Jenny Slingerland
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jennyslingerlandParticipantThe spreadsheet isn’t a document I upload for class, but I can tell you how I create it. I use google sheets, each room has it’s own section. I have three additional columns far to the right. First column to far right: How many hours I think that item will take to select Second column: my hourly rate Third: the total of the hours x my hourly rate. Then I can hide those columns on the far right when I export for .pdf for my client. Then they have the pdf of all the selections I will be making for their project.
Kitchen:
Faucet
Sink
Countertop
Cabinetry style and color
Hardware
Backsplash
Flooring
LightingPowder Bath:
Faucet
Sink
Countertop
Cabinetry style and color
Hardware
Backsplash
Flooring
Lighting
WallpaperSide note for the kitchen : I will help clients with appliances if they need it, but typically it’s such a personal thing that they often do that on their own. But I will put it in the finish schedule for them when I get a record of it from the vendor or client.
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Stacey,
Great questions!
It would be VERY alarming to me and my clients if the builder was not responding to me or to them. Do you have budgets so that you can continue making selections with the homeowners? If not, ask the homeowners for their budgets. I would have a talk with them about how worried you are that he is not responding. Do you need to tell them that your schedule is such that you need to be making decisions now, then you should. He’s hijacking everyone’s time at this point. He 100% should have responded to you by now. I would continue to reach out weekly to him with a call and email and make sure it’s documented so you have record of it. I’m hoping he doesn’t have a retainer from your client and they can look elsewhere, I would have major red flags if I were them. This is how your entire project will go I’m afraid.
Do you know who the architect is? I would send your edits to them and have them update the drawings. It’s early enough that they should be able to do it.
If your client is okay with the changes taking space from another room, then I say go for it. Just make sure they know.
Hope that helps!jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Jocelyn,
I’m so glad the class is helping you!
I put the spec sheets for lighting, plumbing, appliances, etc., behind it’s coordinating finish schedule.
Ya, the presentation is just the concept pages, so totally up to you if you want to add it or not. I promise they never look at it. 😉 haha. All drawings and elevations go under their individual tabs.
Great questions!jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Brianna,
I think one of the most important things to do is to ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t be intimidated if you don’t know something, ask! That’s why I encourage everyone to go to all the site meetings, so they can learn from the electrician, the plumber, the tile installer, the framer, all the trades basically. That’s how you’ll get the best education!
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Jacquline,
My list was extensive for the table of contents. The purpose of the Table of contents is simply to call out what you have drawn or elevated. The numbers go in numerical order and then give it description in the table of contents. It will be easier for me to go over these questions in class today rather than try to write it out. I’ll do that at the beginning of class.
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Trudi,
The tab pages are reinforced, but the elevation pages and finish schedule pages are not. I haven’t had any issues with it (knock on wood!). 🙂
I will print a book for them if they request it, but lately they have just wanted it in dropbox, which is nice.jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Christine,
Once you give the builder your spec book, your job is basically done in regards to the materials. It is the builders responsibility to make sure that the vendor’s order matches what is on the finish schedule. Also, it is the vendors responsibility to give all information to the builder in regards to delivery. If they need a reselection they will let you know. Given the regularity of things being out of stock, I would have it in your contract that reselections are charged by the hour.
Hope that helps!jennyslingerlandParticipantThanks so much for getting this started Jen! Such a great idea! 🙂
jennyslingerlandParticipantThanks for the great input Brianna!
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Rebecca! I am usually reviewing the architect’s RCP so early on in the process that I haven’t thought about the exact fixtures I’ll be using yet. Review the RCP first and get the lights where you want them so you can get that off to the architect to change and then begin making your selections. IF you aren’t moving cans or adding fixtures, then you can hop right into the selecting of the lights. Hope that helps!
11-10-2021 at 9:11 am in reply to: Approaching Design Fee Packages + Changes with Client/Builder #23010jennyslingerlandParticipantSuch a good question!
When a client is still in that early phase, but want us involved in the architectural plans, etc., we will take a retainer of $3,500, $5,000 or whatever we think is an appropriate amount for the timeframe and then we bill those hours used here and there with the architect, builder, etc. against the retainer. They get a monthly breakdown of our time billing. Then when the plans are finalized we can figure out what we want to charge.
I think the option#2 will work if the secondary spaces you are referring to don’t include lighting, built-ins, trim detail, tile, etc. Our spec book only includes the rooms and spaces that have those items listed above. For example, my build book won’t have a guest bedrooms unless there is a wall feature, hanging fixture or something that a trade would need to know about. If you can do that, I cannot imagine any builder getting upset.
For site visits, consider what I talked about in the first week. In your contract specify that that once you turn the spec book over, there is xx amount of hours that they can use for site walks, calls from builders, trades, etc. Depending on the size of the home the hours can range from 10-25 hours (or whatever you want it to be). Then tell them any additional work or site visits will be billed at your hourly rate of xx. I always make it clear that we’re happy to help them past those initial 20 hours, but that it will be billed hourly time once you reach those 20 hours (for example). Then I would take another retainer of $3,500, $5,000, or whatever is best for you and bill against it, just like you did in the architectural phase.
Hope that helps!
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Sam,
My process is similar to Regina’s but mine is 50% at signing contract, 50% prior to spec book delivery. I like Regina’s timeframe better I think.jennyslingerlandParticipantDonna,
Your drafter will do it in CAD and then you would add images on top, like we did if you want it to look like ours. We use a program called Keynote on our Apple computer. We simply take a snap shot of the material and then put it overtop of the cad.
jennyslingerlandParticipantHi Rebecca! In all honesty I try really hard not to take on clients that want to be really hands on throughout the whole process. It’s time consuming and it’s like taking a kid in a candy shop at every showroom. If you have clients who want to be that hands on I would charge hourly, if you don’t, you’ll lose money. I say in my discovery calls, “In my experience, it’s best if we make selections and present them to you…” I have borrowed plumbing fixtures for a presentation. Often times seeing the image and having my finish sample is enough for them to approve it.
I take clients to pick slabs, if they want to be there. Hope that helps!jennyslingerlandParticipantAsk the builder what he prefers, he’ll let you know. Most often they have you contract directly with the client. Good luck!
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