Only Girl On The Jobsite

Have you ever had a prospective client ask what you'd charge for a renovation before you've even seen the space? I've been there. And I think most interior designers have felt that pressure to give an answer before we have enough information to give one. But here's the thing: you can't accurately price a project you don't understand yet. In this episode, I'm talking about one of the biggest mistakes designers make before a project even begins. We rush to provide numbers because we want to sound confident, be responsive, and keep a potential client interested. I'm sharing why that approach can hurt your profitability, how I handle those first conversations, and why your discovery process is so important. Because the goal isn't to give your client the fastest answer, it's to give them an answer you can actually stand behind.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why giving a price too early can lead to underpricing and unrealistic expectations How two similar renovation requests can require completely different fees What I want to understand during an initial discovery call Why I insist on having all decision-makers involved from the beginning When discussing a broad pricing range makes sense How a well-defined scope of work helps protect your profitability If you've ever felt pressured to throw out a number just to keep a prospective client interested, this episode is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-project-pricing   

A good contract is essential. But what happens when you've done everything right and the project still goes sideways? My friend Wendy Estela, an attorney specializing in construction and design law, is back for part two of our conversation about protecting your interior design business. Wendy is the founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™, a contract template and subscription service created specifically for interior designers. With 25 years of experience in business law, she works with designers at every stage of their careers, from those just starting out to AD100 and Elle Decor A-List professionals. What I appreciate about Wendy is that she understands our industry. She doesn't just look at the legal language. She understands the relationships, financial realities, and everyday decisions that can make or break a design business. Today, we're talking about difficult client relationships, unclear expectations, scope creep, payment disputes, and why the way you run your business every day matters just as much as what's written in your agreement. Wendy also shares why she doesn't believe in the idea of a bulletproof contract, how designers can better explain their terms to clients, and why sometimes the smartest business decision is to walk away from a dispute. And I'm sharing some of my own experiences, including mistakes I've made with contracts, the way I walk clients through my agreements, and a payment situation that taught me a very expensive lesson. You'll Learn: Why a strong contract alone can't prevent every client dispute How to explain your contract so clients understand what they're agreeing to Why clear scopes of work and consistent business practices matter How payment terms can help protect your design business When pursuing a dispute may cost more than it's worth Why setting expectations during discovery is just as important as the contract itself If you haven't listened to Episode 276 with Wendy, I encourage you to go back and listen to that conversation too. These two episodes really belong together. Connect with Wendy Estela Wendy Estela is the founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™, where she helps interior designers navigate contracts, business transactions, and risk management with practical legal guidance. Website: www.estelalaw.com Contract templates and resources: www.designedcounsel.com Instagram: @estelalaw | @designed_counsel   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-contract-protection   

Have you ever promised a client their project would be finished by Christmas, only to realize there were a dozen things outside your control? I've been there. In fact, I once found myself crawling underneath a fully decorated Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, trying to finish a curtain installation before my client's guests arrived. That experience changed how I handle holiday deadlines forever. In this episode, I'm talking about what interior designers need to consider as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas approach. We'll look at the very different challenges of decorating and construction projects, why you need to understand exactly what your client means by "the holidays," and how to communicate realistic expectations without making promises you can't keep. I'm also sharing how I approach decision deadlines, construction sequencing, trade availability, winter weather, and planning for time away. Plus, I'll talk about the year-end gestures I make for clients and contractors to show my appreciation. Because your projects don't have to be finished before the holidays, but your clients should absolutely know what to expect.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why I stopped guaranteeing holiday completion dates How to uncover what your client's holiday deadline actually means How to explain the impact of delayed decisions on construction schedules When changing the construction sequence might be worth the additional cost How to prepare your clients, contractors, and trades for the holiday break   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/holiday-project-deadlines   

I'm currently working on a beautiful historic renovation and addition that's running almost seven months behind schedule. And while that certainly wasn't the plan, it's also been a really valuable reminder of what matters most when construction doesn't go the way we expected. In this episode, I'm talking about construction delays, what they actually mean for your project, and how to manage them without damaging your client relationships. Because here's something I think designers need to understand: just because an activity is delayed doesn't necessarily mean your entire project is behind schedule. And before you start giving your client new completion dates, you need to understand the difference. We're also talking about those uncomfortable conversations with contractors, why consistent communication matters so much, and what an extended construction schedule can mean for your own business and profitability. You'll Learn: Why a delayed task doesn't always mean a delayed completion date What to ask your contractor when a project falls behind How to communicate delays without making promises you can't keep Why a new completion date isn't the same as a recovery plan How extended construction schedules can affect your fees, capacity, and other projects   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-handle-construction-delays  

For years, I thought the answer to making more money in my design business was simple: more projects. More clients, more opportunities, more work. But when I finally stopped and looked at what those projects were actually costing me, I realized how wrong I'd been. As we head toward 2027, I want you to look at what your business is already telling you before you start making plans for next year. In this episode, I'm walking you through five things I believe every interior designer should review, whether you're managing your first construction projects or you've been running your firm for decades. We're talking about profitability, the projects you'd actually want to repeat, your calendar and capacity, referral relationships, and how to figure out what kind of help your business really needs.   You'll Learn: Why more projects don't necessarily mean more profit How to recognize patterns in your fees, scope, and project profitability What your calendar reveals about your capacity and personal life How to attract better-fitting projects through your referral relationships How to identify the support your business actually needs before hiring   Mentioned in this episode: Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-business-planning-2027