Archive through November 10, 2007

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Author Message Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 452 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 03:50 pm:    Its late on a Friday, so I may not receive much response, but I am curious how many specwriters or spec writing firms receive a Retainer prior to starting a project? Julie Brown Senior Member Username: jkbrown Post Number: 13 Registered: 06-2004 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 04:25 pm:    For new clients I do require a retainer. I have not had any complaints. If they do complain you don't want to work for them anyway. You will never be paid. I am finding that some are asking right up front if I need a retainer deposit. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 453 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 04:39 pm:    Julie, the reason for my query is that supposedly I just lost a large project because I asked for a retainer and refused to start work for a new client because of this policy - it blew me away, so I thought I'd ask my fellow spec writers what they are doing. Glad to hear your clients are on board. Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 567 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 04:57 pm:    I have a retainer paragraph in my standard proposal form for first-time clients, but I usually delete it except under one of two conditions. The first condition is my level of trust with a potential client based on my first impression when I meet or speak with them for the first time. The second condition is if I received a "warning" from other consultants about the client. Julie Brown Senior Member Username: jkbrown Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2004 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 05:14 pm:    Jerome, That is too bad that happened to you. Not very professional. But, as you know, there are plenty of people out there that undercut the fees and are willing to work for nothing. There is nothing that says you would have been paid, or that the other guy will be paid. Stick to your policy and instincts. Tomas Mejia, CCS, CCCA, LEED Senior Member Username: tmejia Post Number: 38 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 05:24 pm:    I also request a retainer from new clients. If I lost a client based on my asking for a retainer, I would consider that a blessing in disguise. That to me is a flag of possible problems later on. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 935 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 05:32 pm:    What percentage of your total fee to you ask for as a retainer? Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 454 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 05:38 pm:    David - I usually ask for 35-40%, but it also depends on the time frame, usually I ask for 50% in order to produce a Draft Set, so the retainer and 2nd payment equals 50% of the fee. Our Draft Sets are usually equal to 60% of the work. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 455 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 11:40 pm:    Tommy, thanks for your response. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 62 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 02:23 pm:    WOW! I have never asked my clients for a retainer...I can not afford to lose a client either if they say they will not pay one...my hospital bills are high! Is there a Retainer clause you add into your agreement? Jo Drummond Senior Member Username: jo_drummond_fcsi Post Number: 11 Registered: 06-2007 Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 05:56 pm:    I ask for a retainer for new clients, and as others have said, if they balk at a retainer, I probably don't want to work for them. I usually don't have any trouble getting it. I usually ask for 15 to 20 percent, and credit it back to the client when I bill 95%. Thus I stay ahead of them most of the project. After the first project, I don't ask for it. Sometimes the client who has recently paid a retainer asks if I want one on the second project, so I get a free "brownie point" by saying "No thanks, I don't need it this time".