It’s hard enough out there designing with passion, winning work to secure the future, and maintaining a balance with life, without worrying about that most wanted and needed of commodities – cash. When you contract work to a client for a tangible product, a kitchen or a bathroom for example, your client in the main is paying you for something they can see, touch and feel, where as a when a client is looking to contract you for a design there is nothing tangible about that transaction.
In addition, when you are charging for design, the client is essentially trusting your reputation and believing your ability will deliver them the outcome they seek.  And every smart designer knows that endorsement of their ability from a third party assists them in the procurement of that business and delivers support and approval to their work.
These two issues, cash and endorsement, have existed for a long time and following requests for a solution from members and the supply chain, KBDi delivered Australia’s first Kitchen and Bathroom Design Contract some 18 months ago.
Having been specifically designed for the kitchen and bathroom design community, this KBDi contract has not only stood the test of time, but has been an outstanding success for members in their quest to have surety in payment and a strong third party endorsement to their endeavors.
There is also a recommended scale of design fees to guide the designer in what to charge for design to the private consumer. This guide  covers design survey, design development, project planning, final documentation and additional work, all with a range of suggested fees that can be charged for, with each section entailing a detailed explanation of the work to be carried out by you the designer.
The kitchen and bathroom design consultancy agreement is in reality, in two parts. The first covers the basics of the agreement, who you and the client are including your membership details, the fee in total, the deposit requirements, an option for rebate (should the client proceed with the project), the terms of the engagement, (how long), the payment procedure and the payment dates.
The second section is devoted to the design scope of works and covers the four stages of services as detailed in the scale of design fees. If more than one of these is to be optioned by the consumer you are able to determine the percentage of the total contract by a percentage of the total fee and thereby splitting the amount owing at the completion of each stage selected.
Finally there is a comprehensive explanation of the terms of the agreement. The KBDi kitchen and bathroom design consultancy agreement is the most comprehensive, yet easy to use design contract available in Australia today. It provides security over the fees you charge, and therefore the security of those payments, plus a third party endorsement of your ability and credibility as a designer. It is printed in self-carbon duplicate and supplied in books of 50.
Now into the third print run, this business essential is available to members for $55.00, or non members for $77.00, the books can be purchased from the KBDi by email admin@kbdi.org.au or by phoning 1300 253 223

 

This article is published by the Kitchen & Bathroom Designer eMag, a joint venture of Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly and the KBDi (Kitchens & Bathrooms Designer Institute).

Article Tags: KBdi, contracts, consultancy agreement