Right in there. Usually an hour, sometimes longer on the interview site walk with client. I can usually get a cad plan (you need a certified plot plan for building permits and septic work in my area, so recent survey work has usually been done) that will have the house, road, lot lines, septic, and often topo. Still I have to measure and locate plants and other things that did play into the reason that the survey work was done 1-4 is the normal hour range, I would agree. I'm usually doing a full landscape plan for a new or heavily renovated house with walls, walks, patios, and often swimming pools (because of where I get my work from). The way that I write design contracts typically has a flat rate with a limited amount of revisions and then an hourly rate that kicks in when we stray from the contract (which I learned from others who I worked for). The result is that the clients get much more focused rather than chasing concepts in different directions. It really speeds up the process. Still, twenty to forty hours is the norm for a complete layout plan showing trees, shrubs, and hardscapes with spot elevations and contours when applicable. Annuals and perennials are generalized and construction details are extra. The flat rate contract with the hourly rate when the scope creeps is really a great way to go. Hourly rates can scare clients into not hiring you and flat rates can have you dancing all over the place for a client for a shrinking return and open ended time frame. This way the client knows what it will cost and will go the extra mile to see that they get what they need out of you without having those hourly rates kick it. Again, this I learned from others along the way. I found it the most comfortable way to work and the most efficient way to get to a complete plan in terms of time, and cost. The biggest thing is that the client is more focused and forthcoming at the outset and much more easily turns the reines over to the designer once you get going.

Wayne, here's the headline...Crystal power Palmtop Nuclear Fusion Device Invented By Michael Schirber LiveScience Staff Writer posted: 27 April 2005 01:00 pm ET The nuclear reaction that powers the Sun has been reproduced in a pocket-sized device, scientists announced today. Researchers have for years tried to harness nuclear fusion to power the world. But its cousin, nuclear fission -- the breaking apart of atoms -- is the only method so far commercially viable. The latest invention is not in the same league as efforts to build complex commercial reactors. The new device creates a relatively small number of reactions, and requires more energy to operate than it produces. The Real Deal (AP) - Previous claims of tabletop fusion have been met with skepticism and even derision by physicists. In one of the most notable cases, Dr. B. Stanley Pons of the University of Utah and Martin Fleischmann of Southampton University in England shocked the world in 1989 when they announced that they had achieved so-called cold fusion at room temperature. Their work was discredited after repeated attempts to reproduce it failed. Fusion experts noted that the new UCLA experiment is credible because, unlike the 1989 work, it did not violate basic principles of physics. "This doesn't have any controversy in it because they're using a tried and true method,'' said David Ruzic, professor of nuclear and plasma engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "There's no mystery in terms of the physics.'' -- Associated Press But the configuration is so small and simple that its creators think it may inspire unforeseen applications. "I certainly find it interesting that you can heat a cubic centimeter crystal in your hand, then plunge it in cold water and it will cause nuclear fusion," Seth Putterman from the University of California Los Angeles told LiveScience. Putterman's lay description greatly oversimplifies how the compact apparatus works. Specifically, Putterman and collaborators heat a pyroelectric crystal, lithium tantalite, from minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit to plus 45 in a matter of minutes. This generates an electrical charge -- 100,000 volts -- across the tiny crystal, which is housed in a chamber filled with deuterium gas, a heavy form of hydrogen. The high voltage is focused onto a needle-thin tip, which strips electrons from nearby deuterium nuclei and then accelerates them at a solid target containing deuterium. When two deuterium nuclei collide together at high speed, they fuse to form helium. The Sun also fuses atoms in thermonuclear reactions that create light and heat. The byproduct of the newly discovered lab reaction is a particle called the neutron. The scientists detect about 1,000 neutrons per second. Because neutrons are so penetrating, Putterman said that a hand-held neutron source might one-day be used to do geologic surveys or to look into cargo containers for nuclear devices. "Current neutron generators are extremely cumbersome," Putterman said. "They are about as big as a dentists X-ray machine, so you canÂt carry them into the field." Pyroelectric crystals could also provide a beam of ions for use as a microthruster in a miniature spacecraft. The research is described in the April 28 issue of the journal Nature.

Resolution.... (hopefully) I replied to his threat to "serve" us with a layout of the objectively wrong things that happened, along with our documentation to support it. I also said I can't believe a professional would be proud of this work, but if you are, then I am happy to help share that this is what your customers should expect. I also pointed out that he has yet to address, apologize for, or even acknowledge any of the things that are wrong even though he has ample opportunity. I said that I do not think the work they have done is worth the full asking price and if he thinks it is, then he should take the steps he thinks is necessary. He replied that court would not be a win for either of us and that I should reply with a price I think is fair. I replied with two different calculations bringing me to the conclusion to offer $1,600. He replied that he would not accept less than $2,000 and that he'd proceed with court if I don't agree, and then threw in a couple more ridiculous claims. I think it's more than he deserves but I have several other very stressful things happening in my life right now and we decided we are willing to pay $2,000 to get this out of our lives. I told him to send me a new invoice stating this is the final amount due and language saying it would be considered paid in full to him and his subs. THEN... he sent the new invoice that included the language I requested AND a statement that neither I nor my husband is allowed to post any negative online reviews and said he wanted this signed with the check. My blood pressure shot through the roof, and I immediately replied that I would not sign any such language and would take this to court with the full amount at risk if he would not remove it from the invoice. He eventually sent me a new invoice without the online review waiver and I intend to sign it, pay him, and get this shyster out of my life. I think I know now why there are no negative reviews of his business online. I think his whole business is probably a scam, and while I do intend to leave online reviews to protect others, I am frankly concerned about him being retaliatory. We are installing a security system at our house tonight. Lessons learned: research the crap out of any contractor you hire, if they are telling you they can do things that others can't, don't believe them, and document everything you possibly can during the process. It's a lesson that cost me $2,000, plus another $10,000 for the new cabinets I'll have to buy, plus some $$$ for the vacation I now need to take just to bring my stress levels back to a normal range. Thanks everyone for being my therapy and providing such good advice and insight. I hope I don't have to post on this anymore and this is d.o.n.e.

Yes what Lukki Irish said, we will find out more as we do more research on transmission paths, what is and is not safe. We have some tentative data right now, but more will be forthcoming as the virus spreads around the world. The reason I am willing to err on the side of caution is that I don't have a place I like or trust to eat out at right now even under the best of circumstances so now's not going to be the time to start experimenting. I wish that there was a way for me to support the one or two places I do like to go just to help them make it through these times, but right now all my discretionary giving and spending is going to the local food pantry. Many of our other less formal means of food distribution have had to close temporarily here until we can regroup when there are more resources to keep us safe. Those who can gear up now for maximum safety are having to meet more and more need as time goes on. We are one of the top states right now for virus spread. Right now the virus prevalence is relatively low compared to what it will be in future months, so we have no way of knowing how it will spread here in the US. Right now is the calm before the storm. A lot depends on how we manage the crisis and how successful we are at keying in on lowering the rate of spread and the prevalence in society. For example if 50% of the population gets infected it will be a lot safer than with 70% of the population infected, and on and on. If we can identify and effectively quarantine the sick, they will not likely be at work spreading the virus. But if not, all bets are off. That's why quick, accurate, inexpensive and safe testing is so vital to us getting back in business.