Professional practice for interior designers / Christine M. Piotrowski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Piotrowski, Christine M., 1947-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Interior decoration--Practice--United States--Management.

Interior decoration.

Design services--United States--Marketing.

Design services.

Interior decoration--Practice.

Management.

United States.

Marketing.

Physical Description:

xix, 653 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm

Edition:

Third edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Wiley, [2002]

Summary:

This essential sourcebook provides all of the information needed to establish and manage a productive, profitable interior design firm. Filled with savvy business and career advice, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Third Edition delivers updated and expanded coverage of the full range of legal, financial, management, marketing, administrative, and ethical issues faced by sole practitioners, firm principals, and managers.

This comprehensive reference lays out clear, practical guidelines on how to structure a contract and prevent legal problems; work with other designers, allied professionals, clients, and vendors; and calculate fees that are both fair and profitable.

Contents:

Part I An Introduction to the Profession of Interior Design 3

1. The Profession 5

Defining a Profession 6

History of the Profession 7

Divisions of the Profession 14

Educational Preparation 14

Professional Associations 17

NCIDQ Examination 22

Licensing and Title Acts 24

Continuing Education 26

2. Ethics 31

Ethics in the Business Environment 31

Professional Conduct 34

3. Personal Goal Setting 43

Goals 43

Risks in Goal Setting 44

A Personal Mission Statement 45

Setting Goals 46

Part II How to Establish an Interior Design Practice 51

4. Planning a New Interior Design Practice 53

What Is an Entrepreneur? 54

Advantages and Disadvantages of Business Ownership 55

Starting a New Design Practice 56

Defining the Business 59

The Business Plan 61

Writing the Business Plan 66

Control and Evaluation 67

5. Advice and Counsel 71

Attorney 71

Accountant 72

Banker 73

Insurance Advisers 77

Technical Consultants 79

Sources of Information and Assistance 80

6. Business Formations 83

Sole Proprietorship 83

Partnership 86

Corporation 88

Limited Liability Company 91

S Corporation 92

Professional Corporations 93

Joint Venture 93

7. Legal Filings 97

Federal Forms 97

Estimated Taxes for the Self-Employed 101

State Forms 101

Local Forms 103

Specialized Filings 104

Copyrights, Trademarks, and Patents 105

8. On Your Own 111

Working Alone 111

Business Location 113

Equipping the Office/Studio 117

Inventory Issues 119

Part III The Business of Interior Design 123

9. Business Organization and Management 125

Organization of the Interior Design Practice 125

The Stages of a Business 126

Organizational Structure Within the Office 128

Types of Business Organizations 129

Management 131

Functions of Management 132

10. The Planning Function 135

Importance of Planning 135

Kinds of Plans 137

Budgeting 141

Measuring Performance 143

11. Personnel Management 147

Job Classifications 147

Job Descriptions 151

The Performance Evaluation 154

The Employee Handbook 159

Compensation and Fringe Benefits 163

12. Legal Issues of Employment 169

Federal Laws Regulating Employment 170

The Agency Relationship 172

Employment at Will 174

Employment Contracts 176

Independent Contractors 180

Sexual Harassment 181

13. Legal Responsibilities 185

Criminal versus Tort Law 186

Negligence 186

Intentional Torts Against a Person 189

Intentional Torts Against Property 190

Codes Compliance 191

Plan Review Boards 193

14. Warranties and Product Liability 197

Warranties 197

Products Liability 201

Part IV Managing the Business's Finances 207

15. Financial Accounting 209

Accounting Methods: Accrual versus Cash Accounting 210

The Balance Sheet 211

The Income Statement 215

The Statement of Cash Flow 219

Accounting Records and Systems 220

Cash Management 224

Computer Applications 227

16. Financial Management 231

What Is Financial Management? 231

Financial Ratios and Percentages 232

Reporting Performance 235

Controlling Overhead 239

17. Determining Design Fees 243

The Billing Rate 243

Which, When, Why? 246

Methods for Setting Design Fees 248

Estimating Design Fees 257

Indirect Job Cost Factors 261

18. Preparing Design Contracts 265

Definition and Basic Elements of a Contract 265

Letter of Agreement or Contract? 269

Form of the Contract 269

Content Formalities 271

Developing the Design Contract 271

Interior Design Contracts: Content and Form 274

Performance 298

Termination by Agreement 300

19. Product Pricing Considerations 303

Pricing Terms 304

Discounts 306

Selling Prices 309

Deposits, Down Payments, and Retainers 311

Freight and FOB 312

Delivery and Installation Charges 313

Sales and Use Taxes 315

The Role of the Designer/Specifier 316

Federal Laws and Pricing Practices 319

20. The Sale of Goods and the Uniform Commercial Code 323

History 324

The Sales Contract 325

Statute of Frauds 331

Title 331

Risk 332

Sales on Approval 333

The Seller's Rights and Obligations 333

The Buyer's Rights and Obligations 334

Part V Marketing and Business Development 339

21. Marketing Interior Design Services 341

Target Marketing 342

Establishing a Niche 344

The Four Ps of Marketing 345

Marketing Analysis 346

The Marketing Plan 348

22. Promoting the Interior Design Practice 353

Public Relations 354

Publicity 354

Basic Promotional Tools 355

Referrals 363

Networking 364

Competitions 366

23. Advanced Promotional Tools 371

Publication 371

Direct Mail 377

Speaking at Seminars and Meetings 378

Premiums 379

Multimedia Presentations 379

Internet Marketing 380

Proposals 384

Advertising 387

24. Selling Your Services 395

What Is Selling? 395

Selling Services versus Products 396

Building Client Relationships 397

The Selling Process 398

Selling Techniques 403

25. Design Presentations 409

Marketing Presentations 409

Proposal Presentations 413

Project Presentations 415

Overcoming Objections 418

Closing Techniques 420

Follow-up 422

Negotiating 422

Other Guidelines for Making Presentations 424

26. Personal Power 429

Image

Nonverbal Cues 429

Well Suited 432

Body Language 434

Business Etiquette 436

Part VI Project Management 447

27. Project Management Techniques 449

What Is Project Management? 449

Phases of an Interior Design Project 450

Working Relationships 457

Project Schedules 458

Project Budgeting 462

Time Records 463

Time Management 467

Project Files or Job Books 470

Value Engineering 474

28. Working with Trade Sources 477

Manufacturers 477

Sales Representatives (or Reps) 478

Market Centers, Marts, and Showrooms 479

Local Showrooms 481

Retail Specialty Shops 481

Manufacturer's Dealers 481

Tradespeople and Craftspeople 482

Construction Contractors 482

Selecting Trade Sources 483

Technology and Trade Sources 485

29. Contract Documents and Specifications 489

Contract Documents 489

Specifications 492

Competitive Bidding 500

Modifications 513

Submittals 516

30. Contract Administration 519

Construction and Procurement Administration 519

Order Processing 522

Shipping and Freight 538

Expediting 540

31. Contract Administration: Delivery and Project Closeout 543

Delivery and Installation 543

Project Closeout 547

Postoccupancy and Follow-up 550

Part VII Careers 557

32. Career Options 559

Career Decisions 559

Residential Interior Design 561

Commercial Interior Design 562

Common Employment Options 565

Alternative Career Options 569

Preparing for Specialization in a Career 573

33. Getting the Next

or First

Job 577

Portfolios 577

Resumes 583

The Job Search 592

The Cover Letter 595

How Employers Review Resumes and Cover Letters 600

Interviews 602

Follow-up 608

The First Job 610

Making a Career Change 612.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0471384011

OCLC:

46321220