Computer aided design

[sy76uk]

You do do some really nice work Mick. I'm quite surprised it's all off the top of your head.

Like both of you, I can picture ideas and know how to implement them without a drawing.
The trouble is trying to get the client to see what your seeing. I can draw them a picture but my free hand is pretty crude.
The thing I like about CAD is once I get an idea and put it on the screen I can expand on it and make it grow. You can actually see your ideas come to life.
When I work to the drawing it's like I've done the job once already which also makes life easier.
Another thing is that I really enjoy it

[lutonlagerlout]

nobody is good at everything sy
your work sells itself
I do the simple sketchups more to help myself with quantities etc but unless its something you are 100% au fait with why bother
I was never any good at art or technical drawing at school but maths was easy for me
so I can set out arcs circles etc etc
but drawing them is out for me
cheers LLL

[lemoncurd1702]

Likewise SY, I also find ideas develop from doing a basic drawing and expanding on it.

I suppose we all work in our own ways and I wouldn't bother with a drawing for a driveway. But when it comes to a garden makeover there is no doubt that producing a design wins the work and gets the bigger bucks.

Surprised to hear you say you can't draw mick. We've seen your creativity not only with your superb installations but also your websites and recent video.
You'd pick up cad or sketchup in no time.

[lutonlagerlout]

I reckon mick can do anything he puts his mind too,same with cookie
and no I dont want a triple room with them stewart!
LLL

[Carberry]

Cookie and Mick don't need to be able to draw, they have an awesome portfolio to show potential clients and I'm sure when they see work of that caliber it's a case of....

[sy76uk]

Just tried uploading a picture from photo bucket on my tablet. Will try again on my laptop when my boy isn't climbing all over me lol.

[mickg]

I can draw on the back of a cig packet so the customer can see what shape they are getting, is that OK

[John156]

Sy, I have done a short CAD course about 10 years ago and struggled with it. Probably about 4 or 5 years ago I started using sketchup and I find it reasonably intuitive so it works for me ( I don't generally get on too well with computers). I get what your saying about wanting to present your ideas to your clients or using cad or skethcup to develop the design and help you to build the final product. I think the key though is to not waste too much time and money on it. If your giving someone a ten grand garden I reckon your probably giving them ten grands worth of building work rather than the design. I suppose what I'm getting at is if your going to do design work, charge for it or build it into your cost. I've done a fair amount of free design work over the years and it makes no sense. I always charge now.

Good luck

[lutonlagerlout]

exactly ,the landscape archs round here charge between £500-750 for a normal garden design
LLL

[sy76uk]

John, lll, even though I can't work out how to post pics on this site I've always enjoyed using computers to draw.
At the minute, I'm getting some pretty good work in and it's at good prices. My quote conversion is 95%. I don't know what it's like for everyone but I think that's a pretty good ratio.

I think the reason for the high conversion rate is because I spend a lot of time with my clients before any works start making sure they will be getting exactly what they want after giving them a wide range of options.

I still want to improve the way that I quote my jobs and the design aspect.
I'm trying to get my initial visits to become a highly polished presentation and on my final visit have a 3D cad so the clients can see exactly what they will be paying for.

I reckon I'll be able to get my actual time spent designing on a computer down to a few hours on most projects.

My business is only a baby at the minute. I don't want it to be big. I'm aiming for quality over quantity so I think the design side of things could be a major factor in getting the type of work that I want in.

I'm in the middle of a couple of patio designs atm. I'll post them up once there finished.

[lemoncurd1702]

For the right type of job I.E. the ones that potentially carry a high figure and hopefully profit, then time spent with the client is definitely worthwhile.

Providing product samples are also helpful, take them on a second visit.
To the customer you're the contractor who has spent the most time and effort in helping them choose the right design and product, your standards are high. Therefore you will be the one who puts the most time and effort into an installation of the highest standard.

Also some say that if you give someone something then they feel obliged to give something back. You give them samples and/or some promotional material (coffee mug, pens etc.) they give you the order.

Maybe the above and how good your work is accounts for 50% of the sale, the other 50% is whether you click with the customer.

Being genuine and be honest counts for a lot.
And no smarmy salesman blurb.

[sy76uk]

I agree with everything there lC. I always take samples of whatever laying to the client before work starts. Especially if they have only ever seen the paving in the brochures.

I'm waiting for samples of the new symphony vitrified paving from marshalls as I have 2 customers very interested in it.
I don't know weather anyone has ever made a clay slab before but it's an interesting concept.

[bodgeitandscarper]

You can add actual photos to sketchup drawings, so it can show the customer the finished product and its very easy to do. It would be good to have a catalogue of swatches for people to use.

[designer]

CAD software is useful for drawing fast sketches, it's better if is on-line software application and you can use your specific background offering a full realistic image of your work. Things get better when you can share your designs with others even with your customers!

Give a try to on-line pave designer

[lutonlagerlout]

if only there was someone who provided a service like this......
oh wait a minute the bloke who runs this site!!
tony mcC
LLL