The Designers Show by Chief Experts podcast

September 06, 2024 The Layout Pages in Chief Architect X16 - PART 2 - Designers Show #134

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this episode, Chief Experts Dan, John, Kevin, Rene and Robin dive into the essentials of managing client expectations, navigating budget discussions, and maximizing the potential of projects. Kevin shares valuable stories from his experience, including a case study where a $75,000 basement remodel transformed into a $3 million home expansion. Learn tips on using layout pages in Chief Architect, discussing fees upfront, and helping clients dream big—all while keeping their feet on the ground. If you're a designer looking to balance client vision with reality, this episode is for you!

Topics Covered:

0:00 - 1:29 | Introduction

The hosts, including Dan, Kevin, John, Renee, and Robin, introduce themselves. Light conversation about Robin being in Hawaii.

1:30 - 3:09 | Recap of Chief Architect Event

Discussion about the annual Chief Architect event, including highlights and a funny story about a muddy bike ride where two hosts crashed.

3:10 - 4:42 | Key Learning Takeaways

The group emphasizes the value of helping others and how teaching helps them learn more. They also share brief insights into what they learned during the event.

4:43 - 5:11 | Joke Break

A short, light-hearted joke: "Why did the general contractor stop making his own sandwiches? Because he liked working with his subcontractors."

5:12 - 6:35 | Main Topic: Layout Pages Overview

Dan shifts to the main topic of the session: Layout Pages in Chief Architect. He starts by explaining what layout pages are, how they work, and their significance for organizing architectural plans.

6:36 - 9:06 | Plan Views and Default Sets

A detailed explanation of how Plan Views and Default Sets work in Chief Architect. These tools help organize different views for printing on layout pages.

9:07 - 10:10 | Project Browser Overview

Introduction to the Project Browser tool in Chief Architect. Dan discusses the advantages of using it for project management and the future of cloud storage for plans and symbols.

10:11 - 13:46 | Layout Templates and Project Management

Dan walks through layout templates, explaining the basic elements like title pages and layout settings. He also explains how to manage blank pages, templates, and pre-titled layout pages.

13:47 - 17:59 | Managing Pages and Macros

Discussion about macros in layout pages and how to use them effectively. Dan shows how to manage page numbering and layout labels automatically using macros.

18:00 - 21:14 | Page Numbering and Duplicating Pages

The team discusses the different methods of page numbering and how to duplicate layout pages to avoid starting from scratch.

21:15 - 23:59 | Handling Callouts and Page Adjustments

Explanation of callouts and how they dynamically adjust to changes in page numbering. Dan provides an example of how callouts update automatically when page numbers change.

24:00 - 26:34 | Using Multiple Layout Templates

Demonstration of how to use different templates within the same layout file. Dan explains how to set up template pages for specific purposes like PDFs from surveys or engineers.

26:35 - 27:50 | Kevin’s Thoughts on Design Inspiration

Kevin shares his thoughts on the early stages of the design process, balancing client aspirations with reality, and inspiring clients to aim for their dream designs while managing realistic constraints.

28:00 - 30:30 | Managing Client Expectations

Kevin shares his experience with managing client expectations and emphasizes the importance of pre-qualifying clients and understanding their budget. He tells a story about a client who wanted an elaborate kitchen remodel but had unrealistic budget expectations.

30:31 - 33:00 | Discussing Budgets with Clients

Kevin discusses the discomfort that often arises when discussing budgets with clients and shares strategies for navigating these conversations, including using terms like “investment” instead of “budget.”

33:01 - 35:11 | Establishing Value for Your Time

Kevin explains how charging an initial consultation fee helps establish the value of your time. He highlights that once clients are willing to invest in that first step, they are more likely to proceed with the project.

35:12 - 39:00 | Case Study: Expanding a Client’s Vision

Kevin shares a case study of a project that started as a $75,000 basement remodel but ultimately turned into a $3 million expansion. He emphasizes the importance of helping clients see the full potential of their space.

39:01 - 40:10 | The Lesson: Don’t Underestimate Project Potential

Kevin wraps up by encouraging designers not to underestimate the potential of a project. He advises helping clients explore possibilities and guiding them through the process of expanding their vision.

40:11 - 41:30 | Hourly Rate Discussion

A question is posed to the group about whether designers should share their hourly rates upfront. The hosts agree that it’s important to be transparent about rates during initial phone conversations, though they don’t publish rates online.

41:31 - End | Closing Thoughts

The session concludes with a discussion about educating clients on the value of the design process and how different pricing structures don’t necessarily indicate differences in value.

Resources Mentioned:
- Visit Chief Experts Academy for detailed tutorials on Chief Architect
- Learn more about design coaching with Kevin and Judy at DesignBuildExperts.com

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