Losing a Client

I don’t want to say it’s been a bad year, it hasn’t.

It’s been typical of what a year as a landscape designer and a contractor has been as long as I can remember. Typical meaning constant change and no guarantees.

You Never Get Every Job

It took me years to realize you’ll never get every job from every person who calls. There are variables in what is a good fit for both clients and customers.

Does the potential client need the job completed in a week or a month? If they have a graduation party next weekend and I’m booked out a month I can’t help.

What type of service is the potential client looking for? I’m sometimes called to spruce up a house before it goes on the market. The level of service I provide is more than most want when listing their house. They want a ‘quick and dirty’ job, not a thorough job.

What is the job? While I’m a landscaper I don’t do everything related to landscaping.

This year a clients neighbor walked up and asked if I rip out Poison Ivy, by hand.
No. I don’t.

A couple of weeks ago a potential customer called three times in an hour demanding I call back immediately with a price to haul brush to the dump. Yes, I do haul brush to the dump when pruning shrubs but I’m not Junkluggers.

Investment Matters

Finally, there is an investment. No two contractors, in any field, will price a job the same way.

However, you can’t base value on price. Just because a price is high doesn’t make it a bad value and just because a price is low doesn’t make it a good value. But that’s a post for another time.

Since I started working in this field I’ve felt like a square peg in a round hole. After over thirty years that feeling has never gone away. I don’t think it ever will.

I strive to make landscapes look as good as they can. Unfortunately, people only invest so much in their landscapes.

Since the stock market crash of 2008, I’ve seen changes in people’s priorities and spending habits.

I’ve also changed since I started in this field.

I’ve often spent my own time, and money, going the extra mile. An extra hour or two here. Perhaps upgrading plants to a larger size out of my own bank account. Spending extra time making sure downspouts drain away from the house.

Trumbull CT Landscape Designer Trumbull CT Landscaper

Patient Craftsman of Exceptional Landscapes

Today I changed my slogan to, “Patient craftsman of exceptional landscapes.” I doubt anyone will notice, especially today.

Why did I do that?

As a sign that I’m not like all landscapers. I work with purpose, and that purpose is creating exceptional landscapes.

What makes me think I’m so special? A few examples.

Clients often tell me they can’t tell a shrub has been pruned after I complete the job.
Edges of my landscapes are smooth, flowing and deep.
Plant selections focus on interest in every season and minimal care.
I don’t dump three inches of mulch on landscapes every spring.

I’m not special. I know only a small percentage of clients will want my level of service, though I provide a better value.

After over 15 years, I lost a long term client this spring. I resigned (was let go) because I couldn’t handle servicing the property twice a year. The gardens were constantly in need of major work and it was frustrating.

There are plenty of houses I visit once or twice a year and I’m fine with that. But this house wasn’t a boilerplate landscape by any means and it needed more attention.

One of the reasons I stayed so long was a conversation I had with one of the owners years ago.

They said, “John, I know you’re not going to be the fastest or the cheapest, but when you do the job I know it’s going to be done right.”

That conversation kept me at the property longer than I should have stayed. I also enjoyed watching the landscape grow in.

The Future

When I started Land Designs Unlimited LLC the internet and YouTube weren’t options. I can now electronically share my knowledge in many different ways and the list is expanding daily.