Bang For The Buck - CB Stanley

So, you are looking for professional design? Or, at the very least, something thoughtful, creative, and well-planned? Seems simple enough, right? Not so fast.

There is an adage that says, “you get what you pay for,” one of a few dozen similar sayings, and all of them are still very relevant to present-day products and services. The first question is always, “How much will this cost?” Well, that depends on if you are looking for the cheapest possible outcome or one that is well-thought-out with careful planning.

I always say, “bang for your buck,” and “quality” are never to be used in the same sentence, unless it is this sentence, right here. Fortunately (from a consumer perspective), if you are looking for the cheapest possible outcome, there are an abundance of options to choose from. But don’t be upset when you see the product, or when three revisions later, you’re still not happy, and now you’ve wasted three weeks of time.

So, what are the potential pitfalls of going down the path of cheap? They can vary from minor inconveniences, to impacts on lead-times, and to issues that may result in legal action. ANY quality product has appropriate costs associated with it. When these costs are cut to achieve the cheapest outcome possible, it is never a good thing.

Benjamin Franklin was quoted as saying “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten,” which is still true today, especially when those change orders start rolling in after the contract is signed. You might think you saved 30% in costs up-front, but you should have saved 60% with the quality of the product that you got.

It’s not wise to pay too much for a product, but it is certainly worse to pay too little, or (from the design perspective) nothing at all. When clients are setting a budget for their project, there are variables such as property value and resale to consider when designing the space.

Credit: Tipton Spires Design, Green Couture Co., CB Stanley

Photo Credit: Jimi Smith Photography

Are they going to get the best return on investment when they sell the property? Is that cheap product going to be a red flag to the potential buyer who can spot an inferior product and move on to the next property with a better-quality product (from a construction perspective)?

The common and most-talked about solutions are always determined by three factors:

• How good does this need to be?

• How fast does this need to happen?

• What is your budget?

Photo Credit: Jimi Smith Photography

There are also things to consider from the designer and builder’s perspective. The client base that you desire isn’t driven by “cost,” but rather by “value.”

Clients understand that quality, in any industry, takes a certain level of expertise, thought, and creativity. They expect to pay for your services because your diverse portfolio covers a spectrum of design styles that would fit their needs, and your range isn’t limited to “modern,” or “traditional,” or one specific “design style.” These clients also see that your work just looks better than the other 99.9% of products they have been presented within creativity, function, and form.

Good, fast and cheap – pick two of the three.

• If it needs to be done fast and cheap, it isn’t going to be good.

• If it needs to be good and cheap, it probably won’t happen very fast.

• And if it needs to be good and happen fast, it isn’t going to be cheap (relatively speaking).

So, let’s get to the point – you charge for your experience and creativity, not so much your time. Never let the client dictate your fees. Clients are not paying you for the 20 hours (more or less) that it took you to properly design a space. They are paying you for the years it took you to master your craft.

You must have the mentality that you won’t be the cheapest, but where you miss on competing against the cheap products that flood the industry, the client will gain in the added value that you can offer in terms of creativity, thoughtfulness, and pride you take in the details of your work.

But, yes, there will be a cost, and you will always get what you pay for.

Photos: Jimi Smith Photography Build / Design Credits: Tipton Spires Design, Green Couture Co., CB Stanley