Natwerk Designs

How do you charge for designs and bids?

My company designs and builds custom furniture and cabinetry. We also design offices, libraries, trophy rooms, and all the interior millwork. How do we recover some of the many hours of work involved to give a professional bid? On the jobs we contract, its part of the job. It's the ones we don't get or the ones the potential client uses to go with someone else.

Public Comments

1. I'm sure you have also gotten some business where a customer has had another contractor spend a bunch of time on a bid and then gone with you. Its not unheard of for Engineering firms to charge for up front design, but keep in mind that if your competitors aren't charging an up front fee and you are it could cost you business.
2. I would suggest charging a drafting fee for the plans, and/or blue prints you do. Tell them if they choose you, and allow you to do the work you will deduct the charge for creating the blue prints and plans from the cost of the construction that way you do not loose out on your hard work, and it will help your customers pick over other contractors because you offered them a credit up front.