10:37am Jan 8, 2001 PST (#1 of
6)
We have a dilemma...
We have a dilemma here at work. We are not sure when to have the
Account Supervisors send the estimate to the client for approval.
Should it be done when the job is opened or should it be after
the start up meeting or somewhere else? We are having the problem
because people are starting work without a signed estimate. Any
suggestions.
Thank You.
Ed Miller
Grafica
10:37am
Jan 8, 2001 PST (#2 of
6)
Our SOP is as follows:
1. Try to get a budget from the client
before you begin to work so creativeknows whether they're concepting
a volkswagon or cadillac.
2. As soon as concept and layout are
approved, submit an estimate BEFOREany more work is done.
3. Once
the estimate is signed, continue work.Of course, it doesn't always
happen this way. And a lot depends on whetheryou're billing time
on the job. If you are, then the client needs tounderstand that
a certain amount of money (in time) is going to be expendedbefore
they even approve a concept. And creative needs to concept tobudget.
On big jobs or campaigns where I'm billing time, we open a"concepting only" job. Then, when the
concept is approved, we open anotherjob(s) and produce an estimate.
I try to bill the concepting job as aseparate job outside the budget.Every
job is different, though, and the above procedure is an "ideal".We've
produced and shipped jobs without a signed estimate due to timeconstraints.
However, we always produce the estimate and get it signedbefore
we bill a job.And change orders are extremely important. Every
time the job changes fromthe original parameters, we produce a
change order and get it signed.
Hope this helps.
Mary McMurtrey
Just Partners
10:38am
Jan 8, 2001 PST (#3 of
6)
We don't estimate until...
We don't estimate until there is a concept and/or copy that the
client hasapproved (the estimate is usually presented with theconcept/copy/storyboards/etc),
otherwise we wouldn't be able to generate anaccurate estimate.
If you estimate prior to this, you run the risk of costschanging
(# of talent/studio time/photography vs stock/etc) and the clientnot
buying off on the changes unless they made them.
Deborah Houston
Controller
Bradshaw Advertising
10:45am
Jan 8, 2001 PST (#4 of
6)
As soon as work or budgets...
As soon as work or budgets are approved by the client we proceed
to preparethe estimates and submit them for approval.We do not
start any work unless we have the estimate signed. It is veryeasy
for the client to change its mind, and if you started work before
youreceived the written approval you may be stock with incurred
costs, as theywere not approved.
Laura Noble
12:09pm
Jan 8, 2001 PST (#5 of
6)
We do the estimate after...
We do the estimate after we have received concept approval. Once
theestimate is approved by the client, we move on to other stages
(where costsare incurred: photography, illustration, engraving,
etc....) of the job.If a cost range is needed sooner, we do a ballpark.Hope
this helps.
Ashley Delp
Just Partners
12:10pm
Jan 8, 2001 PST (#6 of
6)
That one's simple...
That one's simple. I don't start a job without a signed estimate.
Any staff of mine who decides to ignore this gets a sound lecture
and awarning.
Sebbastian Ogden
Quantum Communications
Kingston, Jamaica
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