaimer notes in with your other general notes and call it a day.  If you want repeat work from this client it is best to keep them happy.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

I am not sure what your background is when it comes to using any kind of CAD software, but before you purchase you might consider the following:

1.  If you are new to using CAD software Vectorworks Landmark might be the way to go.  I own the software and it has a lot of capabilities a lot of software programs do not.  

2. If you have worked in Autocad in the past you might consider LandFX.  It’s Autocad compatible as an easy add on or you can get their stand alone version of FX CAD which is the latest version of Autocad without all of the Autocad bells and whistles.  Trust me you will never need all of the bells and whistles that Autocad builds into their software and the FX CAD is plenty powerful.

Full disclosure, I own both programs, but I am only using Land FX exclusively.  My clients and associated disciplines I work with use Autocad exclusively and when converting and importing and sharing files autocad to autocad is the way to go.  Even though other cad programs say their files can be saved in a .dwg format it adds a lot more steps and isn’t as compatible as they would like you to think.  IMHO.  I have used Autocad for over 15 years and the LandFX add on was a simple transition.  And its quick to learn.  Landmark Vectorworks has a huge learning curve if your mind has already been trained in Autocad.  Terminologies are different so the process of developing a design is more difficult and time consuming.  That being said, if you have no CAD background what so ever Landmark might be the way to go because you haven’t had your head poisoned to draft in any other matter.  Just keep in mind the end user and who you might be collaborating with.  If you work with outside civil engineers or architects you might want to stay in the Autocad world.  

Sorry if I have blathered on here a bit…..hope some of this is helpful.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Just click the word JOBS and all of the postings come up.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Go to the State of Ohio Board of Landscape Architects link.  Search their site for Continuing Education.  They have a listing of Free online CE courses. They aren’t specific to Ohio either.  You might find something there that will work for you.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

The City of Chicago requires structural soil for plant pits in narrow planting areas.  The projects that I have worked on the trees were in similar 5’x5′ plant pits with tree grates.  My last project was in the downtown area and it required lava rock to be used in lieu of mulch.  You might also google Cornell Structural Soil or Amsterdam Tree Sand for additional information that might be helpful to you.

The goal is to make sure that structural soil extends beneath the walkway it is supporting and not just in the plant pit for long term success.

By the way the trees are still alive and it has been 6 years since they were installed.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

If you know who the contractor is before you get on site that would be great.  Walking onto a job site and seeing a familiar face always helps to put one at ease.  Call ahead let them know you are coming out to the job to observe the construction and answser any questions they may have.  Be confident but not arrogant.  If this is the initial meeting on site before construction then its a clean slate and you are basically just going to introduce yourself and see if they have any questions before the shovel goes in the ground.  Like others have said if you aren’t sure of an answer don’t just wing it, call the boss or designer and ask them.  The work crews are usually cool unless you give them grief.  Sometimes it is necessary to give them grief, but don’t start off your relationship that way.  Contractors can also be a good resource for solving a problem encountered in the field, so make sure you listen and don’t dismiss their ideas.  Building a strong working relationship is key.  That way future site visits will be pleasant and they will look forward to you coming onsite.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Given that you are working for a residential landscape LA firm, you will probably get to do some construction administration out in field.  That is where you will start to see what you have detailed become reality and will have a better understanding of what it was you have drawn in 2D.  When it really starts to make sense is when/if the contractor has an issue and you have to talk them through it or work out the design/construction collaborating with them.  When you successfully manuever your way through one of those discussion you will gain confidence that you really do know what you are doing and the next time you need to detail something you can pull from this experience and move forward. 

I have also found through out my career that establishing a close working relationship with contractors can also be helpful.  Bounce your questions off of them too.  Since they are the ones  that have to build the designs you are creating.  It ends up being a win win in the end.

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

My first job out of college, which lasted for 15 years was working for a major US retailer.  We had a 500 person Design and Construction staff.  I designed stores that we “self-developed” but also hired and managed landscape architects that were working for developers who were building stores for us.  It was interesting work, and I was traveling for the company all over the country.  I learned a lot about landscape design in different parts of the country that most LA’s may not get from just working local or regionally.  It was nice being on the owner end of the business.  I was also able to make a lot of contacts with LA’s around the country.  Two firms that I have worked for since my first job were through the contacts that I made from my original company.  I think developers are getting away from having LA’s on staff and are relying mostly on a team of consultants to provide the services they need.  If they can find a multi disciplinary firm that is a one stop shop for them all the better. 

[Dennis J. Jarrard, PLA, CLARB]

Here’s to our generation!!  Cheers!!

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