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I'll show you mine if you show me yours first.....
And if I refuse to post my license on the internet...what, that makes me a liar?
You are free to express your professional opinion. That doesn't mean you are the only one allowed to. There are several professional designers who use this forum. Most of us don't agree on everything.
And if I refuse to post my license on the internet...what, that makes me a liar?
You are free to express your professional opinion. That doesn't mean you are the only one allowed to. There are several professional designers who use this forum. Most of us don't agree on everything.
You dont have to post your license.....but I am curious are you an Architect?
And if I refuse to post my license on the internet...what, that makes me a liar?
You are free to express your professional opinion. That doesn't mean you are the only one allowed to. There are several professional designers who use this forum. Most of us don't agree on everything.
My point was the fact that you should know that designers in different areas of the country do NOT charge the same fees, percentages, etc.
Kodaka- did you read the website you linked in one of your first posts?
It suggested: $1200 per room and 5-10k for an entire 3 BR, pre war apartment. OP is only having three rooms done. The 35% markup is on products they are purchasing throught the manufacturer- not on outside services. That article suggests 15-20% oversight/management for subcontractors.
So by your own article's estimation this designer is overcharging on everything except product markup on the items she orders. I have dealt with designers and a couple of haughty ones at that (out of Atlanta to work on houses in Charleston and Kiawah.) I've never seen full upfront payment or 35% on the subs costs. Usually you cap that at 15% same as contractors mark-up. And most will work hourly if asked & prefer it on small jobs since it guarantees they do not eat time with a client who needs a therapist instead of a designer.
As far as your comment on a 5% fee paying an architecture firms costs for several years- on some projects 5% may not even cover the cost of all the consultants much less arch staff, liability insurance and any profit. And it takes more than one hour to design and spec window openings. Arghhh!!!!
If that were the case what seems to be 1/3 of the profession would not be unemployed or contract at the moment because they would still be feasting of the glory years before the bubble burst.
My point was the fact that you should know that designers in different areas of the country do NOT charge the same fees, percentages, etc.
I pointed out geography many posts ago, if you'll recall. But ultimately what a designer charges is what the market will sustain. Even within a given geography there is a wide range of fee structures.
What OP's designer is charging is within reason. Sure there may be some that charge less. There may also be some that charge more.
OP doesn't have to hire this designer if they don't like the fees. Although its sounding more and more like they have already hired the designer and benefited from their service, and are just looking for an excuse not to pay the invoice they've received. Which I wouldn't advocate or support regardless of the percentage charged.
Kodaka- did you read the website you linked in one of your first posts?
It suggested: $1200 per room and 5-10k for an entire 3 BR, pre war apartment. OP is only having three rooms done. The 35% markup is on products they are purchasing throught the manufacturer- not on outside services. That article suggests 15-20% oversight/management for subcontractors.
So by your own article's estimation this designer is overcharging on everything except product markup on the items she orders. I have dealt with designers and a couple of haughty ones at that (out of Atlanta to work on houses in Charleston and Kiawah.) I've never seen full upfront payment or 35% on the subs costs. Usually you cap that at 15% same as contractors mark-up. And most will work hourly if asked & prefer it on small jobs since it guarantees they do not eat time with a client who needs a therapist instead of a designer.
As far as your comment on a 5% fee paying an architecture firms costs for several years- on some projects 5% may not even cover the cost of all the consultants much less arch staff, liability insurance and any profit. And it takes more than one hour to design and spec window openings. Arghhh!!!!
If that were the case what seems to be 1/3 of the profession would not be unemployed or contract at the moment because they would still be feasting of the glory years before the bubble burst.
Everything you have said is spot on!
Especially the part where the client needing a therapist, not a designer......I have sooooooo been there!
I pointed out geography many posts ago, if you'll recall. But ultimately what a designer charges is what the market will sustain. Even within a given geography there is a wide range of fee structures.
What OP's designer is charging is within reason. Sure there may be some that charge less. There may also be some that charge more.
OP doesn't have to hire this designer if they don't like the fees. Although its sounding more and more like they have already hired the designer and benefited from their service, and are just looking for an excuse not to pay the invoice they've received. Which I wouldn't advocate or support regardless of the percentage charged.
If you had read the rest of the OP's posts, you would have noticed that I asked where she was, and that I inquired whether a contract had been signed.
What the Op's designer is charging is NOT within reason in Alabama.
Maybe in DC, but not in Alabama.
If you had read the rest of the OP's posts, you would have noticed that I asked where she was, and that I inquired whether a contract had been signed.
What the Op's designer is charging is NOT within reason in Alabama.
Maybe in DC, but not in Alabama.
Yes I am aware OP has revealed they are in Alabama. 'Within reason' is not the same as 'average'. What is reasonable is what customers are willing to pay. It doesn't matter that the designer is in Alabama and not NYC. If customers are willing to pay it, then their fees are reasonable.
And clearly OP had no issue with the designer's fee when they were preparing space plans and ordering furniture. They just have a problem now that the invoice has arrived. And I can't imagine any designer agreeing to lower their fees after the services have been provided, because an anonymous designer on an internet forum said they should, or even just because the client doesn't want to.
This statement does not make any sense whatsoever.
OP, I am not going to hijack your thread any to argue with someone that obviously has some kind of need to have the last word.
If I can be of any more help to you, please feel free to DM me.
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