Have you ever experienced a client misunderstanding, scope creep, or project delays that left you frustrated and underpaid? What if you had an ironclad design agreement that safeguarded your business and profits, while giving your clients clarity and confidence? Many designers are operating with incomplete contracts, and it’s costing them time, money, and peace of mind. A comprehensive design agreement can protect you from these common pitfalls and set the stage for a smooth, successful project.

In this episode, I walk you through creating the perfect design agreement, clause by clause. You’ll learn which clauses are essential for protecting your practice, your profits, and your peace of mind. I’ll explain how to include clauses that set clear expectations around project timelines, scope of work, and fees. I also share why every agreement needs an expiration date, how to avoid scope creep, and the importance of a cancellation policy. This episode is packed with insights to help you confidently manage your design projects with professionalism and ease.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

- (02:15) How your agreement protects your profits and peace of mind
- (06:49) The need for an expiration date in your agreement
- (07:51) Avoiding “chase mode” with follow-up and expiration clauses
- (08:30) Clause-by-clause breakdown of the perfect design agreement
- (11:17) Setting timelines and managing project delays
- (12:47) The importance of milestones
- (15:00) How to outline service fees and avoid surprises
- (19:58) Detailing the late payment penalties
- (22:31) What is procurement management
- (38:56) Protecting your design intellectual property

MENTIONED:

The Right Design Agreement

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you dealing with client misunderstandings, scope creep, or unpaid work? What if a simple design agreement could protect your profits while setting clear client expectations? Many designers are working with incomplete agreements, leaving them vulnerable to disputes and unpaid fees. The right agreement can transform your business, ensuring you get paid for your time, avoid confusion, and build client trust.

In this episode, I explain why every designer needs a strong design agreement and how it can safeguard your profits, streamline communication, and prevent scope creep. I share real-world examples of how my clients have used these agreements to protect their bottom line and improve client relationships. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, I’ll walk you through each clause your agreement needs, highlighting which ones are essential and which are optional.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

- (01:49) Why every designer needs a strong design agreement
- (04:36) Making your agreement more inviting with tools
- (07:05) How a flexible, customizable agreement speeds up client acceptance
- (09:52) Being protected is everything
- (13:34) Your agreement gets you paid for the work you do
- (16:51) Setting communication boundaries in your agreement
- (20:43) How your agreement preserves your peace of mind
- (27:06) Safeguard your practice
- (34:43) The importance of walking the clients through the agreement
- (36:40) Make your agreement a marketing tool

MENTIONED:

The Right Design Agreement

Canva

Proposify

Dubsado

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you tired of doing unpaid work for clients? Do you create preliminary plans, gather estimates, and offer advice, all without compensation? What if you could get paid for that upfront work? Most designers don’t realize they can (and should) charge for the early stages of a project. A Feasibility Package ensures you’re paid while helping clients understand their project’s scope and costs. Imagine no longer giving away your expertise for free and instead getting paid for the valuable work you're already doing.

In this episode, I explain how you can implement a Feasibility Package in your design business to get paid for your time and expertise. I dive into the structure of the package, what it should include, and how to price it effectively. You’ll also learn how this package can help you manage client expectations, build trust, and give you an early opportunity to assess whether a client is the right fit for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

- (02:00) – What is a feasibility package and when to use it?

- (03:17) – Pricing guidelines for feasibility packages

- (04:14) – What’s included in the package

- (06:06) – Importance of trades days and package fees

- (08:39) – Repurposing past work for efficiency

- (10:07) – Advising clients on contingency costs

- (15:27) – How to introduce the feasibility package to clients

- (19:38) – Using the feasibility package to qualify clients

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.