Phasewise Blog
Guides on budgets, billing rates, MWELO compliance, project phases, and the operational side of LA practice. Written for firm owners and project managers.
A practical MWELO compliance checklist for California landscape architects covering documentation, calculations, and submission requirements that pass agency review.
Read article →A practical guide to managing the landscape architecture RFI process—how to write them, track them, and stop letting them stall your construction phase.
Read article →Learn how to price landscape design projects without leaving money on the table. Real methods, actual numbers, and hard-won lessons from 15+ years of practice.
Read article →A practical breakdown of the best software for landscape architects—CAD, design, PM, and billing tools reviewed by someone who's used them on real projects.
Read article →Learn how to calculate and improve landscape architect utilization rate with real benchmarks, formulas, and workflow fixes that protect your firm's margins.
Read article →A practical CA checklist for landscape architects. Covers pre-construction, submittals, site observation, change orders, punch lists, and closeout. Based on how experienced firms actually run CA without losing money on the phase.
Read article →Step-by-step guide to calculating profit margin for a landscape architecture firm — per project and firm-wide. Covers direct labor, indirect costs, overhead allocation, industry benchmarks, and the common accounting mistakes that make firms look more profitable than they actually are.
Read article →A practical template for writing landscape architecture fee proposals that win work and protect your firm. Covers scope structure, fee methods (fixed vs hourly vs percentage), phase breakdowns, exclusions, and the clauses that prevent scope creep.
Read article →What to look for in project management software for landscape architecture firms. Real feature requirements (phases, MWELO, submittals, billing rates) — not generic PM tool checklists repurposed for LA work.
Read article →How to run a submittal log for landscape architecture projects. Covers required fields, numbering systems, tracking workflows, response-time targets, ball-in-court protocols, and the mistakes that turn a submittal log into a liability instead of a tool.
Read article →Compare the top Monograph alternatives for landscape architecture firms. Honest breakdown of price, LA-specific features, trade-offs, and which tool fits solo practices, boutique studios, and multi-disciplinary firms.
Read article →Current billing rates for landscape architects by experience level, role, and region. Includes the 2.5–3.5x net multiplier formula, regional adjustments, and how to benchmark your firm's rates against the industry.
Read article →A clear explanation of the standard landscape architecture project phases: Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding, Construction Administration, and Post-Construction. What happens in each and why firms structure work this way.
Read article →A practical guide to California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Learn how the MAWA and ETWU calculations work, when MWELO applies, and how to build a compliant water budget for your landscape plans.
Read article →Phasewise is built specifically for landscape architecture firms. Try it free for 14 days — no credit card required.
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