We have a standard package that we give potential clients that includes a generic proposal with sub-systems broken out and price ranges assigned to each item. We discuss what is included in the low and high end price ranges during the initial "free" consultation. Then we estimate where their project will fall within that range and assign a design fee accordingly. We provide complete working documents and drawings for the fee, which is non-refundable.

Usually, when we price up a job the design fee is included in the labor cost. We show the customers our general design and leave them a written quote. But we wouldn't leave them the full plans unless they chose to hire us. In rare circumstances where the customer is a DIY type we would definitely charge the design fee. If the customer wants the plans to use for another company we would not do the the job and just lose the money put into the design.

Whether, you charge a design fee or include it in the total price doesn't matter. We wouldn't discount that time. Our time is too valuable to us to givie it away. Keep in mind, if you don't value your time no one else will!

If we go over on a job that we quoted then we eat that cost, to me that is our mistake for not pricing it accordingly. If the job takes us less time than we quoted we lessen the final bill to adjust for the lesser time.

Bob