The Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture: A Complete Guide to Starting and Running Your Own Firm Book

Introduction

1 The Profession of Landscape Architecture and Professionalism 1

Brief History of the Profession 2

Professional Career Tracks 17

Professional Licensure 21

Professional Development 25

Professional Societies 27

The Influence of Technology on the Landscape Architecture Profession 43

2 Clients and Projects 53

Who Are the Landscape Architect's Clients? 53

What Elements Determine the Landscape Architect's Clients? 55

Landscape Architecture Projects 148

Architectural and Engineering Clients 148

Public-Sector Clients 150

3 Case Studies 169

HNTB Corporation: Large Multidisciplinary A/E Firm 171

Large Landscape Architecture Firms 180

The Acacia Group, Inc. Small Landscape Architecture Firm 191

Valley Crest Landscape Development: Large Integrated Design-Build Firm 203

Denver Service Center, National Park Service: Public Practice 212

Rain Bird: Corporate Practice 223

4 Professional-Practice Relationships 236

Prime-Consulting Relationships 237

Multiple Direct Consulting Relationships 237

Subconsulting Relationships 238

Landscape Architect/Owner Relationship 238

Landscape Architect/Allied Professional Relationship 255

Landscape Architect/Contractor Relationship 258

Landscape Architect/General Public Relationship 261

5 Finance 264

Six Considerations for Raising Funds 264

Three Phases of Financing a Firm 266

Equity Financing 273

Debt Financing 280

How Lenders Evaluate a Loan Request 280

Trade Credit 285

Summary---Planning, Action, Adjustment 287

6 Accounting 292

The Landscape Architect as Financial Manager 292

Financial Accounting Information 294

Financial Management Information 306

Financial Accounting Systems 314

Recording Financial Information---Elementary Accounting 317

Selecting an Accountant 319

Accounting Software 319

Overview of Accounting: Six Integrated Components 321

7 Business Administration and Record Keeping 324

Job Number---The Key to Office Administration 325

Time Keeping 327

Filing and Records Management 329

Landscape Architecture Office Files and Records Management 339

Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Leave or Paid Time Off 345

Product Information Files, Technical Resources, and Code Information 362

Payroll Administration 364

Employer's Tax Administration 365

Tax Status of Nonwage Payments to Employees 369

8 Marketing 373

The Strategic Plan 374

The Marketing Plan 378

Marketing Tools and the Promotion Mix 380

The Marketing Payoff 395

Market Expansion---Entering New Markets 402

The Marketing Staff 406

9 Contracts 410

Contract Basics 411

Contracts with Clients---Professional Services Contract Formats 413

The Elements of a Professional Services Contract with a Client 423

Employment Agreements 444

Negotiating a Contract 446

Important Elements and Useful Contract Clauses 459

10 Project Management 471

What is Project Management? 471

Planning, Scoping, and Organizing the Project 472

Setting Up Tracking Systems 476

Tracking a Project and Developing Strategies when a Project is Over Budget or Off Schedule 483

Selecting and Organizing Staff 489

Directing and Motivating Projects Staff 492

Serving the Client and Developing a Friendly Relationship 493

Providing Technical Supervision for the Project Staff 494

Taking Part in Performance Reviews of Technical Staff 500

Managing Construction Observation Services 503

Summary 504

11 Business and Personnel Law 508

The Legal Environment of Professional Practice 508

Discrimination 531

Protecting the General Public, the Environment, and the Consumer 536

Index 543