Hi Amanda. I just recently had another meeting with a builder. He actually reached out to me. He said in his email, "As part of our system, I prefer to partner with an independent design team. Would you be against meeting for coffee to talk shop and explore merging our two processes to provide a seamless experience for the client?". I thought this was a brilliant way to introduce himself to new designers in town. I think you could use the same for your own business the other way around if you wanted to reach out to builders and meet them in your showroom or theirs. It's important to note they expect to be referred to your clients when they don't have a contractor as much as you expect them to refer you to potential leads. I also have a handout that I send to them that says "How Builders and Contractors Benefit from Partnering with *insert business name*" It simply just states how builders and interior designers see different sides of the client experience. The two roles of builder and interior designer are intertwined where one cannot exist without the other; from project planning to implementation. I'd be happy to share it with you. Remember to stress to them your value. How are you different from other designers in your area? Remind them that you both can co-exist without change orders, faster timelines, and increased execution. You can tell him (or her) that you prevent costly mistakes and your experience can help them through communication and do your best to make them look good while advocating for the client. Some designers just give builders a bad taste in their mouths because they don't have a process that they stick too. Show them you run a business and not a hobby and they will want to work with you. Do NOT ask for the homeowners number and info directly. If a contractor did that to me I would not be happy. It looks like you are trying to steal their clients.

I am Owner & Principal Designer

Hi Denise. I just don’t do it this way. I have a very specific process where I have them schedule an initial visit: not free. & then I tell them what to expect at the initial visit and simply tell them this isn’t a design meeting, however I might bring up some ideas to get their reaction, but that might not be what I end up presenting in the design presentation. This is simply a meeting for them to explain their design dilemma, getting to know their home and what they’re envisioning. I’ll take notes, photos, and measurements as we talk through ideas—kind of like brainstorming together. After this, I’ll take everything we’ve discussed and create a tailored design plan with recommendations, like paint colors, wall treatments, and updates for the kitchen or other spaces. That design plan will give you a clear direction, and from there, you can decide whether to implement it on your own or if you’d like my help sourcing or coordinating anything.