tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post2319692101354656917..comments2024-03-24T16:57:57.958-07:00Comments on Dorset Custom Furniture - A Woodworkers Photo Journal: Update on Design FeesDorset Custom Furniturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992509915231892524noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-12724245846989335722009-05-20T14:44:32.566-07:002009-05-20T14:44:32.566-07:00I deal with this on a case by case basis. If you ...I deal with this on a case by case basis. If you are able to do the design quickly then there is no real need to charge a fee. In the case where there are multiple revisions to the design then by all means you should charge for design time. I don't think that charging for design makes any difference in 'copy right' issues for custom furniture makers. our work is usually unique and our clients chose us for that reason.<br /><br />David<br />www.davidrasmussendesign.comAspen Custom Furniturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04970385183827613079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-41472622384522755342009-05-18T18:48:00.000-07:002009-05-18T18:48:00.000-07:00I'm with Joey. If this is a new client, especiall...I'm with Joey. If this is a new client, especially one that has no clue of what a design like this entails, I could see her freaking out. I once was working on a custom order that started out with a little back and forth and before I knew it, I was getting the order started and realized that I had nothing in writing. And, the customer was ticked when I insisted on a formal written order.<br /><br />wv = sucksingJeff Branchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01402561454519694074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-80395086977960538382009-05-18T10:02:00.000-07:002009-05-18T10:02:00.000-07:00This was a question I addressed a while back and I...This was a question I addressed a while back and I ended up stating up front to the customer that I charge a design fee of XX dollars per hour for design work, and the charge is refunded in the cost of the job if I build the job if not then the design fee is non refunded. <br />This give the customer an incentive to let me build the job or at lease cover the time I spent designing. <br />I actually had a customer take my drawings for a Kitchen to a friend and ask for a cheaper price since it was already designed, lucky for me he recognized my drawings and called me. Neither one of us ended up doing the job, we both figured anyone who would do that was probably trouble to work for. <br /><br />Joey<br />http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15607196138882959757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-44448251772539387362009-05-18T05:19:00.000-07:002009-05-18T05:19:00.000-07:00Hi Marc and David ... This is exactly the kind of ...Hi Marc and David ... This is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping to start. I KNOW it's a problem for nearly everyone in the custom furniture field and it's probably, mostly an 'education' issue and a 'here's my posted policy' issue. Let's see what comes of the discussion. David below has a valid point, however, in this day of web browsing do we really have any control over our designs anymore anyway? I get stuff all the time, particularly from interior designers, asking for quotes on pieces I know are from someone else's website .. but that's an issue for another discussion once we get this one further along. I also posted the questions on two other forums and as responses roll in I'll put up links to them. Thanks to everybody for participating ... I'm ready to deal with this (finally) ....Dorset Custom Furniturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00992509915231892524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-54608903201035549192009-05-17T23:52:00.000-07:002009-05-17T23:52:00.000-07:00Do not charge a design fee or you risk having your...Do not charge a design fee or you risk having your work classified as "work for hire" and could lose control of your copyright.<br /><br />I would have a non-refundable deposit at an early stage and include sketches, consultations etc. in that chargeUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03822367158829811532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996158924511262385.post-71855458455618204372009-05-17T22:19:00.000-07:002009-05-17T22:19:00.000-07:00Excellent and fundamental question! I never reall...Excellent and fundamental question! I never really charged a design fee as I was nervous that it might cost me the job. But I always felt like I was being naive by NOT doing so. Even now, I have a few emailers that I have been having ongoing conversations about their finishing woes. I only wish it stopped at 10 emails. Some of these folks are up to 30-40! When and how do I draw the line?? At some point does it justify a consulting fee?? Who knows. I suppose its hard once that ball is rolling. But if I had some guidelines and rules in place ahead of time, I probably could save myself a lot of frustration. And I think had I continued down the road of making custom furniture for a living, as you do, I would have had no choice but to charge for consultations and design time.<br /><br />Afterall, I am getting a new shop built and I can't get anyone to do more than a hand drawing on a napkin without an associated fee, lol. At the quality level you produce, your design time is very valuable. <br /><br />So, all that said, I definitely think you should charge for anything that takes more than 5 minutes of your time.TheWoodWhispererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214863759446246762noreply@blogger.com