1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:04,800 Hello and welcome to episode 39 of design curious podcast, I'm 2 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:08,600 your host and Mentor Rebecca Ward today on the podcast, I'm 3 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:12,400 talking about a very controversial and Hot Topic 4 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:15,200 charging for that initial consultation. 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,100 Now I would say that nowadays, it seems like more people are 6 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:23,800 charging for it than not which I believe is a good thing but we 7 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,500 can talk about that in the episode. 8 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:31,700 And before we get into that let me remind Adieu that I have for 9 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:36,300 you a few free things that you are looking for more information 10 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,300 about the career of an interior designer, then you can download 11 00:00:40,300 --> 00:00:42,700 the three things. I wish I had known when I 12 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:46,400 started my career in interior design and then I also have the 13 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:49,500 roadmap to becoming an interior designer. 14 00:00:49,500 --> 00:00:53,400 So you can find those links for those downloads in the show 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,700 notes of today's episode. And I'd also like to remind you 16 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:59,800 to leave me a rating and review of the podcast. 17 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,500 I love to hear what it is, you're enjoying about the 18 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,300 podcast and just helps me to keep on going. 19 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:09,400 I have so many great ideas, so many great interviews coming up 20 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:13,100 for you that I'd love to make sure that those are things that 21 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:15,000 you are interested in in hearing. 22 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,200 All right. Now let's talk about charging 23 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:26,200 for the initial consultation. You're now listening to design, 24 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:30,600 curious a place where you create a one are here to learn about 25 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,300 what it really is. Like, to be an interior designer 26 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:38,000 and I'm your host and Mentor Rebecca, Ward, if you're worried 27 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,700 about how to succeed in a creative career, if you're ready 28 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:44,800 to learn your next steps to become an Interior Designer. 29 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:49,000 And if you want the satisfaction of doing something you love 30 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:52,600 everyday, you are. In the right place, grab a 31 00:01:52,607 --> 00:01:55,700 coffee, a notebook. And let's dig into today's 32 00:01:55,700 --> 00:01:59,500 episode. Charging for your initial 33 00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:04,100 consultation is actually a really controversial and Hot 34 00:02:04,100 --> 00:02:08,699 Topic, among the interior design Community, it is very often 35 00:02:08,699 --> 00:02:14,100 discussed of whether or not you should charge to do your initial 36 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:18,900 consult and there are strong feelings and both directions. 37 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:23,200 However, my experience has always been that you charge for 38 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:26,400 the initial consultation. I believe it was recommended to 39 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,500 me out of college. Definitely because I was a 40 00:02:29,508 --> 00:02:33,700 member of asid American society of interior designers. 41 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:38,200 They always also encouraged their members to charge for the 42 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,500 consultation because they are professionals. 43 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:45,800 So the argument for not charging, I guess it could be 44 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,300 that oftentimes contractors are not charging to come to the 45 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:52,000 site. So the client is not expecting 46 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:54,900 that the designer would charge for you to come to the site. 47 00:02:55,100 --> 00:02:57,600 If you're looking at the project to see whether or not you want 48 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,300 to take Take it and the rebuttal to that would be when a 49 00:03:01,300 --> 00:03:06,600 contractor comes on site. They are not typically doing any 50 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,500 work they're just taking a look at the project seeing the scope 51 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:12,300 of work and getting a feel for it. 52 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,900 Whereas when a designer goes on site the client is expecting 53 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:20,200 them to come up with ideas and talk about a probable solution 54 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,600 that could work and what their needs are and they'll talk about 55 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,200 what their taste and style is and all that is information that 56 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:33,100 the Could give out for free on site and give the client, a lot 57 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:37,100 of ideas, a lot of information and some would say, that's what 58 00:03:37,100 --> 00:03:39,300 you should do. So then the client can know 59 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:42,400 whether or not that you are a good fit that, you have some 60 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,800 great ideas and that they should hire you to move forward. 61 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:49,100 Conversely though, I would suggest you charge for your 62 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:52,500 initial consultation. Then there are actually many 63 00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:55,200 reasons why I would encourage you to do that. 64 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:57,700 First of all, you are a busy person. 65 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:02,800 Person and your time is valuable and so taking a couple hours out 66 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,200 of your day to go, visit a job site would be prohibitive of 67 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:11,400 making any profit throughout the day because you're only getting 68 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,000 paid by the hours that you are billing. 69 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:18,399 If you Bill out early or even if you are doing a flat fee, you 70 00:04:18,399 --> 00:04:21,200 still need to be working and moving your projects forward. 71 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:24,500 So one of the arguments for charging for an initial 72 00:04:24,500 --> 00:04:29,400 consultation is that the client will Start to perceive your 73 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,700 value when you get something for free, usually value it a lot 74 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:35,200 less than if you're paying for it. 75 00:04:35,500 --> 00:04:41,000 So there is a phrase, I think that goes people who pay pay 76 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:46,300 attention and so if you want your client to pay attention to 77 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,200 the value that you're bringing and your expertise, then 78 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:54,600 charging them, a fee, for your time, would be a good way to 79 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:59,400 facilitate that, then if you are charging for Your time you can 80 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,100 then speak as freely as you. Like at that initial 81 00:05:03,100 --> 00:05:06,200 consultation, you can give out as many ideas as you might want. 82 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:10,100 Whereas, if you weren't charging, you might be saying, I 83 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:13,600 have a few ideas for this, but we can talk about that once we 84 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,800 get into contract or you might be like, well, this, this could 85 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:21,700 possibly be a good solution, but you're really hesitant to go all 86 00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:26,200 in and start the design work. Whereas since I charge for my 87 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:30,500 initial consultations, I'm We actively working on those 88 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:34,600 consultations and coming up with Solutions and coming up with a 89 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:37,800 plan and direction at that initial console for the client. 90 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,600 It's really, and that's why I call it a project starter 91 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:43,800 consultation, because we're doing a lot of work on that to 92 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:47,100 our consultation. And if you're doing just a half 93 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:50,500 hour, free half hour or hour, consultations here, and there 94 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:54,000 that does build up over time, even if you're not giving a lot 95 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,700 of information, you have to drive there, drive back, and 96 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:59,400 take time out of Out of your schedule to do it. 97 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,400 So, most people that I talk to now do charge for that initial 98 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,100 consultation, I think that is becoming a more common practice. 99 00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:10,300 I'm hoping that it is a more common practice for designers. 100 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,000 So even if you're just starting out, you know, I encourage you 101 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:18,900 to charge hourly because you're not aware of how many hours. 102 00:06:18,900 --> 00:06:23,300 It might take you to complete a project and the hourly charge 103 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:27,400 that you're doing should be at least a hundred dollars per hour 104 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:32,400 and Over that depending on your education and experience. 105 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:37,400 So I would say at least charge $100 for that first hour 106 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,400 consultation. Now, I charge a high fee for my 107 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:44,600 initial consultations because I want to factor in the time it 108 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,800 takes to travel to and from that consult, which is typically 20 109 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,700 to 30 minutes away from my office. 110 00:06:50,900 --> 00:06:54,100 And then I'm charging for two hours of my time. 111 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,500 And then I bring my associate designer with me and it's two 112 00:06:57,500 --> 00:06:58,700 hours. As of her time. 113 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:04,500 So, our initial consultation fee covers, all of those are early 114 00:07:04,500 --> 00:07:06,800 charges that I would normally charge a client for. 115 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,800 And so that way, we're not resentful of the time that we 116 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,100 are spending with the client starting to do this project 117 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:17,700 starter consultation. And then it is worthwhile for 118 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,200 us. It's worthwhile for them because 119 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,600 they get a lot of value out of that, whether or not, they're 120 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:24,100 moving forward. But most of the time, if we know 121 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:27,000 that we're doing a project starter consultation, then we 122 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:31,500 know that They are 95% of the time moving forward with our 123 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:34,300 services. And how do we know that is? 124 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:37,300 Because we do offer a free Discovery call. 125 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:43,200 So this is what designers will often do to help the client 126 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,800 understand whether or not they are a good fit before the 127 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,600 designer comes out to the job site. 128 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:52,300 So a discovery call is typically 15 to 20 minutes long. 129 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:55,800 You get the client on the phone and we talked about this a lot 130 00:07:55,800 --> 00:08:00,800 with our Our view with Porsche back in episode 15. 131 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,500 So I'll put a link to that. So you can listen to her, 132 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:08,000 explain the reasons why you want to Outsource your intake calls 133 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:12,300 and that whole process. But on that intake call, we're 134 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:17,000 typically talking to the client asking them their project scope 135 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,300 parameters. What they're hopeful budget is 136 00:08:19,300 --> 00:08:23,600 what our typical design. Fees are getting feedback and 137 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,900 really trying to get to know the client. 138 00:08:25,900 --> 00:08:28,900 See if they're a good fit for our Firm in the way that we 139 00:08:28,900 --> 00:08:30,900 operate in. There's a certain way that I 140 00:08:30,907 --> 00:08:34,200 like to operate and run a project start to finish and 141 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,700 there's other clients who might not be looking for that. 142 00:08:37,700 --> 00:08:40,100 They might be looking for a client to just be on call if 143 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:42,900 someone to go shopping with them and I don't do that with my 144 00:08:42,900 --> 00:08:45,900 clients. And so this is a great way to 145 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,000 really screen out. The clients aren't a good fit 146 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,800 and then really get to start a relationship with the ones who 147 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:56,100 are a good fit. And so, and even before that 148 00:08:56,100 --> 00:08:58,800 Discovery call, we have them. Fill out a questionnaire. 149 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,500 That has a lot of this information on it so then we can 150 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:04,500 discuss that with them on the Discovery call and then 151 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:09,000 afterwards we follow up with a more in-depth document on what 152 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,900 that consultation will include and what they can expect to get 153 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:13,900 out of that. And then once they agree to 154 00:09:13,900 --> 00:09:19,500 that, we can move forward. So we have a lot of touch points 155 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:23,100 with the client before we even get on site with them. 156 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:27,300 And so by the time were on site, we are prepared to really do the 157 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:31,200 work Really provide a lot of value because we are 158 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:34,200 professionals and we want to give our professional opinion on 159 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,900 everything and really be helpful to the client. 160 00:09:37,900 --> 00:09:41,800 And the best way that I see, I can do that is by charging the 161 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:44,500 client and having them get value out of it. 162 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:47,700 And my goal is to actually deliver more value than what 163 00:09:47,700 --> 00:09:51,400 they are charging for it. Another way that you can provide 164 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:57,400 more value to those prospective clients at no charge is to have 165 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,300 a lead magnet. So you might have a PDF download 166 00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:05,600 that gives them tips on how to style bookcase or whatever it is 167 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:10,000 that your ideal client might be looking for some things to avoid 168 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,500 when you're remodeling your kitchen or you know, it could be 169 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:17,400 anything. So I have a style quiz which 170 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:21,900 gives the client information on what their taste and style 171 00:10:21,900 --> 00:10:25,700 actually is and how to put that into words and then they can go 172 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:27,500 and explore those images further. 173 00:10:27,500 --> 00:10:31,500 So that Before they meet with us, they have a better sense of 174 00:10:31,500 --> 00:10:33,700 what it is that they like and what they'd like to see in their 175 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:36,200 project. So that is one way, you can also 176 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:40,300 have additional downloads. You can give and send in a 177 00:10:40,300 --> 00:10:42,600 follow-up to your Discovery call. 178 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:48,100 I have a remodel Survival Guide that is available for people who 179 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:50,300 just want a little bit more information might be doing 180 00:10:50,300 --> 00:10:52,600 things on their own. So there's always an Avenue for 181 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:56,800 someone who might not be ready to commit to a full project. 182 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,200 I like to To provide value at a lot of different levels. 183 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,200 And so, that's something you consider, but, definitely highly 184 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:08,200 encourage you charging for that initial consultation and 185 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,600 hopefully some of the things that I've brought up today. 186 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:23,400 Will convince you to do likewise So short and sweet episode today 187 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:27,500 on that initial consultation, but I wanted to make sure that 188 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:30,000 you have that information because when you're starting out 189 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,900 or thinking about starting out, this is really good advice for 190 00:11:33,900 --> 00:11:37,700 you and just to be able to make sure that you're making money 191 00:11:37,700 --> 00:11:40,400 every week as you go out on these consultations. 192 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,300 And then the other bonus from it is that you also value yourself 193 00:11:44,300 --> 00:11:48,400 as a professional, you know, that your expertise is worth the 194 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,800 fee that you are charging. But I love to hear your thoughts 195 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,500 on initial consultations that I said, I know it's a Hot Topic 196 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:59,100 and so if you disagree with me, anyhow some great points, you'd 197 00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:01,700 like to bring up. I would love for you to reach 198 00:12:01,700 --> 00:12:04,500 out to me and let me know what you think about that. 199 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:09,200 So you can reached out to me at podcast at our design.com are 200 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,700 saying to my DMs on Instagram at our Ward design and we can have 201 00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:16,200 a conversation there because I love hearing all sides of the 202 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,600 story. And so that is it for me? 203 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:24,000 This week next week, I'll have another great interview for you 204 00:12:24,300 --> 00:12:28,300 with someone who does a lot of eat design and what her take is 205 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:31,800 on it and how you could incorporate this into your 206 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,900 business model. So stay tuned for that next week 207 00:12:34,900 --> 00:12:39,800 and until then stay creative. Thanks for listening. 208 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,600 If you loved this episode, please leave a rating and a 209 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,500 review. This helps me reach other 210 00:12:44,500 --> 00:12:45,500 curious. Creatives. 211 00:12:45,500 --> 00:12:49,200 Like you, if you have a topic request or would like to contact 212 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:54,000 me, Simply head over to my website, our Ward design.com or 213 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:58,000 email me at podcast at our Ward design.com.