J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

As I mentioned…..regardless of the “Design Fee”, if would be sure that “every” Project I designed first had a “written Contract…signed & dated by both parties”. It’s just good business. Include “Scope of Design Services:, Fee, When the Fee is to be paid, Clause for Revision time (hourly rate), Hourly fee for Site visits & Site Meetings;…[Read more]

Hello Andrew….You’ve made several very good points here. The only thing I question is your statement about “State Laws” controlling how much $$$ Landscape Architects can charge up front. I’ve just never heard of that issue before. My concern over the years is that “some Clients” after you have spent many hours creating a “Preliminary Landscape…[Read more]

Hi Amber…You’re more than welcome. Yes, I really feel strongly about getting 50% of the Design Fee up front (with a written (signed & dated Contract)…The contract isn’t “personal”, just good business practice. And, when a Client puts up 50% of the Design fee..they have skin in the game. Some Clients will take advantage of some Landscape…[Read more]

Hello Amber….Your question is a good one. For me, I practiced @ 2 Landscape Architecture Firms for about 13 yrs..then, went on my own in 1991 @ Age 41 (a 1 man Design Firm). Over the past 10 years, a majority of my design projects have been “virtual”,,.as I work out of my home.

The time it takes to design any project really depends on the…[Read more]