Landscape Contractor and Designer Relations

Saturday, January 26, 2008 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.

Registration is $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.

Mass Hort, Elm Bank, Educational Building, Wellesley, MA

For directions visit http://www.masshort.org/Directions

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Learn how you can improve your relationships with your contractor or designer. In this program we will discuss the major components for an ideal designer - contractor relationship. Please come to this program prepared to ask questions of our panelists.

Guest Panelists: Jay Bearfield, Liquid Landscape Designs, Carlisle, MA; Carolyn Carleton, Outdoor Design, Inc., Southborough, MA; Ed Coykendall, Landscape Artisans, Shirley, MA

Landscape professionals, in their quest to build and design things, sometimes fall short in building relationships. Designers and contractors can find themselves competing for control and the good favor of a project owner. Although some rivalry is expected, we know that too much tension can turn what should be a collaborative relationship into an adverse one – perhaps delaying a project or driving up its costs. Why do contractors and designers clash in some cases, but not in others? Can conflict be avoided? Or, is a little tug-of-war important to building the best project possible for the client? In this program we will explore the answers to these questions and more.

Our panel of landscape contractors will discuss the issues that have faced them in working with designers and architects. They will answer questions that you may have about specific areas of concern – from pricing to change orders to the importance of having a designer on the job or having very specific drawings. They will also suggest ways in which we can work more effectively together to produce jobs with fewer change orders and better quality for our clients. Come to this informative program to learn how you can build better relationships. Beverages will be provided.

Jay Bearfield - Is an Internationally Certified Pond Contractor, and owner & lead designer of Liquid Landscape Designs of Carlisle MA. Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc. is a New England-based company that specializes in the residential and commercial aquatic-landscape (aquascape) industry. www.liquidlandscapedesigns.com

Carolyn Carleton - Is the owner of Outdoor Design Inc. of Southborough, MA. In business since 1987, Outdoor Design Inc. has a team of skilled craftsmen, professional masons, site developers, and planting specialists to ensure the highest quality workmanship possible. They perform both residential and commercial property installations throughout New England. www.outdoordesigninc.com

Ed Coykendall - Is the owner of Landscape Artisans of Shirley, MA. In business since 2001, Landscape Artisans specializes in the construction of artisan quality residential landscapes. Their team creates custom landscapes by crafting various media including manufactured pavers, walls, natural stone, wood and plant materials. Their projects deliver high value by turning the clients relationship to the outdoors all within their budget - creating distinctive expressions on the land. Bachelors of Landscape Architecture, Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional, International Concrete Paver Institute Certified Installer.