What are two types of common boards that are used for presentations?
1) Illustration boards (come in single and double thickness)
2) Mounting boards
What are some ways to present your floor plan on a presentation board?
1) Draw directly on the board (must be perfectly accurate)
2) Or draw floor plan on vellum paper and use "spray mount" to adhere it to the board.
What is a good scale to use on a 20"x24" board for a larger project?
1/2" scale would be appropriate.
What are interior designers most used scales for different sized projects?
For an entire house or apartment—¼-inch scale (or 1⁄8-inch scale for several apartments on one floor or a large home).
For a single room—½-inch scale or ¾-inch scale.
For a detail (for example, a bookcase)—1-inch scale or 3-inch scale (for detail of a molding
What are key budget points?
1) Your budget should be complete. List all the items and services that will have to be purchased to do the entire job.
2) Include labor and tips. Be aware of freight and delivery charges.
3) Doormen in many buildings are unionized and may not allow delivery people access if they’re not union members. Ask your client if there are specific rules for delivery for their building.
4) Make sure delivery is into the building and not curbside.
5) If purchases require storage before delivery, include the charge.
6) Include sales tax on purchases for states that require it.
7) Don’t leave out any significant items of cost since such omissions can only lead to headaches
What is the best way to handle commission and sales tax on a budget presentation?
Commission should be added to each individual line items vs a lump sum at the end to avoid a big number at the end.
Sales tax should be omitted on the budget.
How to handle accessories in budget?
Don't include it since it's highly personal, however, if they ask and want you to handle that, then expect 10% to be added to budget.
Besides Method A of staying within client's budget, what are methods B and C?
B: Recognize the budget is low for what the client really desires and know you and they can do better so you prepare a separate presentation for the higher budget.
Method C: Don't formally prepare a larger budget but find pieces of furniture etc that are more expensive but fit what they are looking for and present it to them along the way. Upgrading one item should snowball and make the other items upgraded too thus increasing the budget without them realizing it.
How to you close your presentation?
If they have accepted everything you discuss, you make an appointment to go shopping with the client on the spot, and exclaim how beautiful their space will look and how excited you are to complete the project for them. Thank them for their time and leave them with a presentation book.