Working as a Successful Team
Increasing Profitability for Designers and Architects
By Vincent E. O'Connell
There is nothing more dramatic for a client than a before and after picture of their home, especially when the project has gone exceptionally well. Seeing sketches and drawings come alive, with drafts and blueprints emerging into functional and aesthetic spaces, is the ultimate goal for both designers and architects as we seek to create a final product that is beyond a client's expectations and dreams.
Reality dictates, however, that nearly all clients are budget conscious, despite the grand designs created by architects and designers. When talking to clients about projects and designs that would require a contractor or architect, some are fearful of high costs or of losing their own design input. Concept to reality may look easy in photographs and on paper, but as trade professionals, we know the difficulties in achieving the final project.
We also know the complexity of keeping everyone on the same page. When creative energies are flowing, the greatest risk is that the designer and architect, in trying to please the client, can end up at odds. I think the old adage of designers wanting things that are unrealistic to build, and architects creating spaces that are less than ideal to furnish still rings true today. For instance, designers have learned that when designing drapery treatments, the structural placement of windows can often prove to be a challenging and potentially expensive undertaking when trying to create an aesthetic balance with scale. Master bedrooms have posed additional challenges, as limited floor plans make placing current oversized furniture either impossible to fit, or noticeably out-of-scale. An example is designing a floor plan that can only accommodate one nightstand with a king-sized bed.
With current building trends and the ever-current need for remodeling existing homes, we, as professionals in our industry, have to work harder and smarter. Today's consumers are well-educated, savvy and sophisticated. They are well aware of the many options available to them when choosing the right person or design team. Prior to the start of a job we need to remember that working together, troubleshooting potential problems and creating a finished product in our designs is a critical first step. This will help alleviate some concerns of cautious and hesitant clients. It enables clients to relax by trusting the process, and us, more fully. We can all increase our possibilities of repeat business, referrals and increased profitability by creating a successful team mentality.
September 2005 Builder Architect Edition Issue