Open Association of Landscape Industries
How would you all deal with this conundrum?
Feeling really unhappy with it all, I sent an email today explaining that although I appreciate it is their garden at the end of the day I want to be able to provide the best garden I can for them and I am feeling uneasy with the changes they are proposing. I also explained that it would be unprofessional of me to not say anything to them. The answer i got from them was they are footing the bill,it is what they want and it is their garden and it won't impact on my reputation.
I have done so many landscaping jobs now and I have always worked with the customer and made sure that we are all in agreement and I have a good track record. I do always listen to the customer, however if you know they are suggesting ideas you know won't work surely you should say so? Which is what I've always done as they are paying me for my expertise. My hubby is saying walk away and if i am having problems with it already then what is it going to be like when I do the work. I have felt really uneasy with the job for a couple of weeks. What would you guys do?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on -
Forget the 'professional' aspect for a minute - it could all boil down to a personality clash. Maybe your client is used to getting his/her own way and finds it difficult going with other people's ideas - this in turn tries your patience and this comes across to the client.
Lets face it we are not going to get on with every potential customer and it works both ways - but it usually works out as they gain trust in you and vice-versa. In this case it doesnt seem the case.
Although your pride says you must try and win them over, I think you should cut your losses and move on.
Once the deed is done I bet you will feel a sense of relief.
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Permalink Reply by Andy Kenney on -
From what you have said, my view is that as a good designer landscaper, you can see through your skills and experience the end result, its always nice taking a friendly passive customer on that journey to an end result ( i did a most simple excavate and returf of 25 sq m of scrub this week and with a nice cutting edge added - the customer was delighted). Its harder when either you are not sure of the 'brief' or they keep changing the initial agreed brief. The reasons they may keep changing may be they don't know what they want (v likely), they don't understand you (unlikely), they are now starting to see what is going to be done and this opens up their own imaginaton (can of worms! and likely) or they are simply a picky pain in the *rse (i think you know the answer here!).
I would do what you have done with design and full itemised quote, covering what HAS to be done (legally), what SHOULD be done (your skills/expertise etc) and thats it - stop there. If more quibble, move on. You wouldn't stop your dentist halfway through a crown and recommend he does it slightly differently. Good luck hope you get your desired result.
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Permalink Reply by Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt on -
Walk Away for definite. If it's bad already it is not going to get any better. We all want to go to work and feel that we are doing a good, satisfying days work - by the sounds of things you are never going to get this feeling with this job.
There are many more enjoyable jobs out there where you will feel far more fulfilled and appreciated.
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Permalink Reply by Fenlandphil on -
I have ignored my insticts in the past and it has cost me money, if you don't feel happy that you can achieve a good outcome for either you or your clients walk away, it will save both of you grief.
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on -
Lisa - let us know how you are getting on?
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