Architectural Designs

How much would it cost to start a lawn care business with the insurance and all? How much does it cost to start a lawn care and landscaping business dealing with: retaining walls, mulch beds, laying out landscape designs, lawn mowing, and constructions of decks and patios. And also what would be the grand total abouts with the insurance and all the equipment i would need? Thanks! :)

Is it OK for a small business owner (contractor) to require money up front from customers? I own a small landscape design and installation company. We do unique, detail-oriented design and our construction quality is unsurpassed. We normally ask for half of the money at the beginning of the project, to cover materials etc, and sometimes small payments in addition, along the way if need be. Today a client told me that 'no other companies' need to get paid until the job is finished, and that the money he already paid me was highly unusual. Our contract with him allows for money up front. He raised no objections until today, when I asked him for a small installment to pay for some materials. I wonder, is it really that unusual for a construction company not to finance a landscaping/retaining wall project?

Who do I hire for a complete backyard remodeling? I need bulldozing work, retaining wall, tree removal, cement work and a good landscape designer and maybe deck work. Is there a "general contractor" I can hire or do I need a different professional for each job or hire a Company that designs and manages all those things? Thank you!

How can I compress jpg files to make much smaller files? Specifically, I have an entire directory showing photos of plants and hardscape features (i.e. patios, retaining walls, walkways, water features, nightlighting,etc.) I do AutoCAD drafting for a landscape company in Denver. We have a very old version of AutoCAD, but I've been able to import jpg files of photos into AutoCAD landscape designs (thankfully, we're updating or AutoCAD this winter!). My problem is that the inserted jpg files create HUGE AutoCAD files. I am trying to find a good, quick, efficient method to condense all of my photos so that they can be inserted into the CAD drawings. Any suggestions out there? Thanks! Sincerely, Dave Argenta Denver

What is a good landscaping company for the cedar hill area.. Must be hgtv type..? My mom recently bought a house and I wanted to find a outdoor designer/ landscaping company that can help her design her perfect backyard... Backyard will include pergula, basketball court, BBQ pit, and pool with a retaining wall or maybe not a wall... Idk that's why im asking for help.. Thanks Cedar hill, Texas.. Sorry about that ppl

Outdoor landscaping - Easy to use software? Anyone know of an easy to use landscaping software that can be used to design the front yard. Retaining walls, pplanters, flowers, trees, driveway, and have patterns like stacked stone, brick, and stucco with cap walls?

What might be a good estimate for the cost of this landscaping (photos)? Before you delve into my text wall, if you have no idea what it could cost based on my info, but know a good place to ask (landscaping website or other source), then just posting that as an answer is helpful too! --- My parents have bought a new-built home, and there is no yard and fencing. My dad is the type to look for the cheapest option for a yard, as long as he has a place to grill. My mom wants an Asia-themed garden, with Feng Shui and Zen elements. Since I'm in school for design (not landscaping design, but... doesn't make much of a difference to my parents), they asked me to put together a concept for the back yard. I threw something together in Sketchup: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b101/pua_wahine/LandscapeSnap.png http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b101/pua_wahine/LandscapeSnap5.png http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b101/pua_wahine/LandscapeSnap4.png http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b101/pua_wahine/LandscapeSnap2.png http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b101/pua_wahine/LandscapeSnap7.png The house faces north. I have the back elevated section with a retaining wall because the surrounding properties and part of our southwest corner are about that height, the same height of our basement that is visible above ground; this would be level with the first floor. The hardscaping and steps could be concrete - doesn't have to be too fancy. The retaining wall as well can be simple cinderblock; we can stucco that later. The green area around that with the plants, and at the side of the garage could be gravel/pebbles or a groundcover such as moss - I'm leaning more towards pebbles because moss likely wouldn't do well in our climate unless we maintain it well (hadiness zone 6/7, extremely dry and hot summers). The plants along the retaining wall I plan to be blue rug juniper, and the tree a Japanese maple. At the side of the house, by the garage, we'd like bamboo. There will be other plants, but the maple, bamboo and juniper are the only specific plants we're looking at. The whole rest of the back yard would be sod (back yard on east side stops at the corner of the south wall). Other elements, such as the pergola, fire pit, furniture etc would come later and are not considered in part of the cost at the moment. As far as dimensions, the height of the retaining wall would be 3 ft. The distance from the south wall (kitchen wall, w/ back door) to the fence is 40 ft; the south wall that sticks out extends 4 ft. The length from the west fence to the east fence (to corner of house) would be 60ft. The dimensions of the elevated section specifically would be 40' north to south, 45' east to west. I realize the 3D model is a little off on proportions but it's just for a visual to get the general idea of the design. Forgot to add location to help decipher costs! We're in Utah County, Utah, closer to the lake. Lehi/Saratoga Springs/American Fork area.

what to go to college for becoming a landscaper? i want to go into landscaping and own my own landscaping business that does the obvious lawn care but i want to so much more with it, like retaining walls and masonry and design tho things, maybe even paving driveways, anything that has to do with the outside of peoples homes i just dont know what to go to college for to get the education for that, any help??

i want to start a landscaping Business, do i know enough? what do i need? i have worked for a perennial flower retailer / wholesaler for 4 years. this is what i know. lawn mowing weed whacking mulching plant propagation garden design i know what plant like shade, or sun, or how much water. i know almost all perennials for my weather zone. i DONT know how to do retaining walls, walkways, or ponds. i have also planted bushes and trees. so thanks to all for input, also what things should i have to get started? thanks everybody, everyone was helpful. thats scary where you live in pennsylvania. i live up in the towanda sayre area. where realy close! if i get my buiness going, ill call.

are there any free landscaping lessons/courses/teachings online? Hello Yahoo, I am 17 years old and i am interested in getting any free landscaping information to prepare me for the future. I don't know if there is any free software or any good books that teach about plants, irrigation,etc. Something than can cover all or some of the requirements to get a c27-landscaping contractor license. Content of the Examination The Landscaping (C-27) examination is divided into seven major sections. These sections are: 1. Landscape Design (15%) 1. Hardscape design 2. Drainage design 3. Irrigation system 4. Plant selection 5. Mulch selection 2. Job Estimation (23%) 1. Scope of work 2. Time estimation and labor cost 3. Equipment and tool selection 4. Drainage and irrigation materials 5. Softscape materials 6. Hardscape materials 3. Site Preparation (13%) 1. Drainage control 2. Erosion control 3. Underground piping installation 4. Soil amendment 4. Hardscape Installation (9%) 1. Concrete and masonry 2. Retaining walls 3. Landscaping edgings 4. Fences, gates, screens, and steps 5. Water features 6. Electrical connections 7. Lighting 5. Irrigation System Installation (18%) 1. Controllers 2. Main lines 3. Lateral lines 4. Drip system components 6. Plant Material Installation and Landscaping Maintenance (13%) 1. Planting methods 2. Water management 3. Plant maintenance 4. Turfgrass management 7. Job Site Safety (9%) 1. Hazard Identification 2. Personal protection 3. Environmental protection *Percentages are approximate* I'd really appreciate any help given thanks.