After a week in Vegas for the APSP Pool and Spa Expo it's great to be home! Had to get back to work to rest up!However, I just had to write and mention all the great educational, networking, brainstorming, the meeting new friends and seeing existing friends at functions like the Expo, geared and working for our industry. I am convinced more than ever that our industry of design and/or construction of outdoor living environments-watershapes, pools, spas, waterfeatures as well as outdoor living as a whole, will continue to grow, move ahead in a postive direction and improve through the challanges ahead of all of us.As one of my friends and mentors, as well as one of the co-founder and principles of PGN, Rex Richards says, "Where there are challanges there are also many opportunities".Thanks to all of you that have been industry leaders, mentors, teachers, support and friends of mine and to others I know. To mention just a few of the organizations and people I hold in high esteem for ther leadership/friendship/etc, Genesis 3, David, Brian, Skip and the entire faculty, staff and students (to many to mention), Extreme Success and PGN w/ Rex Richards and Ray Cronise, Aquatech w/ Jeff and Thomas, staff, faculty and members, Lynn Forrest, Tom Driscoll, Tommy Johnson, etc. APSP, ASLA, ASCC, ACI, Hanley Wood, World of Concrete, Pentair Water organization, Kim Levin, John Cannon, Tom S., Steve Barnes, and again to many to mention.Let's all keep learning from the past, not to just repeat the same mistakes because it's always been done that way, but really learn what's right, works and doesn't and how to improve all aspect of the industry we live off of and support our respective family's.There are so many that have helped myself and our design/build firm Land Design keep trying for the elevation our industry as well as our company and team and you all know who you are,Thanks! And remember everyone deserves to swim and it's our job to make that happen to through improvement of all aspects of "water and land shaping" including creativity in design, aesthetics, environmental/natural resource sensitivity, safety, health and happiness by improving the quality of outdoor living in general!Michael Logsdon-CBP
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Charge for Design or Give Yourself Away for Free?Charging for design in the pool industry has been a much debated and controversial topic of discussion since I entered my career, designing and building outdoor living environment in 1983. After studying and receiving a bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University I decided that the residential design/build area was where I should focus.From the very beginning, it seemed that proposed or prospective clients almost always had an aversion to or had trouble seeing value in paying for design. I really never understood that thought. As a design professional I wondered why we were not respected as any other professions such as physicians, attorneys and other consultants that charged for and made a living giving advice, opinions and be paid for skills similar in importance as us!I guess it boils down to how each individual or company feels how much or how little their time, ability, creativity, ideas and competence is worth. The vision and opinion of our firm, Land Design feels that we have invested an extreme amount of effort, time, and money for our college educations and high level continuing education. We make a dedicated effort to be a part of, attend and participate in training and educational programs from some of the best and well respected individuals and organizations in the pool and closely related industries.By participating and attending numerous training functions, conferences, and trade shows you can help make a difference and help elevate our industry. There are many options for education in all disciples of the pool and landscape design/construction industry; to mention a few great organizations we are involved with and/or highly recommend; ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects, APSP – Association of Pool and Spa Professional, Aquatech - Society of Professional Pool Builders, WOC - World of Concrete, ASCC – American Society of Concrete Contractors, ACI – American Concrete Institute, NPC – National Plasters Council, etc. and I could go on forever.A few certification and high level training programs Land Design employees have attended and completed and/or are still attending, working on, or have received additional certifications, expertise, and knowledge such as, APSP – CBP (Certified Building Professional), Genesis 3 Design Group – (Certified Watershaper program), Extreme Success - MBS program are just a few excellent opportunities to elevate our competence and relevance in this often disrespected industry. Thus together helping change the perceived value of, in my opinion, the first, one of most important and under rated step in the construction process; designing/creating ideas, concepts, and options for the constructing/implementing and delivering the client’s custom outdoor living environment to fit their personal lifestyle.To summarize; Don’t give it away if you feel it’s worth something. You get what you pay for!
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