Some clients have referred me to others, and the project is to design, but not build, some all-new kitchens and baths into existing space. High end stuff. They’ve no plans, only sketchy ideas.
Projects would be to get it all designed, detailed, and specified, then they would do all the sourcing and the work.
What would you charge?
Replies
By the hour..........$75/hr.
Gene,
I agree somwhat with pickings, but hourly work can bring the fear of open ended cost to the Homeowner. An expereinced designer should know how much time ti will take him to do the suggested work, but care must be taken to define your responsibilities.
When I do design work for existing improvements, I give a detailed list of responsibilities and a guaranteed cost. I have statements in the contract detaling inclusions and responsibilities, the number of client reviews sessions and revisions allowed for the stated cost. After these are exhausted, the client understands that my time is then billed hourly, or I can quote a price for further review and revisions.
If I want to build the project, I usually have a design / build offer included in the contract: ie: The plans and specifications work will be discounted ____% with a Contract to Build.
Edit: I was thinking whole house and not just kitchen/bath, so what I wrote first was not especially relevant.
Edited 8/30/2006 11:14 am ET by CloudHidden
Good advise there.......
Over the years, I started charging hourly for kitchen type projects because people will want to see 6 gazillion versions.....there is always..."you know what I saw that looked really cool....."
I can quote a fixed price (like you suggested) for an add-a level, an addition, or a remodel, easier than a kitchen.
Most people will respect your design of the size and layout of rooms based on your expertise w/ traffic patterns etc....but in a kit.....too many cabinet layouts/combinations possible, and HOs all become " layout experts".
Been out of pocket and very busy lately. Some of my advise is based on being abused as you mention. Now, I try to clearly understand the client in the initial meetings, state responsibilities and include some review and revision time, but with limitiations. Whenthere are revisions and changes beyond my stated responsibilities add charges are obvious.
$3000 - $5000