mark foster

Perhaps we should all file a class action suit against these clients– maybe “breach of humanity”.  The mental anguish has to be worth something…
Or, maybe  we could put a spec in the middle, starting with “in the event the client becomes insane….”  🙂

Steel does provide those nice clean sharp curves on a budget like nothing else can.    I think it has a place in certain applications, and we have used it many times.
Most manufacturers have more options than you may realize.  There are a variety of gauges  Some offer longer stakes.  Some make it wider (6″ vs. 4″).  All of which will give it more…[Read more]

 I have found that if an employee’s desire and technical experience is sufficient, this is usually the fault of the person at the top (que the mirror!!!).  The “quantity vs. quality” tension is omnipresent, and having been on both sides (employee/employer) I know there can be some real mixed messages.
As we all know, materials and overhead are la…[Read more]

 “but whenever I do visit a site, I see problems that I believe should be obvious to my team leaders, yet seem to be missed completely”.
Are they just not seeing it, are they making a value judgement about quality which is below your standard, or do they not have the technical skills to pull it off? 
 

I agree that it is a specialty within our profession–and probably a great marketing hook.  
The largest local market seems to be “nursing homes”–especially the ones which emphasis rehabilitation vs. end of life care.  I have worked on a few of these, and it’s interesting to talk with the physical/occupational therapists…. 
I believe there is…[Read more]

I don’t think practice law is the main reason so many contractors give “free design”.  I think they mistakenly believe it is an effective marketing tool.  Trouble is, most people who get something for nothing believe it is worth exactly that.
Clients run the gamut–from those who want the most stuff as cheaply as they can get it, to those who wa…[Read more]

Thanks Craig,
Interesting how the grass is always greener?
I will remember what you said when I have yet another tedious conversation about the calcium content of the new type-n cement or the latest DOT regulation….. 🙂

I also took Mike’s course a couple of decades ago.   I don’t remember it being the “my way or the highway” as you describe it Alex.
We worked with lots of different media–not just markers.  (One which I found invaluable was prisma color sticks–super fast and subtle.  Good for small presentations.)
The other was the emphasis on qu…[Read more]

The “economy to scale” is hard to fight in residential–especially in the less than stratospheric markets.  Best to be design/build or partner up with skilled tradespeople.
If memory serves, wasn’t Tommy Church design/build?

I recently researched building a bridge across a stream and came across (many) companies using railroad car beds.  These would definitely be long and strong enough.  Here’s one:  http://www.paragonbridgeworks.com. 

Aaron, you are at a good place for some great advice–every question I have asked here has been met with very thoughtful and accurate answers.  
If you want the best advice it would help if you provided more information–if you are comfortable doing so.   For instance:  Are you personable and interested in management/sales, or more of a nuts an…[Read more]

To Zach’s point.  I think the perception of a landscape architect’s “value added” has to do with the client’s time horizon. A developer who is building to “sell out” a subdivision in 2 years will probably not care about what that stunning copse of beeches will look like (or how they will cut heating costs) in 25 .  He/she will also care less a…[Read more]

Well, I’m still listening….interesting discussion (at least to me).  
So, the question I ask myself (especially now in my mid 50’s in design build), is why am I still doing this–besides shear inertia?
We all know the stereotypes (couldn’t cut it as a real one, in it for the money blah blah blah), but what is beyond that?  I mean, is there s…[Read more]

We are a “professional” discipline.  We deserve better.

FDR memorial, Washington DC

Brittany, 
I worked as an employee in D/B for many years, started my own company about 15-20 years ago.  I can’t answer your “should I stay or should I go” question, but I can offer advice if you go……
You could become a consultant and sub out eveything, but you will not have the total control over your work.  You will also find your subs an…[Read more]

My profession walked away from me.  My state board outlawed licensure experience to take LARE if the the candidate works for a registered LA in design build–effectively restricting my rights as an employer.
Why would I support an organization that does not accept me as a full member?  

Doesn’t really surprise me…..I voted with my feet (and wallet) a long time ago.

Every form of communication tells two distinctly different things about you:  what you can do, and who you are.  An employer wants to know about both, usually in that order.   Email tells much about the first and very little about the second.  An interview is at the other end of the continuum.  In between are mail and phone conversations.  
A sup…[Read more]

Try masonryinstitute.org.  I know they have inside fireplace specs–may have outdoor ones too.