Remodeling: Design Feeshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/design-build/design-and-designers/dsign-fees/design-fees.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1765910<url /><link /></image><description>The Information Source for the Home Building Industry</description><language>en-us</language><pubDate /><webMaster /><item><title>SecondLook: David Heaneyhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/design-build/secondlook-david-heaney.aspx?rssLink=SecondLook%3a+David+HeaneyThis Delaware remodeler has diversified his business by providing customized space plans and estimating services for health facilities..Fee (Not So) Simplehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/fee-not-so-simple.aspx?rssLink=Fee+(Not+So)+SimpleFor some remodeling clients, the concept of a volume discount extends to remodeling projects. They argue that there are efficiencies of scale or that expensive finishes don't increase a remodeler's risk proportionately. Faced with a design/build remodeling project estimated in the million-dollar range, should you reduce your design fees?Three aspects to design feehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/designfees/drawing-a-fee.aspx?rssLink=Drawing+a+FeeWhen you first begin charging for design, the fee is often seen as more of a client's commitment than a profit maker. “When you look at your efficiency in doing the design and moving the client through effectively,” says Mark Richard-son of Case Design Build, Bethesda, Md., “that's an indicator that you can start to look at the design fee more in terms of its profitability.”Charging up-front for designhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/drawing-a-fee.aspx?rssLink=Drawing+a+FeeMark Richardson of Case Design/Remodeling says Case has, over a 30-year period, evolved a process for charging for design — preliminary design, for which the client is charged .5% to 2%; detailed planning, which is 6% to 8%; and construction. But Case didn't start out that way.Charge For Design Serviceshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/design-build/fee-for-service.aspx?rssLink=Fee+for+ServiceCharging for design and other preconstruction services is growing more common among remodeling companies, but the design/build concept is rarely executed the same way twice. Design expertise is valuable. Get paid for it.Three levels of servicehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/design/level-headed.aspx?rssLink=Level+HeadedThe owner of Daniel's Kitchen Design (www.danielskitchendesign.com) in Anaheim, Calif., says his design services are more affordable than those offered by full-service firms and Home Depot services, including the company's Expo Design Center.Big50: Business Savvyhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/big-50-business-savvy3.aspx?rssLink=Big50%3a+Business+Savvy3Over the years, Mason Hearn's partners have retired or left the industry, leaving him sole owner of McGuire, Hearn & Toms. Until recently, Hearn charged a design fee of 3% of construction costs.Opinions on whether estimates should be priced, and where to apply the feehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/estimating/do-you-charge-for-estimates.aspx?rssLink=Do+You+Charge+For+Estimates%3fProfessionals pay professionals and know they must. I charge for estimates and keep the money because I believe that a contractor's time is extremely valuable. The homeowners receive 45 minutes to an hour of free consultation during the first meeting. After that, they pay for our time. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/design/design-fees-to-charge-or-not-to-charge.aspx?rssLink=Design+Fees%3a+To+Charge+or+Not+To+ChargeAnna Mavrakis, TNL Design/Build Canton, Ohio We do charge a design fee for any drawings done for a job. I own two businesses, Monson Interior Design (high-end kitchen and bath design/build) and a kitchen and bath remodeling franchise, DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen.