View Full Version : Thinking of working for yourself? Tips from a guy that's been there
So you want to work for yourself? Take these tips to heart or end up out on the street.
1.Don’t give your work away. It’s a tempting thing to do. A developer comes to you with a juicy project that he says is ready to go. All that he needs is a design and a few “fancy” images to sell the project. You agree to the work with the expectation that you will be compensated when the project begins moving ahead. More often than not developer projects die on the vine. The outcome, you’ve spent 80 hours of your valuable time working on a project and you have nothing to show for it except the renderings. Remember you have to make money. It’s what pays your rent, health insurance, employees, buys the groceries and keeps your spouse from murdering you.
2.Market, Market, Market, and when you have a few spare minutes; do some more marketing. This is no joke. If you’re serious about getting work, staying afloat, and keeping the lights on you need to be spending the majority of your time marketing your business. This includes cold calls, direct mailers, emails, knocking down doors and networking (see more below). If you’re not spending 60-70% of your day marketing than you may not make it. Get those wall sections done at 9pm instead of watching the tube.
3.Network like MAD!!! You need to attend every networking opportunity, every gallery opening, every business association meeting, everything you can with one exception. Don’t waste your time networking with other architects!! Time spent networking with your peers is time not spent networking with future clients!! You need to meet the people that will bring you projects. Make time to network. As dreadful as it can be. You must do it! Again, if you’re spending time hanging out with other Architects than you’re only getting to know your future co-workers. They aren’t going to give you any work and you don’t need awards and accolades (although nice). You need work and you need it bad.
4.Don’t go it alone. You need a partner. Somebody not like in you. Some one that fills out your weakness and for whom you fill their weaknesses. As mush as we like to think so, we can’t do it all. There is something you’re bad at.
5.Go cheap. Your plotter should be used. Your equipment should be bare bones. You should be working out of your basement. Don’t spend a lot of money. All you need are a few key pieces of software, a few desks made from doors and some used chairs. Whatever you do don’t sign a multi-year lease on some great office space even if the rent is great. You don’t know where you’re going to be in three years. Take advantage of every free conference room, every meeting in a coffee shop, and wait as long as you can before incurring the added expense of an office.
6.Don’t buy that Mercedes. Start out with some money. You need money to live on. Don’t think you’re going to open your doors and the cash is just going to roll in. It’s not. You will have dry spells. You will have periods when you don’t have paying work. It’s important that you have the capital to get through these times. It’s not going to be easy for the first years. Don’t spend money on anything other than necessities. That goes for both your business and personal life.
I hope these comments are helpful. I will add a few more here there as I can.
Nice tips, thanks. Going it out on my own (or with a friend) is always in the back of my mind.
Brian,
thank you for the sage advice..
I would add...
8. Never promise anything, particularly something you cant deliver.
9. Don't rely on one client Spread your wings : take on smaller /faster jobs (these help pay the bills)
kwistenbiebel
20-09-2006, 11:24
I must agree on a lot of these statements, particularly point 4
"4.Don’t go it alone. You need a partner. Somebody not like in you. Some one that fills out your weakness and for whom you fill their weaknesses. As mush as we like to think so, we can’t do it all. There is something you’re bad at."
Working alone is a pain in the *ss.
I feel the need for having a collegue but up until now i haven't found one that shares the same viewpoints (which is primordial) .
I did some projects in collaboration with other architects but it is hard to find a permanent colleague.
Working alone will create frustrations one time or another. Having the luxury of being able to share ideas and difficulties sure can make life easier.
Pedro Barradas
20-09-2006, 13:20
You are all right, and done some of those mistakes myself... (1, 2, 3 and 5) ... where is 7? :D
But point 5, didn´t start with the leasing for the installations... mother in law house office was ok, for 3 years... after growing up, we moved to our actual installations, with good rent, but we had to renew the installations... yes we have all the big machines.... (self sustainable, so we are far away from cities...)
:cheers:
Point 7. was...
7. Get married with a rich girl :D (just kiddin')
Nick Fox
20-09-2006, 13:37
Point 7. was...
7. Get married with a rich girl :D (just kiddin')
This is the best piece of advice yet! Damn wish you'd been around 20 odd years ago to tell me that Michel! hehe
Pedro Barradas
20-09-2006, 13:45
Point 7. was...
7. Get married with a rich girl :D (just kiddin')
Oh.... I missed that too... danm... :mad:
;)
4.Don’t go it alone. You need a partner. Somebody not like in you. Some one that fills out your weakness and for whom you fill their weaknesses. As mush as we like to think so, we can’t do it all. There is something you’re bad at.
[
I agree with all you say apart from the this one. To me the whole point of going alone is to have total control. A parnership brings with it some, although undoubtedly not all, of the annoyances of working for somebody else. Ask yourself why you are going out on your own in the first place?
We all have weakness but if you can manage it, fill those gaps by hiring not partnering. I know hiring is an expensive and scary thing to do but you will have to do it one day, partnership or not. Hiring staff should be your first and most important goal in setting up on your own. It wil probably mean you will have to go it totally alone for a couple of years but in the long run it is, to my mind, the best solution. Getting out of a partnership that has gone wrong is like getting out of a marriage. Messy, expensive and soul destroying.
7. Get married with a rich, hot girl, that likes beer! Just missed.
gaffaman
20-09-2006, 15:40
Timely advice. This is one of those parts of the profession they don't teach in school but is absolutely essential to making it in the real world. Thanks.
I didn't marry my wife for the money. She didn't marry me for the money either. :D :D
I agree with all you say apart from the this one. To me the whole point of going alone is to have total control. A parnership brings with it some, although undoubtedly not all, of the annoyances of working for somebody else. Ask yourself why you are going out on your own in the first place?
We all have weakness but if you can manage it, fill those gaps by hiring not partnering. I know hiring is an expensive and scary thing to do but you will have to do it one day, partnership or not. Hiring staff should be your first and most important goal in setting up on your own. It wil probably mean you will have to go it totally alone for a couple of years but in the long run it is, to my mind, the best solution. Getting out of a partnership that has gone wrong is like getting out of a marriage. Messy, expensive and soul destroying.
I tend to agree with papanix Partnerships can be messy & the strains placed on you in architecture can be immense & it is then you find the weaknesses in the relationship ~ what is useful is to have someone you can bounce ideas off & this can be done with a good sidekick who is not a partner. Forums like this can help but are not as useful as a sidekick
gaffaman
20-09-2006, 16:38
I might add another item:
X. Make your clients happy with your work and your service.
Treat them with respect. That means patiently and cheerfully answering what seem like dumb ignorant questions and holding their hands through the construction process. Make them feel like their project is important. And it is, because when you're just starting out, every project is important.
Happy clients will gladly tell other potential clients all about you.
And so will angry disgruntled clients. :no no no:
imasayer
20-09-2006, 17:07
Thanks for all the advice! I hope to use it sooner than later. I married another architect, which has lead to poverty now, but I hope in the future we can be assets to eachother in business.
7. Get liability insurance for omissions and errors. Nothing is perfect.
It is quite ironic that it was omitted.
I might disagree with the betrothels as a form of job security. Refer to item 4 and subsequent comments.
Xl. Remember: You can have it done well, quickly, or cheaply, but you can only pick two.
This later item may be more of an axiom than actual advice.
Brian - I'm sorry to hear the unfortunate news...I'm an intern architect here in Milwaukee and I admired a lot of your work I saw here and on your website. May I ask what your plans are now? I'm curious to hear if you are planning on working for another local firm, considering another line of work, etc... Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do and thanks for the words of wisdom :)
Andrew B
21-09-2006, 04:56
Adding to the marketing category a bit. We started placing company signage on job sites. This has brought us a few clients. It is amazing how such a simple gesture like this can be great for bringing in new work.
i don't agree partially with the bit about 'Go Cheap'
5.Go cheap. Your plotter should be used. Your equipment should be bare bones. You should be working out of your basement. Don’t spend a lot of money. All you need are a few key pieces of software, a few desks made from doors and some used chairs. Whatever you do don’t sign a multi-year lease on some great office space even if the rent is great. You don’t know where you’re going to be in three years. Take advantage of every free conference room, every meeting in a coffee shop, and wait as long as you can before incurring the added expense of an office.
I guess i agree with it, but the problem is that it also could mislead the fact that you should also 'look the part'.
Clients/potential clients don't really like to think you are dirt broke, reflecting on your business abilities. Sometimes investing in a 'presentable front', be it an office space (you don't have to sign up a hugh lease, just a respectable looking, cost effective space), clothes you wear, webpage or just the general air of confidence about you is a good investment.
i don't agree partially with the bit about 'Go Cheap'
I guess i agree with it, but the problem is that it also could mislead the fact that you should also 'look the part'.
Clients/potential clients don't really like to think you are dirt broke, reflecting on your business abilities. Sometimes investing in a 'presentable front', be it an office space (you don't have to sign up a hugh lease, just a respectable looking, cost effective space), clothes you wear, webpage or just the general air of confidence about you is a good investment.
I do agree with you. I just would advise prospective entrepreneurs to be very very wise about their spending. You can easily invest in a "presentable front" on the cheap. There's no reason to spend $10,000 when you can spend $100. You'll be regretting those new Hermann Miller workstations when you're eating canned soup every night.
ewagner (and the rest that are interested)- In a move that stunned a few of my friends, I took a position in the corporate world and not an architecture firm. I'm more of a design manager now. Overseeing the work of outside architects. I'm enjoying leaving work at 5pm, not being stressed out and oh yeah, actually making money. Working outside of the architecture community has really opened my eyes to how underpaid our profession is.
beratulang
22-09-2006, 03:20
brian, would you mind telling what exactly is a designer manager? do you manage design aspects of a project, or the designers themselves?
Brian, I'm interested in hearing what you are doing now as well. It seems like in the US we are constantly losing the good ones that have the potential to change the profession here for the better. Sad really, it is so very difficult to keep your principles in the land of the quick money developers; That don't think you are worth the pennies that so rarely seem to bestow. Best of luck though Brian and are you hiring?
I'm now working for a major North American retailer managing the implementation of our prototypical design and subsequent site specific tweaks and our outside architects. The prototype is pretty contemporary and it's a great place to work. I'm enjoying a significant reduction in stress and a significant increase in pay. I'm also returning to school to get an MBA. As much as I love architecture I just can't go on working my ass off for free and being an emotional wreck about my designs. As i've said before, there's more to life than money but, it sure helps! Maybe someday I'll return but, I'll be much wiser and debt free....
I guess i agree with it, but the problem is that it also could mislead the fact that you should also 'look the part'.
"Fake it 'til you make it"....definitely an adage to live by....;)
msalvarez
23-09-2006, 18:49
I'm now working for a major North American retailer managing the implementation of our prototypical design and subsequent site specific tweaks and our outside architects. The prototype is pretty contemporary and it's a great place to work. I'm enjoying a significant reduction in stress and a significant increase in pay. I'm also returning to school to get an MBA. As much as I love architecture I just can't go on working my ass off for free and being an emotional wreck about my designs. As i've said before, there's more to life than money but, it sure helps! Maybe someday I'll return but, I'll be much wiser and debt free....
(Some) Architects can put in so much time and dedication to a project that it saddens me to realize how little reward there can be (monetarily).
I do, however, congratulate u in getting into a job thats better in many ways. Good luck with that MBA!
lavardera
23-09-2006, 22:21
When you start a practice it is a like a cart. You must push the cart every day, every moment of every day, or it goes no where. If you are diligent and push the cart every day then after 3 or 5 years it will begin to roll, just a little bit, on its own. You must still push if you want it to gain momentum, which is good, but it also makes it very difficult to change direction. The cart once rolling wants to keep rolling in the direction you have pushed it. Because if you change direction then, surprise, you have to push the cart again every day, to try to gain again some momentum. And if you are successful in getting the cart rolling on its own then it can be just as difficult to keep it moving towards your goals as it tends to bump along and easily goes astray. But the faster the cart rolls the more difficult it is to control well.
So don't just sit there - get out and push.
Push it push it... push it real gooood :D
PS: Cart is much easier to push when not loaded too much...
So don't just sit there - get out and push.
This is the best advice I have heard in years.
When you start a practice it is a like a cart. You must push the cart every day, every moment of every day, or it goes no where. If you are diligent and push the cart every day then after 3 or 5 years it will begin to roll, just a little bit, on its own. You must still push if you want it to gain momentum, which is good, but it also makes it very difficult to change direction. The cart once rolling wants to keep rolling in the direction you have pushed it. Because if you change direction then, surprise, you have to push the cart again every day, to try to gain again some momentum. And if you are successful in getting the cart rolling on its own then it can be just as difficult to keep it moving towards your goals as it tends to bump along and easily goes astray. But the faster the cart rolls the more difficult it is to control well.
So don't just sit there - get out and push.
well said. :rolleyes:
Thank you so much for this thread.
I really appreciate it to get some information from senior architects from oversees.
As it seems the situation is pretty much the same no matter where you are.
I just came back from a year in New Zealand where I was working for a small office. Even though that the architect I was working for was already well established, I realized how hard it is to earn money in the construction business.
Nevertheless I had a good time there and overall I enjoyed my work.
Money is not everything as all architects know.
But I am about to finish university now (equivalent to a master degree) and I was thinking about going to Dubai for some serious work there.
But after reading these posts I don't know if it's worth pushing the cart at all.
Maybe it is a better option to go for other alternatives as soon as possible.
jparchitectus
26-09-2006, 01:10
9. Don't rely on one client Spread your wings : take on smaller /faster jobs (these help pay the bills)
Huge misconception - Totally Disagree. Clients believe the same thing...that this small project won't take as long as a new house.
FALSE- Small projects take as long and additions to existing not only take longer but cost more
FALSE- Small projects take as long and additions to existing not only take longer but cost more
I agree with this wholeheartedly. You may need to take smaller projects to get the ball rolling but avoid it if you can. If you get bogged down with a difficult client or bad contractor on a small project it will be a hell of a burden on your time with limited return. But this is not a black and white decision. Its a matter of weighing the job up. If the job is small but will look great in your portfolio then it may be worth taking it on but never ever EVER take on small jobs just for the money. Starve for awhile instead. Start as you mean to go on. If you take on small, uninteresting jobs which don't allow you to show off how good you are then you may find yourself stuck in that market sector for longer than you like. Perception is reality.
jparchitectus
26-09-2006, 20:53
I agree with this wholeheartedly. You may need to take smaller projects to get the ball rolling but avoid it if you can. If you get bogged down with a difficult client or bad contractor on a small project it will be a hell of a burden on your time with limited return. But this is not a black and white decision. Its a matter of weighing the job up. If the job is small but will look great in your portfolio then it may be worth taking it on but never ever EVER take on small jobs just for the money. Starve for awhile instead. Start as you mean to go on. If you take on small, uninteresting jobs which don't allow you to show off how good you are then you may find yourself stuck in that market sector for longer than you like. Perception is reality.
Totally right...next thing you know you are the deck and garage guy :puke:
WilsonMetry
27-09-2006, 01:32
I agree with this wholeheartedly. You may need to take smaller projects to get the ball rolling but avoid it if you can. If you get bogged down with a difficult client or bad contractor on a small project it will be a hell of a burden on your time with limited return. But this is not a black and white decision. Its a matter of weighing the job up. If the job is small but will look great in your portfolio then it may be worth taking it on but never ever EVER take on small jobs just for the money. Starve for awhile instead. Start as you mean to go on. If you take on small, uninteresting jobs which don't allow you to show off how good you are then you may find yourself stuck in that market sector for longer than you like. Perception is reality.
Totally right...next thing you know you are the deck and garage guy :puke:
Totally agree, and believe me, it is much harder to turn that perception around than to avoid it in the first place.:bang head
By the way, I must say that all the axioms posted are just that. They have been proved time and time again. Take heed.
Just to remind you guys that, as I understand it, this thread was started by someone who suffered as result of a client not honouring his debt
Anyone who starves just goes hungry & personally I like to eat once in a while
which reminds me ... anyone have good advice on debt recovery ??
oh yeah recovery..
My suggestion is too have a very nice, terse letter which states you provided services in good faith of payement and request the same in return..
I have found that adding fees only makes it all worse.
We personally try to establish set payment schedules based on the work and stick to them. If we miss a deadline they miss a payment. We establish the amounts and dates within the contract. This binds our work to their payments. This way everyone knows what is due and how much is to be paid at that milestone. The payments usually are due a week- 10 days after a major deadline. This gives room for dispute resolution of the milestones actual completion. This is not much different than how contractors are paid with a draw schedule.
I also suggest that it will serve any and all to understand your rights in your area to issue a" stop work " order, attach a mechanical lien to a property, as well as issue a " cease and desist " letter for use of the drawings ( as long as they were established in the contract as your property until paid in full or the copyright transfered.)
These latter three methods are fairly drastic measures usually taken after 90 days, with no payments or arrangements. If any one is using an AIA standard contract. there are even more ways to resolve laggard payments .. all of which take a lot longer than the three aforementioned 'attention grabing" methods.
I have seen people ask their kids to remind the offending party's kids to tell their parents to pay their bills. ( not recommended) ..
I have myself have sent humorous letters on kids stationary or a greeting card from "Dr. Ned Payne" fictitious bill collector and Knee surgeon. "He breaks only what he can fix" asking for payment. It is cute but gets the point across without severing the relationship.;)
nicholas
03-10-2006, 03:05
Just to remind you guys that, as I understand it, this thread was started by someone who suffered as result of a client not honouring his debt
Anyone who starves just goes hungry & personally I like to eat once in a while
which reminds me ... anyone have good advice on debt recovery ??
Charge enough upfront so that the final payment does not have a great impact if not honoured; also engages the client with full commitment from the begining. A clients' reluctance to commit is a strong sign...
msalvarez
03-10-2006, 06:07
Just to remind you guys that, as I understand it, this thread was started by someone who suffered as result of a client not honouring his debt
Anyone who starves just goes hungry & personally I like to eat once in a while
which reminds me ... anyone have good advice on debt recovery ??
I know a guy who carries a big bat and and a .45 who can collect just about anything. lol.
Seriously, having worked several years in collections (mortgage and commercial loans) I know that private collectors more than willing to buy contracts in order to collect. Either they buy the contract from you OR they collect for a fee. Either way, you never get the full amount.
There is also small claims court.
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