Dear Readers:
Last week, many of you requested that I post one of the previous estimates/proposals I put together for a client. In my wish to honor the confidentiality agreement made with each client, I cannot do that. What I can do is give you a detailed description of what to include in your proposals in the hope that it will assist you in your business interactions with your client. Though my company runs a full service business (planning, production, design, etc.), we mainly do event design and planning. Today, I will profile the design portion.
Estimate/Proposal
Client Information: This is not the time to play with shorthand. Make sure to include everything in detail. You want to not only have the name, address, email and event location and time, but also the number of guests anticipated.
Itemized Goods
We tend to design and execute our own flowers. It is for this reason that we give a detailed itemization of all of the floral goods.
Example:
Bridal Bouquet
20 Tall Center Pieces
4 Large Arrangements
Floral Chandelier for Ceiling
Suggestions:
I tend to use ranges for these sections.
If you spend $100 in flowers and labor, I would suggest you charge $200.
Hard Goods
Example:
20 Table Cloths
200 Chair Covers
100 Votive Candles
Suggestions:
Depending on uniqueness, you might be able to mark these items up a certain percentage.
Additional Design Services
Example:
Draping the Ballroom or Tent
Creating The Dance Floor Design
Lighting
Suggestions:
These services will most likely be provided by outside vendors. That said, you may want to charge a managing fee since you are meeting with these vendors many times to execute your designs.
Design Fee:
It took us a while to be able to charge this fee as it has nothing to do with the actual hard goods of the events. Once explained, a lot of clients understand that we spend a lot of time designing, drafting, creating floor plans, and creating presentations.
Transportation:
Depending on the job, you are always going to and from the event space. This does not take into account the driver and vehicle rentals. This fee should be a non-negotiable.
Assistance for Installations:
Sometimes you need additional hands to get the job done. Give your client the cost for extra hands and any food you’ll need to feed the crew (depends on set-up times).
Breakdown Costs
It can take hours to break down an event and leave the venue in an impeccable state. You will need to ensure you include this cost in your estimate.
Applicable Takes
This is also a non-negotiable.
Please understand that this is simply a general guide directed at helping you understand how we create an estimate at Preston Bailey Designs.
Note: It is crucial that you meet with your clients one-on-one to explain this estimate in detail. Also, this is not the planning contract. That is an entirely different contract that we will discuss at a later date.
Any questions? Any comments?
Blessings,
Preston
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)
Categories: Advice for artists, Budgeting, Celebrity wedding planner, Event Budgeting, Event Estimates, event planning advice, event planning tips, Inspirational Artist Advice, Inspirational Event Career Advice, Inspirational Event Designer Advice, Inspirational Wedding Designer Advice, Inspirational Wedding Planner Advice, NY wedding designer, Preston Bailey, preston bailey advice, preston bailey blog, Preston Bailey Bridal Blog, preston bailey brides, Preston Bailey Inspiration, Preston Bailey Tips, Top Event Designer, Top event planner, Top Event Planner NYC, Top NY Event designer, top ny wedding planner, Top Wedding Blogs, Top Wedding Planner, Wedding Budgeting, Wedding Estimates, wedding ideas, Writing an Estimate