Designing a Business: When and How Do I Outsource My Work?
Design business coach Chelsea Coryell weighs in on when you may need help and what another pro can take on
Interior designer and design business coach Chelsea Coryell of Washington state-based consulting and training firm Design for a Living has been helping fellow designers grow their businesses for more than a decade.
Q. When and how should I outsource my work?
A. You may be incredibly talented, but you’re just one person with a limited skill set. And let’s be honest, there are only so many hours in a day and you want to have a life outside of work. At some point you’re going to need to ask for help. And if you’re smart about it, outsourcing some tasks can actually make you more money.
Q. When and how should I outsource my work?
A. You may be incredibly talented, but you’re just one person with a limited skill set. And let’s be honest, there are only so many hours in a day and you want to have a life outside of work. At some point you’re going to need to ask for help. And if you’re smart about it, outsourcing some tasks can actually make you more money.
Drapery Workrooms
Draperies and bedding are difficult to make, which is why your clients will pay handsomely to have you design and produce these for them. You need to be meticulous in your measuring, so it’s best to have this done for you. Installation is a task best left to the professionals (and in some states it’s required by law). The design and construction will dictate which fabrics you can specify.
If you’re a newbie, your seamstress will become invaluable. With that in mind, you need to find a cooperative workroom that can assist you in learning the ropes.
Draperies and bedding are difficult to make, which is why your clients will pay handsomely to have you design and produce these for them. You need to be meticulous in your measuring, so it’s best to have this done for you. Installation is a task best left to the professionals (and in some states it’s required by law). The design and construction will dictate which fabrics you can specify.
If you’re a newbie, your seamstress will become invaluable. With that in mind, you need to find a cooperative workroom that can assist you in learning the ropes.
Product Vendors
You might be lucky enough to live near a design center that caters to professional designers, or maybe you’ve taken the time to open your own vendor accounts. Don’t be afraid to ask your sales reps or showroom managers for help. They know their lines better than anyone and they’re happy to help you sort through their overwhelming inventory if it means you’ll place your orders with them.
If you’re not purchasing at a discount for your projects, you can work with local furniture stores, but expect to pay full retail and then strategize your pricing structure accordingly. Don’t worry if your town doesn’t have a huge selection of furniture stores and designer accessories — that’s not what you’re looking for. You need quality over quantity and customer service must be their first priority.
Be sure and introduce yourself to explain that you’ll be the only one working directly with your client and that you expect to be a loyal customer. You earn less than if you’re sourcing your own product, but having someone take care of your invoicing, shipping and delivery can save you hours of paperwork and phone calls.
My best and most cost-effective recommendation is to explore your online options for purchasing your products. Companies like Houzz have designed their trade professional programs to be a one-stop shop for interior designers. Membership gives you access to hundreds of great designer vendors without having to worry about opening your own account with each company. They have service representatives to help even the newest designer order and track a project like a seasoned pro.
Learn more about the Houzz Trade Program
You might be lucky enough to live near a design center that caters to professional designers, or maybe you’ve taken the time to open your own vendor accounts. Don’t be afraid to ask your sales reps or showroom managers for help. They know their lines better than anyone and they’re happy to help you sort through their overwhelming inventory if it means you’ll place your orders with them.
If you’re not purchasing at a discount for your projects, you can work with local furniture stores, but expect to pay full retail and then strategize your pricing structure accordingly. Don’t worry if your town doesn’t have a huge selection of furniture stores and designer accessories — that’s not what you’re looking for. You need quality over quantity and customer service must be their first priority.
Be sure and introduce yourself to explain that you’ll be the only one working directly with your client and that you expect to be a loyal customer. You earn less than if you’re sourcing your own product, but having someone take care of your invoicing, shipping and delivery can save you hours of paperwork and phone calls.
My best and most cost-effective recommendation is to explore your online options for purchasing your products. Companies like Houzz have designed their trade professional programs to be a one-stop shop for interior designers. Membership gives you access to hundreds of great designer vendors without having to worry about opening your own account with each company. They have service representatives to help even the newest designer order and track a project like a seasoned pro.
Learn more about the Houzz Trade Program
Reliable Contractor
This should be someone who is licensed, experienced and willing to help you with even the smallest jobs. My contractor will assist me with everything from complete construction remodels to installing molding for a chair rail.
I’ve worked with many contractors over the years, and I’ve learned to keep this relationship simple and let them work with the client directly, with my design guidance, of course. The world of permits and liability can be a tangled web, and unless you’re experienced with the process, I’ve found that letting your contractor collect their own fees — and staying out of the legalities — is a win-win situation.
If you have a good contractor, you won’t have to do much baby-sitting on the job. All the time you spend making design decisions for the project can be billed by you to the client as design time.
This should be someone who is licensed, experienced and willing to help you with even the smallest jobs. My contractor will assist me with everything from complete construction remodels to installing molding for a chair rail.
I’ve worked with many contractors over the years, and I’ve learned to keep this relationship simple and let them work with the client directly, with my design guidance, of course. The world of permits and liability can be a tangled web, and unless you’re experienced with the process, I’ve found that letting your contractor collect their own fees — and staying out of the legalities — is a win-win situation.
If you have a good contractor, you won’t have to do much baby-sitting on the job. All the time you spend making design decisions for the project can be billed by you to the client as design time.
Bookkeeper
What designer likes to do paperwork? Not me. That’s why hiring out this daunting task is a no-brainer. These days your options are numerous and far less intimidating than handing over your mess of invoices and receipts to a stuffy CPA. I’ve met bookkeepers who work exclusively with interior designers and even help them when it comes to pricing their work.
Today we have online programs specifically designed to manage the tricky business of interior design, with project management features and, more important, invoicing and bookkeeping.
See how the new Ivy app can help you invoice clients and track your work
What designer likes to do paperwork? Not me. That’s why hiring out this daunting task is a no-brainer. These days your options are numerous and far less intimidating than handing over your mess of invoices and receipts to a stuffy CPA. I’ve met bookkeepers who work exclusively with interior designers and even help them when it comes to pricing their work.
Today we have online programs specifically designed to manage the tricky business of interior design, with project management features and, more important, invoicing and bookkeeping.
See how the new Ivy app can help you invoice clients and track your work
Remember, no matter which task you’re outsourcing, it’s important to build your industry relationships with like-minded people who agree you’ll give each other work, positive references and equal focus on building a profitable business.
This content contains only general information and guidance and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your area or business, consult with a qualified professional.
Have a question for Chelsea? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Chelsea Coryell or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
More on Houzz
How Many Clients Can I Handle?
How Do I Set My Pricing Structure?
How to Set Better Business Goals for the Coming Year
This content contains only general information and guidance and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your area or business, consult with a qualified professional.
Have a question for Chelsea? Email it to editor@houzz.com, Attention: Chelsea Coryell or post your question in the Comments. It could be featured in a future column.
More on Houzz
How Many Clients Can I Handle?
How Do I Set My Pricing Structure?
How to Set Better Business Goals for the Coming Year
These people are going to be your teammates and partners — and ultimately help you grow your business into a moneymaking machine. They’ll become a reflection of your business, so choose them wisely!
You need experienced tradespeople with a vast knowledge of their profession. They can help you overcome a multitude of obstacles, thus preventing expensive mistakes. Good team members make it look easy and make you look good.
Look on Houzz and ask around town to get a few people lined up to interview. It’s important that their work measure up to your standards and that they seem like someone you’d like to work with.