Either you can use my procurement process (and my sources) or the choice to pay for the design and specifications; which includes a retail source list and to DIY on the install end. It takes thousands of details that I mange on your behalf to create a fabulous space. The pain of the process is always worth it. Either you can be responsible for it or I can. Purchasing activities can be 60% of the total time invested on the project. We all know how products come in damaged or wrong, how things are sometimes not made to our exact specifications, etc. And all that has to be dealt with. Dealing with issues like this takes time. And time is money.
If you prefer the latter – then you are responsible for managing, handling and dealing with the purchase orders, coordinating deliveries, dealing with the follow-up, shipping, damage reports, etc. For the clients that like to shop, we decide who will source specific items when settling upon the scope of the project. If you need my help for any problem resolution on the back end or processing, I do charged my hourly design fee as your advocate.
If you opt for the full service package, I will select/specify the merchandise, order, manage the orders, receive/inspect, deal with freight claims/repairs if necessary, store/warehouse all of the merchandise until the project is finished & ready for install. I will hire the moving company (sometimes I will have you pay the moving co. direct), supervise loading at the warehouse, supervise unloading at site & properly placing all of the products, supervise in art placement, taking out the plastic nail-ins & put felt nail-ins in or felt pads to protect their floors, everything down to the T!
Construction Materials
My job is to specify materials, but in most cases your contractor will purchase them. Your general contractor or builder may charge a variety of ways including time and material, or cost plus. This is where he/she offers the invoices for each item and has a percentage mark up. Depending on the project, my studio might purchase specialty items for a construction project including lighting fixtures, mirrors or window treatments.
Furnishings
I provide pricing quotations for products specified through my studio. Pricing products and materials occurs usually upon final decisions being made by my clients. This isn’t to say I am not thinking about your budget as I pull together furnishings and materials. I will be pulling items that match your investment guidelines. But since my selections are many times custom to each client we don’t have a master price list for goods we specify on hand.
Once you place your order, there will not be any more time billed for your particular purchase. Time spent tracking orders, coordinating receiving, deliveries, or handling freight – or the occasional issue with quality or damaged goods will be billed as a Purchase Management Fee (which is included in your quoted price). As a stickler for details and I expect excellence in the pieces you order.
I choose my resources carefully in order to deliver the best value. The receive discounts from some of which I can pass on to you. It depends on my discount. Your cost will not exceed retail pricing.