When I arrived on the site, I wondered immediately why I was there. The client–a prominent attorney and neighbor–emailed me, asking only for some help. We receive frequent, similar emails, usually from long-time readers of Michael's weekly Naples Daily News Column.
Why was I surprised? Clearly the site had been developed by an experienced and talented hand. The driveway, mounding, and plant masses were generally in response to the site, and were as I would have laid them out.
No, that wasn't the issue. The problem? Several plant species, favored by the designer, had simply not flourished. And in more than once case, specified plants were not among those this client would have chosen.
About the client: he's smart about plants and he is as exacting in his garden expectations as, I imagine, he is when he is representing clients in court. Indeed, he's exactly Michael's perfect client, the kind of guy fussy or obsessive about precise plant locations.
Client expections? I was called because of my expertise in tropical plant material. There was much about the project that the client liked. Very few plant beds were moved.
Bottom line: Owing to client privacy, photos are limited. The attachment, though, is intended to show something very simple: it's a list of Materials and Tasks, including the costs, and represents my final work for this client, who has elected to put new construction on hold until his calendar clears later this summer.
The spreadsheet though, is instructive to potential clients. The work involved three site visits plus office time, totaling about 16 hours. The fee was $2500. It's a very affordable way for some clients to obtain professional services.
Read it here: Download Consult Report
