A detailed set of plans will save money for everyone involved

Today more than ever it's important to have a good set of plans for your remodeling projects. Yet many contractors and consumers overlook and undervalue the benefits of a well thought out project.

We've all heard horror stories about projects that have gone bad. If you take a close look at some of the reasons those projects failed, it usually had to do with poor communication. The expectations of the consumer were not the expectations of the contractor.

The contractor failed to produce an adequate plan, resulting in poor specifications and an underbid project. In an attempt to salvage something, the project quality suffered. The customer noticed and started to raise red flags and everything went downhill from there.

Many consumers can't read a plan and fail to understand what they've purchased. Once a project starts and the results are different than they imagined, conflicts arise.

In my many years of producing plans for contractors and consumers I've seen time and again the positive results that occur when everyone understands exactly what's involved. Projects that have good plans go smoother and are more profitable. This applies to room additions, kitchens and bath remodeling, decks and porches, basement finishing, whole house remodeling, and so forth. Every project needs a plan.

Since someone has to produce a set of plans for each project it's important to acknowledge that the planning process involves a lot of time. Someone will have to be compensated for their time. When it comes to the planning process the old saying that "you get what you pay for" really holds true. Time spent on a well thought out plan will produce better results for everyone.

 
This 9 minute video is intended to get you thinking about the importance
of making your Design efforts a profit center in your business.

Let's examine 4 key areas needed to produce a set of customer friendly and permit ready plans.

1. The As-Built

Garbage in - garbage out - This saying holds true for many things including the as-built drawings for a project.

A friend of mine told me about one of his bathroom projects. He commented that he took some quick measurements of the existing bath and from these measurements went back to his office to produce a set of plans. He sold the project, got the permits and sent his crew out to do the job.

He received a call from his crew informing him that the plan was off by 2 feet. Imagine making an error like that on a bathroom. The project came to a screeching halt and he had to start over. It cost him a lot of time, money and aggravation not to mention that his customer was not very happy about the situation.

This could have been avoided if he had not been in such a hurry to get to his next appointment for another free estimate. If he had been compensated to produce the plans, he could have spent the time necessary to measure the project accurately, producing a set of plans that worked and avoided all of the problems. Everyone would have won.

2. The Conceptual Plan

The process of spending time with a client to find out their needs and wants, and applying those findings to the plan can take a lot of time. It requires many meetings and the investigation of different ideas to arrive at a layout that works.

So many factors come into play for a good design including massing, traffic flow, personal tastes, architectural elements, product selection and of course budget. Asking the right questions and having the experience and knowledge to answer those questions are all part of what a good designer brings to a project.

Time and again I see designers and contractors underestimate the value of their knowledge. So many people are focused on the budget that the other things get taken for granted.

Don't fall prey to the thinking that the budget is the only thing that matters. In the course of spending the necessary time with a client you'll build a strong trusting relationship that will ultimately result in an outcome that is beneficial to everyone.

If you are being compensated for the time it takes to produce all 4 elements of a plan you will be able to spend the time necessary to work with each client and produce a plan that fits for them in all aspects.

3. 3D Modeling and Rendering

Today more than ever our clients are thrilled to learn you can show them their project in 3D. In fact many people expect it. Your ability to work with your clients, make changes in real time and show them the concept in 3D is one of the best communication tools available today. There are no surprises.

Add to that your ability to use your expertise to offer ideas and suggestions that never occurred to them and you're well on your way to building a trusting relationship that will ultimately land you the project.

Using 3D as a communication tool not only works for your clients but for everyone else involved in a project. I've worked on many projects where I've been able to discover better ways to lay out the plan and solve complicated structural issues because I could actually see what was involved.

Design and building expertise combined with 3D modeling is a valuable asset that should not be taken lightly. As you approach each client and show them what you can do, try focusing on selling your design services. With this financial commitment you'll be able to spend more time working with people that you know are serious about their project.

4. Detailed Working Drawings

The final step in the planning process in many cases is of less interest to your clients than you. The tedious detailing needed to define the project in its entirety so you can complete the proposal, contract, get building permits and give the plans to everyone involved in the project is a lot of work. Make sure your clients understand your experience in detailing the plan is part of the reason they decided to work with you.

The 3D is your client's roadmap to understanding the project. The details are your instruction manual for how the project will be constructed. The better the details for your plan, the better the chances you have for a successful and profitable project.

In the construction industry today there are fewer skilled trades people to do the work. Your ability to communicate all of the project details in 3D and 2D is an asset that everyone will appreciate, especially your clients.

The benefits of offering design services

Does it really cost your client anything if they invest in the services of someone to produce the plans? You be the judge. Any one of the items below could save your client more than the cost of the plans.

1. Getting paid to produce a set of plans will allow you to spend more time with those that are really serious about their project. It's a great qualification strategy.

2. You'll raise your level of professionalism. Professionals get paid for their services.

3. You'll have the opportunity to build a strong relationship while discovering ways to help your clients save money on their project.

4. By taking the time necessary to produce accurate As-Built drawing you'll have a better understanding of the existing conditions and can make recommendations for things that would otherwise end up costing someone extra.

5. You'll be able to produce better estimates because you'll have a better understanding of exactly what's involved in the project.

6. You and your customer will avoid costly project delays from oversights and inaccuracies in the plan.

7. You'll avoid the "That's not what I thought I was getting" responses from your clients that will cost them extra and/or dig into your profits.

8. You'll know before the project starts that all of the products specified are available because everything was decided during the project planning.

9. You'll avoid many of the endless "Why" questions from your clients.

10. You'll save time by reducing the number of meetings needed and the on-site mistakes made because your crews will know exactly what is supposed to be built.

11. You'll avoid many of the costly schedule delays brought on by endless change orders.

12. The investment made by a client allows you to take the necessary time to help them find cost saving strategies for their project. (Maybe moving that wall is not the best idea).

13. As a professional contractor/designer you can help your clients save money by offering alternative product selections during the design process.

14. You and your client will get a better night's sleep because everyone knows exactly what is supposed to take place with the project. Everyone's expectations are defined ahead of time.

15. You'll be able to put away most of your fire extinguishers. Good planning will take care of many of your fires before they get started.

This 3 minute video was used as a fund raiser for a school. It was produced using
MS Movie Maker with still pictures and fade effects. This slide show was presented
to 100's of people and raised a lot of money for the school

Make your design services a profit center

Asking someone to invest in your Design Services should be the same as asking them to invest in your contracting services. You're in business to make a profit. Your time is valuable and you need to treat it that way. Design should and must be treated like any other profit center in your business.

In most cases the inability to charge for design services is a self imposed limitation. If you can adjust your mindset and internalize the benefits that are derived for both you and your clients by being compensated for your design services, then everyone wins. You get paid and your client gets a quality project that fits within their budget. Simply because you took the time to point out the benefits of working with a true professional like yourself.

Let them think they can get apple to apple bids from your plan

Remember - with the economy the way it is it's more important than ever to spend your time with qualified prospects. If someone is serious about a project they need a plan.

You can sell your design and planning services separately from your building services. As part of your agreement you can allow your clients to get other bids. I know this sounds dangerous but it's a tactic you can use to put your client at ease while you go to work showing them how well you can perform.

If you give your client the attention they need and deserve, do a good job on the plan, bring it in at their established budget and build a positive relationship with them, they won't bother getting other bids. You'll have earned their trust and the job.

On the other hand you may discover during the design process that the two of you are not a good fit for each other. Giving yourself a way out can be beneficial and will allow you to keep the positive relationship intact. This process really works. Give it a try!

Need professional help with your plans?

Dan Baumann is available to help you with your design needs
and can be reached at dan@chiefexperts.com or 952-451-9911 

Services include:

• As-built measuring of your projects
• Help with conceptual plans
• 3D Modeling and Rendering using Chief Architect
• Detail plan drawing
• Complete working drawings
• Plan Cleanup, help with levels, roofs, terrain or any other aspect of your design
• One to One help with Chief Architect
• Will work with your client on your behalf
• Meetings in person or online