[kslizzy]

I work a little in-between the two options you first listed.

Client comes in to discuss plan and ideas, I show types of drawings I will produce. Once we agree to begin, I'll work through schematic design by the hour ($105/hr.) By only working with their descriptions and magazine cutouts there is no way we're going to get it right the first time and once we get something on paper the owner may want to adjust or change, we can't foresee those changes. We do the best we can but there are always changes.

Once we all agree on the floor plan and front elevation we start construction drawings. Construction drawings are completed based on finished s.f. of the home. I'll do 'builder' sets for long time clients for $2.25 / s.f. and full custom homes for $3.25 / s.f. Obviously there will be more details involved with the custom and less with the builder set. Sometimes I'll work somewhere between those numbers if the owner has a contractor on board early, then we can work through construction details before hand.

If, after CD's have begun, there are significant changes then we bill accordingly. If it's minor we can usually absorb it, but if they change something big and it domino's through the whole set of drawings then they're paying for it.

Hope that helps.

Kris