Mostly needing to vent. But, check this out because I am interested in other perspectives.
(Also, there was a similar post a little while back. More survey oriented, about adding cert's after the fact (outside of the scope) not too long ago.)
Prospective new client. Engineering only (sorry in advance) as they had engaged another surveyor (I am dual licensed) a couple of years ago for boundary/ topo.
I am a recently up and running, onemanshow and I know they are talking to another engineer.
Client in a nutshell: here's what we want. how much?
In my locale, we can do all our design and permitting and let the client go to construction. Obviously, there is a fee for this.
But for water, sewer, stormwater, the job isn't really done until sealed, post-construction certifications of compliance are provided to the regulators.
So, I can scope it/ price it without including cert's and I loook nice and affordable. Then, fight it out afterward for additional dollars on the certs.
Or, I can fully scope it/ price it and lose the job because other offices will leave these items out, appearing more affordable.
I need work. But, I chose not to go the incomplete route.
Not sure what I'm looking for from the forum... as I said, just kinda need to voice it.
I would provide a two part proposal. The fee for the pre-construction work and a fee for the post-construction work. This way the client can compare apples to apples and you are covered for the post-construction work.
Personally, I would tend to exclude the post-construction certs, but mention in the proposal that you will be available for that work at a negotiated rate. The wisest contractors, of course, would look at the long-term overall value and cost of your professional services. But, human nature as it is, many will look at the up-front costs and sort out the other stuff later.
This concept has served me well on the surveying side, as I've often found that when clients find they like the initial fixed-fee work, the remainder of the work comes in at time and materials. Or, pretty informally, "Hey, before you come on site for those post-construction certs, can you give me an estimate for the bean-counters?", at which point you are not competing with anyone else for price.
Generally speaking, ditto the other guys. Give them the bid for exactly what they asked for but make it clear to them that it doesn't include other costs that will need to be done at a future time. (whether you break it up into two proposals, or just inform them).
If you are advising them that there is more to the costs, they might even appreciate that in advance. I don't know about in engineering, but I suspect that it is cheaper for them to have the same company do the whole project than to break it between two different firms. In surveying, I virtually need to redo all of someone else's work before I can stamp to my additional work.
I appreciate the responses. If that one tanks (had already sent it out "all inclusive"), I'll adapt and overcome on the next one. Just tough for me not to consider everything when I know that shoe's gonna drop...
Stay easy, y'all. Later,
This place rocks.
Options, provide the client with at least three and most of the time they will go middle of the road. Throw another option out the beyond the scope that is required!
