7 replies to this topic

[randolph cohn]

For Pros: To Charge or Not to Charge for Consultations

houzz community shares insights on handling initial consultations

 

https://www.houzz.co...wsletterId=5483

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Randy I think we should charge out all design and consultation on a "Cost Plenty" basis only!!

[Martin Livingston]

I like the idea of the free 30 minute consultation. If you offer your potential client something of value then they will generally become a paying customer. Most people only want value for their money.

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Joking aside we agree with Martin on some free consultation. Seems the consultation is ongoing

and we do not charge for it. Most of our clients become long time friends who in turn refer their friends.

We just try to pass along good value with a quality product along with a win win for all. 

[Tom Rogers]

Agree.  I do first meeting free (usually an hour but I'm chatty :-) )  No sketches are involved but just enough knowledge and advice to bait them into moving forward with a a contract. 

[Keith Almond]

All our consultations are free. We only charge for the drawings ... not meetings.

[randolph cohn]

first consultation free,

 

than i spend a few days up to a week getting a feel for the project

while also going out to house and measuring it and chatting with

the building inspector and planners and getting their feed-back.

do some prelim designs and than schedule the 2nd meeting.

btw,  between the first meeting and second meeting, 

i draw up a contract and get a down payment.

 

btw,  i only do "flat fee contracts"

if there are changes after the clients give me the go ahead

to start the con docs, i than charge a fairly hefty hourly rate.

 

my renderings are all part of the "flat fee" except for photo-realistic,

no one has asked for photo-realistic yet.

i guess my softplan renderings have been good enough.

[Tom Rogers]

VERY similar to how I work Randy, though I suppose California prices are a lot higher