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I decided to kick my houseplan business back up... do some residental and commercial plans here and there beings i'm back settled down and have the time.
Before I was way UNDER priced at .35 per square ft... and the rate was right around .90 and higher. Now its between 1.00 and 1.25... I screwed up and estimated one plan at .65 a sqft.. but eh... gave the price so I stick with it.
Thing is, I have these homeowners that expect me to put in all the labor with out any type of down payment. I've been burned before and handed over prelim plans never to get a dime and the house was built from those plans. So I had to set down guidelines. I'm not one to do such because I'm a really trusting person and I hate telling a homeowner that before I hand over anything I require 50% down... but .... eh... I just had to.
So, I have alread spent a total of over 4 hours with homeowner discussing in's and outs of the home and property etc, I spent two solid days getting things exactly like they want them for the floor plan... nothing elaborate but took some time to get dimensions they way they want them... (they are being difficult and want inside to inside dimensions to be exact)
but I did it... now I have that printed out along with an estimate that I sent to her via email with a price list of what I offer for that price and all the extra charges that can occur after.
I feel really horrible actually taking that lump sum, but I being taken for a fool one to many times and trusting someone has put me in a bind and weeks of work just shot to shit... so I did. Haven't heard back from her just yet... I know I'm not overly priced, because I am near half the going rate that most people charge and give more attention to detail and spend more time than they do. I undercharged this homeplan but guarantee... I will up the price on the next to near double to keep up with the going rate.
Is requesting 50% upfront to much to ask? The first few meeting and getting that first plan out are the hardest. If I hand them over any good carpenter can build with the plans I give them if the building code does not require a full set. (had this happen already) I guess by requesting this amt, it gives me the security that they are really serious about building... and not just another fuckoff that decides he wants a set of plans to build 4 years down the road and then I never get paid.
Before I was way UNDER priced at .35 per square ft... and the rate was right around .90 and higher. Now its between 1.00 and 1.25... I screwed up and estimated one plan at .65 a sqft.. but eh... gave the price so I stick with it.
Thing is, I have these homeowners that expect me to put in all the labor with out any type of down payment. I've been burned before and handed over prelim plans never to get a dime and the house was built from those plans. So I had to set down guidelines. I'm not one to do such because I'm a really trusting person and I hate telling a homeowner that before I hand over anything I require 50% down... but .... eh... I just had to.
So, I have alread spent a total of over 4 hours with homeowner discussing in's and outs of the home and property etc, I spent two solid days getting things exactly like they want them for the floor plan... nothing elaborate but took some time to get dimensions they way they want them... (they are being difficult and want inside to inside dimensions to be exact)
but I did it... now I have that printed out along with an estimate that I sent to her via email with a price list of what I offer for that price and all the extra charges that can occur after.
I feel really horrible actually taking that lump sum, but I being taken for a fool one to many times and trusting someone has put me in a bind and weeks of work just shot to shit... so I did. Haven't heard back from her just yet... I know I'm not overly priced, because I am near half the going rate that most people charge and give more attention to detail and spend more time than they do. I undercharged this homeplan but guarantee... I will up the price on the next to near double to keep up with the going rate.
Is requesting 50% upfront to much to ask? The first few meeting and getting that first plan out are the hardest. If I hand them over any good carpenter can build with the plans I give them if the building code does not require a full set. (had this happen already) I guess by requesting this amt, it gives me the security that they are really serious about building... and not just another fuckoff that decides he wants a set of plans to build 4 years down the road and then I never get paid.
