A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

By David Sloan, Drafix Software

If the client wants edging, if you have design software you can easily show the design with the kind of edging they indicated. But, with just a few mouse clicks you can show them what a retaining wall might look like instead of some run of the mill edging. This up-sell opportunity might net you an extra two, three, or four-thousand dollars, depending upon the size of the construction.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Sounds cliché doesn't it? I do know that these types of statements are to be avoided at all costs. However, when discussing landscape design software, this old saying seemed to fit best. One of the major benefits of landscape design software to the designer or contractor is the ability to create a design and deliver it to your potential customers in terms they can easily understand.

The problem today is that most customers just can't visualize a design that is presented to them in the more traditional architectural format. This visualization problem is further compounded by the current economic climate. Your potential customers are considerably less sure about how much they are comfortable spending and what exactly they want to spend it on. Enter the need for some type of tool to help you combat these two issues.

Although the more traditional design has its place, a photo-imaging design has the power to really get your customer excited about what it is you are proposing. Basically, what you are doing is visually communicating your design ideas directly to your customers. The benefits of this process are nearly endless and become obvious immediately.

Photo imaging is a fairly simple process. You take a photograph of your customer's residence, commercial building or other property. Once you have the photograph, you then begin to place items such as plants, trees, mulch, pavers, retaining walls, edging and other items right on top of the original photograph. Pictures courtesy of Drafix Software

The Owner Takes Ownership

First, this type of design can be accomplished right on-site. With a laptop, the designer is able to go right to the customer's location and work with them one-on-one to create the design. This can eliminate the need for multiple trips to the client's location, and also multiple trips to and from the nursery or the garden center. A good piece of landscape design software will have a large database of items for you and your customer to choose from. While the designer will typically begin the design with the items they prefer, the customer can actually provide input on the design as the design is being created. This brings a large part of the approval process right to the first meeting with the client.

In addition, this particular design process gets the potential customer involved in the design. This is important for the reasons we mentioned, but perhaps even more important when it comes time to close the sale. Your prospective client will have an easier time saying ''yes'' to your proposal since they (in own their mind anyway) actually assisted you in creating the design. Saying ''no'' becomes more difficult for them because they tend to take personal ownership in the creation of the design.

If your potential client doesn't like boxwoods, for example, you can quickly replace them with a different shrub and get immediate feedback on whether or not they like that particular look. Using this type of approach ultimately saves time and ensures that the finished product will be much more to the customers liking.

Up-Sell Opportunities

There is also the potential for numerous up-sell opportunities such as lighting, hardscapes, outdoor living items, water features and more that might net you an extra two, three, or four-thousand dollars depending upon the size of the construction.

Landscape design software will help you combat the difficulty that many of us are having given the current economic situation. Although people may be doing less and spending less, they are still spending. It really is just a matter of showing them precisely what they are getting for their dollars; your customer is obviously less likely to spend money without knowing exactly what they are spending it on. There is work out there to be had, but you must position yourself to get it. A quick photo imaging design can make all the difference in the world as you try to communicate your design ideas to your customer. After seeing the design you created, their interest and confidence in you and your ideas will be piqued. If you aren't giving your customer that breathtaking visual design, rest assured someone else will.

Another example would be the placement of landscape lighting. Once the design is complete, you are able to place landscape lighting fixtures right into the proposed design and allow the customer to view them just as if the original photograph was taken at night. Another up-sell opportunity!

Additional Functions

Although the photo imaging aspect of landscape design software is one of the most important items, it should be noted that other aspects are important as well. Whether communicating your design to the installation crew or creating scale drawings for committee approval, you must also have the ability to create the more traditional, scaled 2D drawing. There is still a place for a more traditional 2D design, so when you are choosing a piece of software make sure that you have the ability to create CAD drawings as well.

In addition, some type of estimating package is important, too. A wonderful design is only as good as the actual quotation that you can generate with it. With the proper estimating package, you will be able to create quotations, material lists, plant information and other necessary items that a good design should include.

Combat Penny Pinching

Although landscape design software typically contains a large number of features and functions to choose from, the photo imaging aspect is one of the most important items you must have in a piece of design software. It is critical to be able to show your customer an actual picture of your ideas. Without the photo imaging design, it will be most difficult for your customer to envision exactly what it is you are proposing. Your customer's lack of vision and attitudes towards penny pinching can be addressed through the use of landscape design software. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.