ATTN: Landscape Designers & Landscapers - Business ???'s - Need Comments
kzinaz
I am looking for landscapers and landscape designers advice.
I am interested in starting a service in my area for landscape
designers, landscapers and pool contractors. I have many years of
experience using a variety of graphics and CAD software programs. I
am hoping to provide a service whereby I would transform a
landscaper's or landscape designer's sketches or ideas into high
quality, site specific, sales presentation material.
This idea came from my recent experiences in attempting to solicit
estimates and ideas for landscaping and a pool for my own home. None
of the landscape companies I received estimates from actually provided
any type of drawing, sketch, illustration, etc. One pool contractor
provided a nice colored pencil illustration. The others provided a
simple pencil sketch, scribbled while I waited.
I would hope to provide a variety of sales presentation material
tailored to the individual clients need and/or budget. Here is a list
of the presentation types that I could produce and a short comment
about the various types:
1. Black and white CAD drawings in plan view using typical landscape
symbols. These are easy and inexpensive to produce.
2. Full color CAD drawings in plan view using typical landscape
symbols. Also easy to produce, slightly more expensive, nicer
looking.
3. Full color illustrations in plan view and elevations. More time
and money needed to produce, has great "artwork" look to
it.
4. For pool contractors - plan view presentations using a combination
of CAD drawing, color illustration and photo realistic texture
elements. Easy to produce using stock elements and CAD
background drawing.
5. For landscaping - full color photo-realism elevations of the
actual site with the proposed landscaping using a photo of the
site and stock images of plants, elements, etc. Advantage is
customers see photo of actual site, more expensive than other
presentations.
6. In the future, and perhaps for larger projects, 3D computer
rendered graphics. Expensive and time consuming, not for smaller
projects.
***Note: I use the term "client" to describe the landscape designer
or contractor. I use the term "customer" to describe the landscape
designer's or contractor's customer.
In order to produce the best presentations I would also provide at the
clients request:
1. Detailed measuring at the site in order to produce an accurate
scaled drawing.
2. Taking photographs at the site for photo-realism presentations.
3. Various sizes of presentations, 8-1/2 x 11 as standard, larger as
optional.
4. Ability to receive client's sketches by fax and to fax drafts to
clients for changes and approvals
5. Estimate of presentation cost.
The advantage to using an outside source would be:
1. Obtain high quality sales materials without spending time drawing,
copying, etc.
2. Every project is computer generated and saved. Future similar
projects or elements can be built from prior projects to save
time and money.
3. The client could choose from a variety of styles to suit the
project, budget and individual taste
4. The client would not have to spend time learning and using
difficult software.
5. The client if desiring to produce high quality materials would not
have to purchase expensive
software, computer system and printer.
6. A relationship would be eventually developed between the client
and myself in order to
produce sales materials with a minimum of input from the client.
7. The client need not employ a person full time to produce
presentations part of the time.
My questions for you:
1. Would the average landscaper or landscape designer consider using
an outside source for their sales presentation material?
2. Would a landscaper or landscape designer generaly feel that a
better looking, site specific, sales drawing or illustration
might lead to increased sales of their landscaping or design
services?
3. What would the average landscaper or landscape designer be willing
to spend to obtain high quality sales presentation materials?
My estimate would be approximately $50 to $150 for CAD and simple
photo-realism material, more for illustrations and large projects.
4. Are there other types of related graphics, services, etc. I could
provide to assist a landscaper or landscape designer?
5. What concerns, questions, comments would you have if you were
interested in this service?
Any advice or information that you cam provide to me would be greatly
appreciated. I apologize for the length of this post, but, I felt the
best way to get your response would be to fully explain the proposed
service, materials, advantages, etc.
Should you wish to comment, please e-mail me at:
kzi...@mindspring.com
Thank You