working for competing firms

[Chad Warner]

We do work for several firms in the area, two of which were shortlisted for the same project. We were pre-emptively asked by one firm to work on a presentation for the short list presentation, and at the same time asked NOT to perform any work for the other firm on the same project.

 

I am not particularly concerned about being asked not to work for the other firm, because that seems like the right thing to do. What I'm concerned about is the fact that if the firm we are doing the work for on the short list presentation is awarded the job, the other firm is going to be quite ticked off at us and could very likely not call us again. (it's a small city that has very competitive architects)

 

I'd like to hear any ones thoughts on this. I'm sure someone has gone through this before.

 

Thanks,

 

Chad

[Ernest Burden III]

I'm sure someone has gone through this before.

 

Yep. The simple way to deal with it is the first client to write a retainer check get the time, the other doesn't. You cannot be concerned how the other client will react. You can only work for one of them ethically, so once you're booked by one, you're booked.

 

Now, having to turn away work is a reason to think about asking for a larger fee from the first client, although the exact opposite is the oporational reality. If they ask for a lower fee consider contracting so that they double it if they win.

[Devin Johnston]

Personally I don't think one of your clients should be dictating to you who you can or can't accept work from; it puts you in an acquired position and could potentially cost you lots of money. How would your current client even know if you did do work for the other firm, again it all comes down to is it any of their business. This is all based on the belief that you don't have any standing agreement with any firm to do exclusive work with them.

[Fernando Lino]

I don't think that it is a problem to work with two firms for the same project...If you are professional as I assume you are...you shouldn't share information(working like doble agent)....you are providing renderings not design....if they dont win is because the design is not better than the other one asumming that they have the same quality presentation.

[rotten42]

Yep. The simple way to deal with it is the first client to write a retainer check get the time, the other doesn't. You cannot be concerned how the other client will react. You can only work for one of them ethically, so once you're booked by one, you're booked.

 

Now, having to turn away work is a reason to think about asking for a larger fee from the first client, although the exact opposite is the oporational reality. If they ask for a lower fee consider contracting so that they double it if they win.

 

 

I agree. I've had competitors bidding on the same project a couple of times. What I do is tell company A if they want me to be exclussive they have to pay a "registration" fee. I usually charge 3/4 of the price of the render that I would have done for company B.

[jntdigital]

When we compete for projects to provide architectural services, we normally present the entire project team to the client, which includes all engineers and consultants. most of the time, this does not include a viz consultant. an award of the project usually comes from the portfolio and experience of the project team, with some points going toward presentation quality. We were recently awarded a design/build project where the presentation graphics were awful. so when i first read your post i found it odd that one firm would ask for exclusivity on a short-list presentation/interview. the firm you are not doing work for may be the one to provide you with the most work in the future.

 

But maybe the quality of the presentation is of high importance to the client, probably mentioned in the RFP and a big factor in the contract award. if the client is a developer who is looking to sell some or all of his units before construction, they may be looking for the best looking presentation that will help them sell their units. a hypothetical situation, but one where i can see an exclusive contract to be appropriate, as your visuals are the architect's competitive advantage. if they are asking to be exculsive, then they are presenting your firm as big part of the project team to meet the clients demands, and they are pretty confident that you can put together a package that will close the deal for them.

 

plus its just one project, if you have met and exceeded the other clients expectations in the past, i dont see why they would not call you again. I think the firm asking to be exclusive has to pay a higher fee for the potential loss of income from turning down the other.

 

sorry so long...

[Justin Hunt]

I can understand why they are asking you not to work for the other firm. They don't want their design to be seen by anyone else until the judging. They want the competitive edge and they want your full attention paid to their job.

 

In your contract work in a time limit of exclusivity, ie just for the duration of the project. If the other company wants to book you as well, be honest and tell them you are already booked and tied into a short term exclusivity contract but you will be available in the near future. Unless you are directly asked, do not divulge who you are working for, claim confidentiality.

 

By doing this you should keep both clients for future work. Your profesionalism will be seen in good light and may even prompt both clients to book you sooner rather than later for future work for fear of loosing out.

 

JHV

[Chad Warner]

The exclusive part of the contract is just for this one project, so that part of it wouldn't be an issue. And amazingly enough, the client offered to pay more for the exclusivity on this project.

 

What I'm afraid of is that the second firm, whom we also do quite a bit of work for, will be pissed at us for working with the first firm and not want to hire us again, because hypothetically it was our work that made them lose the bid.

 

Of course, the second firm has never hired us to do pre-bid work for them, so it probably won't even be an issue.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

And amazingly enough, the client offered to pay more for the exclusivity on this project.

 

it shouldn't be surprising that they paid more. they wanted a certain product that they knew you could deliver. they were paying extra for you to only deliver it to them.

 

What I'm afraid of is that the second firm, whom we also do quite a bit of work for, will be pissed at us for working with the first firm and not want to hire us again, because hypothetically it was our work that made them lose the bid.

 

i wouldn't sweat it. if they are grudge holders, then yes, they might try to look to someone else. you should know the competition in your area, and know what they can and can't deliver.

 

think of it this way, if the team your contracted with wins, it isn't just because it was a good design, it was because you made the design easy to understand, and you made it look nice. that should raise your stock with the other firm, and possibly make them want you more on the next big project.

[vizwhiz]

Chad

 

hire your "brother" or "sister" Temporarily

but do The work yourself To insure quality

 

and pass it off as someone else's render

 

(well, maybe not)

 

There seems To be a lot of Things To weigh in your decision

 

good luck, hopefully This can Turn into a positive situation

for both you and both of your clients, (not sure exactly how)

 

but This might be a good a Time as any To lay down

some beneficial ground rules for your further projects

 

**

 

just a Thought

 

would you actually have The Time To do both renderings for Two clients

 

at The same Time, anyway?

 

Randy

[Chad Warner]

 

just a Thought

 

would you actually have The Time To do both renderings for Two clients

 

at The same Time, anyway?

 

Randy

 

Technically, yes. But I don't really want to do the work for both firms, just the first one that contacted me. I just don't want to jeapordize the relationship with either of them.