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Currently, in United States, more than 26% of licensed landscape architects are self employed. Most of the public thought that setting up a landscape design business is an easy task. In their point of view, this career is rewarding and lucrative. However, setting up this business is not an easy task.

In fact, getting involved in landscape architecture business is challenging. As a newcomer in this line, after you have gained the license, you need to get yourself prepared with a certain amount of start up cost to invest in purchasing new computer as well as the computer-aided design (CAD) software. You need to familiarize yourself with the applications of word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and CAD. All these applications are essential for you to develop impressive presentations to obtain new businesses.

Developing an effective business plan is important. You need to first determine the type of landscape design planning you want to specialize in. Then you have to decide who will be your subcontractors. You would then develop a fee schedule for your services.

Besides, at the initial stage, you may need to struggle to build your client base. It is indeed important for you to have good marketing skills to promote your services to the community. What you need to do is to allocate some money as your monthly operating costs. This is because you have to anticipate that you may not have any business for the first few months.

Starting a new business in this field needs a lot of hard effort and practical experience. It would be ideal if you could look for an experienced mentor to guide and advise you. If not, you are advised to take up a part time job in a landscape design company to gain more experience. It is a long way to go before achieving great success.

By: Jeslyn Jessy

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For more information about becoming a landscape designer and salary of a landscape designer, visit LandscapeDesignerCareer.com.