Managing Clients

[dmplus3]

In line with my recent periods of pondering and reflection, and having consulted with a few 'clients' (IE friends/family/recent aquaintances) on all matters interiors lately, I am interested to know how some of you professionals manage your clients.

Leaving aside the fact that you probably have some sort of contract in place, which I haven't (and didn't need to), one of the main problems I have encountered has been people underestimating their budget, due to (a) not really knowing what things cost, or (b) just having no idea. I have worked my .... off to develop a scheme for them on a budget, and then they've gone out and spent the same amount on just one piece of furniture?!!!!

Another problem is where I've spent lots of time with them, working out what they want/need/like etc, and then they ditch me and do the job themselves. Not necessarily to their benefit, haha!

Anyhoo, enough of my (perhaps stress-induced) babble - your feedback is appreciated!

PS: It is quite possible that I am overly sensitive.

[Julie-Ann]

No its a real pain and a discussion I have had with others in the industry.

It is a difficult situation. The most beautiful kitchen I ever did - my traditional masterpiece - the client stuck a $10 plastic clock on the mantle covering the rangehood. The thing to remember is that it is there house.
To protect yourself so that you don't put in the time and don't get any profit I either charge an hourly rate if they want me to go shopping with them. (Be careful that all final decisions are the clients and not yours- you don't want them saying they don't like the choice after they have purchased it and it's your fault). Or most stores will give you a designers discount- usually around 10% - sometimes less and sometimes more. I explain to my customers that I will not charge them for shopping time if they purchase from my suppliers. I half the discount - eg 5% for them and 5% for me. This is a Win-Win. They get a discount they couldn't get without me and my time for free, and I get usually more than I would charge hourly.
But this frustration is why I like to do my own properties- after all I am the perfect client - I do exactly as I tell myself I should do

[rosierose]

I think you are both very brave to be interior decoraters...... It is a very personal thing this design business and also if you are doing something you love and you put in your heart as as it sounds like you have DMPlus3, then it would really hurt to have them take your ideas and then do it themselves.

I have consulted with 2 interior designers for a previous build we were going to do which was intended to be much larger than "Rome".... One charged me an initial fee of $400 and the other $275.... after which time they would charge a smaller hourly rate...... So you could charge an initial consultation fee and then hourly rate.....
I did discover through the consultations that I knew a lot more than I thought I did and that in reality didn't need these professionals but they were paid for their time (approx 3-4 hrs) so no one was unhappy with the outcome....
Every designer despite getting an idea of what the client wants still has a unique style of which they should be proud but understand that is not to everyone's taste. Therefore not all clients will take your design advice but that should not be taken as a personal blow....rather see it as different strokes for diff folks. In saying that you should always be paid for your services..be it at a discounted rate for friends but still your time is valuable and so is your advice.
Big hugs

[Julie-Ann]

Originally Posted by rosierose

Every designer despite getting an idea of what the client wants still has a unique style of which they should be proud but understand that is not to everyone's taste. Therefore not all clients will take your design advice

That is so true Rosie. I recently handed over a client to Elements as I knew Kristie's style was so similar to the clients. And the Asian resort style is the style I am least comfortable with. The client is my Dermatologist so her happiness is very important to my skin. No pressure Elements.

[Elements]

J-A I have just seen this post.....No pressure indeed. Lucky I did phone you today.
Your skin is at stake here
M, I will be back to answer your question later. I am off to see J-A's dermatologist.

[Lizzie]

Hi DMplus3

I can really relate to this except in another area... I do some graphic design work and I find it so hard to charge for the time it really takes me to complete a project - a friend who works for herself keeps telling me it is a confidence thing.

In the end I just charge for a completed project rather than an hourly rate though I do have a rough idea how much time it will take me - probably costs me money but then I can 'play' around with layouts and get an end result I am really happy with without worrying what it is costing the client.

Don't think I will ever be a business woman but at least I a happy...

Good luck and as J-A says in the end it is the client's decision and not take it personally - probably the hardest thing I have learnt to do...