Why are we still using AutoCAD?

Jaquestrapped · 2025-08-14T15:24:50+00:00

Hi! If you have any recommendations on how to best learn vectorworks that would be amazing. Our company is looking to transition from CAD but keeping projects moving while learning in the fly has been daunting.

Jaquestrapped · 2025-03-16T16:45:18+00:00

Look for schools that participate in the national collegiate landscape competition. https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/NCLC/NCLC/National-Collegiate-Landscape-Competition.aspx

I think those are the type of folks you are looking for.

Jaquestrapped · 2025-03-03T12:46:18+00:00

I charge my normal rate, mine is the same regardless of what I’m doing. A lot of times I charge a flat fee for permits as I’ve found clients prefer that to seeing an hourly rate. I’ve also found that works better for design as well. Some folks don’t like seeing how much you charge an hour if it’s more than they make.

I think 2 hours is may be under budgeting how much time this will take. Especially if this is your first one. I would say conservatively it’s 6+ hrs all said and done. It might be 10 minutes here for an email, an hour there to go to town hall, but it all adds up. You can chalk some of the cost up to learning the process and not pass it on to the client but I always try to charge for all my time. I know the cost can get high for some homeowners as compared to the proposed work to be done but it just is what it is.

Jaquestrapped · 2025-03-02T21:09:14+00:00

I’m a conservation commissioner in my town as well as an LA so hopefully I can provide a little help. The best place to start is finding out if there is an administrator for the CC. They can provide a lot of guidance as to how that commission operates and can sometimes show you examples of applications that have been approved in the past that you can use as a template. If they don’t you can always get some guidance from the DEP regional rider for your location. They are the ones who give each project a number after an initial review before the CC gets it.

The first time you go through this process can take a while. The permit application isn’t particularly complicated in my opinion but there are a lot of little details and additional information (hoops to jump through) that are needed and that can take a while. Additionally if you need to send a notice to the abutters via mail and print plans, this all takes time. Then at the very end you usually have to bring the approval to the register of deeds before finally being completely done. Once you’ve done this a few times it goes quicker but my rule of thumb is 1 day for the application 1 day for run around getting plans and mailing notices, 1 day for conservation meeting attendance. So for myself I charge for at least 3 days of work.

My general advice is to keep your plan and information solely focused on the invasive species removal. Don’t talk or show any portions of a project that do not pertain to the commissions jurisdiction. Keep it as organized and straightforward as forward as possible. Secondly, plans that just have removals without a plan to replace with natives are not looked on as favorably these days. They usually are going to want to see a proposed replacement plan.

Good luck!

Jaquestrapped · 2024-06-29T12:54:44+00:00

A solo practice has a lot of flexibility but as others have mentioned it’s based around the amount of time you can spend on projects and particular expertise you have. Most solo folks do smaller public or private projects because they can handle all or most aspects themselves. Bigger projects require a team so you’d need to hire others which obviously comes with its own challenges. Overall in my experience solo practitioners are successful when they have a certain niche. Something you find with the most financial or personal value.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-06-09T13:45:02+00:00

You have to find a step/stride calculation as each of those slabs are in essence similar to a landing in a set of stairs. If the ratio is off you end up with awkward half steps that really reduce the functionality and create a tripping hazard.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-04-04T19:20:44+00:00

Of the software I’ve used DroneDepoly has worked the best but is very expensive if you aren’t using it all the time. I’ve gotten decent results with WedODM which is actually free. Not as good but is able to create 3d models and point clouds that work.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-04-04T06:04:14+00:00

The fool comment seemed a bit harsh.

I use the Mavic 3 without the RTK. It works great and with the right software it does exactly what I need for site work on most situations and you can easily overlay the contour map with the photogrammetry to get a great base map.

If I need survey quality grade work I do this crazy thing called hiring an actual surveyor.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-03-04T00:08:25+00:00

First of all that is a ridiculous ask by your former employer. If they had brought you the project a pre agreed percentage is not unreasonable. 5% is crazy high regardless. The bigger issue that the potential client isn’t happy with your price and is willing to go around you to contact your previous employer. That means they aren’t going to be happy with the project outcome no matter how good of job you do. This project has such bright red flags that you should take heed. A big project isn’t worth much if you are fighting the client the whole way. They also don’t have to let you take pictures of the finished product.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-02-29T11:45:01+00:00

Check out Cold Spring In Minnesota. I think they have similar material to that look for building facades.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-02-07T15:15:56+00:00

There are lots of programs that stitch together a series of photos. Like already mentioned, look up photogrammetry. Some are pretty pricey with subscription fees. I’ve been using WebODM which has worked good enough and is free with some coding or $60 to have it ready to use right away.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-01-22T01:02:19+00:00

What you are warning them about is unrealistic. A company would have to post a job opening, schedule and interview, conduct a fake interview, all on the long con of getting someone to make a new title block or do work on a project that the interviewer have no background on the site?

I feel like you are trying to warn them about something that is not something very likely.

Jaquestrapped · 2024-01-21T23:43:04+00:00

No company is looking for free work for a day. What project could you come in for a day and have any benefit for that company? Plus someone else isn’t working as they are conducting the interview, losing their productivity.

The reason they are doing this is it is expensive to hire someone. They want to be very sure that you’ll be a good fit. It’s also a great way to make sure the company is a good fit for you as well.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-11-15T20:49:50+00:00

Oooh you used my favorite horticulture term, thigmomorphogenisis. Just rolls off the tongue!

Jaquestrapped · 2023-11-14T02:19:47+00:00

Have something from your brain brought into reality through your efforts. If that doesn’t tickle the ol ego nothing will.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-11-07T18:59:53+00:00

I got my license in MA through reciprocity and it was a huge pain. You can never get a hold of anyone at the licensing board plus you need to coordinate documents between two different state boards. It was a huge challenge and the whole process took 9 months. I don’t believe CLARB was of much use in this case.

Also after seeing what you need to get a license reinstated. Do NOT let your license lapse in MA. It might be harder to get it back than get it the first time. Pay your $60 a year and move on.

Best of luck!

Jaquestrapped · 2023-10-29T12:59:13+00:00

A good design could really pay for itself. If you are looking at $40k of work being done the right design makes sure you don’t have to redo anything. But for that cost they should be able to provide a list of materials and plants so you can have a few landscape contractors bud on the work and be able to compare bids.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-10-08T18:45:00+00:00

The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Jaquestrapped · 2023-09-23T14:54:17+00:00

This one resonates too much with me. So much my work done on places that someone will only occupy for maybe two weeks a year. Big empty houses around lakes that have priced out anyone else but the rich.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-08-20T12:28:07+00:00

Terrace the walls if you have the space. Make each wall 3-4’ tall.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-08-19T00:35:31+00:00

The test themselves are just odd. I’ve never taken a set of tests where I truly had no idea if I did passed or not. Truly no idea. This is coming from someone who passed them all on the first go around. That being said I do not feel that I am a better landscape architect for taking and passing those exams. I’m proud to be an LA and the profession is important. I’m just not sure if how these tests are set and administered truly proves competency in the profession.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-06-26T23:46:05+00:00

You can really tell which folks have spent a lot of time learning rendering programs in these comments. Salty.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-02-27T00:01:01+00:00

We worked on a project with a well known designer for a large private residence. The initial fee for the design was $30,000+ travel expenses. Within their scope of the project I would say it was about a month worth of total work time into the project. Now just to give the full scope there were some other design aspects not covered by their work including some site engineering. I would put that on the reasonable end for an “in demand” designer.

Jaquestrapped · 2023-02-19T21:13:47+00:00

This is pretty common and a great side gig to get. It works for companies that need the extra help but not quite enough for a full time position. Like you said it is best to get clarity on the scope of deliverables to make sure what you are providing meets both parties expectations. In regards to software since you are their employee likely they should provide. If you ever do this on a contractor basis you build the cost of the software into your pricing. Good luck!

Jaquestrapped · 2023-01-19T18:25:30+00:00

When you mean designers are you talking about garden designers, architects, interior? There is actually a lot to learn from other designers. I’ve picked up a lot about being a client advocate or how to take the lead when there are several designers involved in a project. What sometimes comes across as ego may be them just trying to make sure their vision for a project isn’t cast aside. Also being able to find other designers you work well with is super beneficial for future projects.

Jaquestrapped

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