Name: Lynn Byrne
City: Pelham
State: NY
Comment:
I am an interior designer in Westchester county. I recently attended a talk by Bill Stubbs and Bunny Williams where they advocated strongly for installing a project all at once—nothing delivered piecemeal. Is that how you do it—hold all the products until the entire project is ready? If so, where do you keep everything and how do your clients react to continual check writing without seeing any goods till the very end?
Vicente Responds:
I work proforma, so before a client receives anything, they have to pay in full. I give the date of installation to suppliers. Small boxes are kept in my office and it’s how well you organize the installation that will make it successful. It’s the best way to do it as the client sees the overall vision, not piecemeal, and it allows you to bring in accessories on consignment and have them see the job completely done as you envisioned it.
We discussed the final installation process a while back on this blog and got some really interesting feedback from others – read that post here.
#1 by Karena on March 24, 2010 - 4:00 pm
Absolutely, it holds up your professionalism and stature as a designer.
#2 by Hillary on March 24, 2010 - 5:03 pm
Dear Mr. Wolf;
I noticed on someones blog that you mentor and give advice to those who are just entering the Design world. Well, I am currently working on my Graduation Project. If you do not know what that is, it’s the biggest project a high school student has to do otherwise they don’t Graduate. I need to find a mentor, and I was wondering if we could talk over e-mail and I could ask you a few questions. I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Hillary
#3 by Vicente on March 24, 2010 - 7:47 pm
Hi Hillary – Feel free to send any questions you have to info@vicentewolf.com.
#4 by amanda Burdge on March 25, 2010 - 2:25 am
Vicente
I find it incredibly difficult to find clients that will wait for everything to be installed all at once. I also find it difficult to collect up front. Most of my clients want piece meal because they don’t have the budget to do everything at once.
My office is located in a converted warehouse district. I have 2000 sq ft of warehouse to hold and store my jobs. Can you suggest some tips on over coming objections from clients and how to approach a job to encourage them to purchase all at once?
#5 by Acanthus & Acorn on March 25, 2010 - 11:52 am
I think it is always preferable to have an installation/load in day done all at once. However, if it is something very large such as a sectional sofa or armoire I will gladly let it be delivered, because my storage space is very limited. But, I always instruct clients to leave it packages/covered, once I have inspected it.
Before I was blogging, I had read your previous post. Ironically, this very thing happened to me on the final prep for photos of a master bathroom. The mirrors had not been delivered, but we just had to go on with it anyway! I posted this space in early January 2010.
The clients were able to have to have that “big reveal” moment that means so much to designer’s and it was work that I was proud of. But, not fretting about the missing mirrors I attribute to the comfort you gave me by sharing your experiences with this fact of design.
#6 by Decor Arts Now on March 25, 2010 - 2:47 pm
Vicente,
Thank you so much for answering my question, even though you covered it recently (I didn’t know about your blog then). My clients pay up front also, but I have never tried to have a “big reveal.” I plan to try it on my next project. Thanks again for the advice. Best, Lynn Byrne from Decor Arts Now.
#7 by Christine Schwalm on March 26, 2010 - 1:18 am
I think some clients can handle delivery in stages, but most can not. They hire us because they can’t visualize how to put the entire space together. The client may know what they like but can’t break it down into what specific elements create that look the way we can. And that’s a good thing–I like having a job. I have heard from other designers that clients complain/question decisions when things are delivered in stages. Of course that rug looks too dark, it’s supposed to have a large light sectional on it and light drapery panels on the windows. If it’s at all possible, all at once is much better. The only thing I disagree with is not having anyone there. If someone can be there to serve as a witness just in case anything goes wrong (something breaks, damage), it’s a good idea.
#8 by Vicente on March 26, 2010 - 2:13 pm
Christine – myself or my staff will always be there, but I don’t think that having the client there is beneficial. Even if the broken piece is damaged, in the client’s head it will always be wrong. I want them to walk in and experience the total concept. What we do is create environments and I think that’s the best way for a client to experience it. When they see it in total, they judge it in total.
#9 by Vicente on March 26, 2010 - 2:24 pm
Amanda – If they don’t have the money, you can’t get blood out of a rock… But they should pay your balance prior to completion and if you don’t have a contract that specifies this at the beginning, then that will be a problem. If they don’t pay for it, you cannot deliver it. If they want to see it, have them come to your warehouse, but don’t let them get it in their house before they paid the balance. It will come back and bite you in the ass.
It’s much easier to collect the money before the pieces get delivered. Once they have it, there is no incentive to pay.
#10 by Kathryn V Schaefer on March 29, 2010 - 10:42 pm
Vicente,
Can you offer any suggestions on a successful method of having a project published? I have submitted an amazing project to a top design magazine and have been told it’s under editorial review, that was 5 months ago! If I submit it to any other publication, I will be eliminated totally from this publication. Any suggestions on this process?
Kathryn
#11 by Alexander Kasa on March 30, 2010 - 3:32 am
I really try to focus on doing an entire installation… instant house, just add water! The impact that is felt by the client is totally beneficial. I’ve seen the husbands get teary eyed with “WOW”. Having the client there at install… not good.
Even if a client can’t install the entire job, you can install a room at a time; a complete thought with accessories, art, furniture, and rugs. I’m currently in a job that the client is doing it piece meal and can’t see or feel the vision. The only glory I’ve gotten the “You were right, i should have listened to you…” They are stand up people and pay for the corrections; luckily.