When just starting a new business, or revamping the pricing model for an existing business, one of the more difficult decisions is whether to bill hourly or charge a flat fee.

It can be far less stressful if you keep in mind one overriding principle, you are a luxury professional and your pricing should reflect the value you bring to the table.

Be the Consumer

Think of what you pay to others to do work for you. Perhaps you have someone who does your taxes or advises you on investments. Maybe your attorney helped you set up your company or handle contracts. Or maybe you have an interior designer who you consult for large or small projects like selecting the paint for the new home you just purchased through your real estate broker. These are all tasks that are of great benefit to you even though you could do them yourself.

Nevertheless, you find it valuable to pay a specialized professional to do them for you. As a consumer, as well as a luxury professional yourself, you understand the value of having someone, skilled at what they do, perform the service to allow you to focus on doing what you do best. You value this luxury and feel those services are worth paying for.

When you prepare to pay other professional service providers, you typically don’t ask them how easy it was for them to do the work and then discount their fees accordingly. Of course not. Price is determined by the value provided to the consumer. The simplicity of delivery does not determine the reasonable fee, but the years of experience, education, and knowledge the luxury professional has obtained throughout their career does. To be able to be efficient in delivery and capitalize on that increased proficiency is the benefit of being persistent and diligent in one’s personal growth.

Pricing Your Services

When pricing your services, you can get tangled up in evaluating the time and difficulties you encounter in delivering your services. Don’t think of it solely this way. Instead, look at it from a client benefit perspective. Just as you would look at it if you were the client hiring the professional.

Your fees must reflect the professional quality of the services you deliver and the resulting value brought to the client. Not how hard it was for you to get the job done.

Determine Your Value

So how do you know what your services are worth? Especially if you are new to practice or modifying your business model.

Be Guided by Your Competition

For a baseline, look to your competition to see what they are charging. You can ask them and they may or may not tell you. If they don’t tell you, ask around. If you do find out, which you probably will, competitor rates are only a starting point and not the determining factor. They should generally tell you however what is acceptable in your area of practice.

What Services have you Consumed

Consider what services you’ve needed over the years. What would you be willing to pay for those services today? What were you required to pay? Did you feel you hit the jackpot or that you grossly overpaid? Your customers will be thinking the same thing and ultimately, that will affect your bottom line.

Hourly Reality

If you have or elect to bill hourly, give your rate the fairness test. Determine how many billable hours you must bill each month to make the wage you need after taxes. Do you feel you can get that much work? Or, does that rate, at those reasonable number of hours yield wealth or send you scrambling for a second job? Consider adjusting your figures up or down to put you where you need to be.

Consider the Flat Fee

Or, instead of being paid solely on time spent, consider the flat fee. Consumers are comfortable with a fixed fee arrangement since there is no guess work, they know what to expect, and can budget accordingly. E-commerce and m-commerce put a wealth of ready-made products at the fingertips of the consumer at very reasonable pricing. A flat fee for your services is a good consideration if your wage depends on products sales.

Even if you do not sell a product but solely rely on your services for income, don’t ignore the flat fee without seriously evaluating it. The concept of the flat fee is that over time you become more efficient at completing routine tasks and you increase your simplicity in delivery. If you were to charge on an hourly basis for those same tasks, eventually you begin losing money. Thereby decreasing your income as you get better and faster at what you do. Seems backward. Beginning with a fair fixed fee allows you to reward yourself for increased efficiency and more refined skills by allowing you to take on more clients in the same amount of time.

How to Structure the Flat Fee

Begin structuring flat fees by reviewing past work, if your business is established, or estimating the amount of time specific tasks should take you. Multiply the actual hours or estimated number of hours by the hourly rate you are thinking of charging. The result should give you an idea of what is reasonable from your perspective. Now reverse your think and look at that number from the client’s perspective. Come up with something different?

Depending on the complexity of the project, sometimes you end up with a stellar wage after the job is complete, and other times you take a bath. But throughout the year it should even out and you will settle into something comfortable. Over time, if you find you get less work than anticipated or your business goals change, you can adjust up or down accordingly. You will have obtained some solid data as well as a much better understanding of what you should be charging and be far better prepared to modify your fee going forward.

Give your best evaluation of a fair flat fee a try. Whether it works on the first try or doesn’t, consider a yearly review to verify your expenses are being covered and your required income levels still meet with your approval. Make your adjustments as needed and congratulate yourself on effectively charging as a luxury professional.

If you are thinking about hiring a professional, LuxePros Find Luxury Pros can help you find a highly-regarded interior designer, architect, attorney, or real-estate agent.

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Inspired by the glorious Andalusian farmhouses of Spain, Avenida El Alba is a sophisticated and luxurious retreat that reflects that magical merging of inspiration and architecture.

Created by renowned architect Mark Fredstrom, the Santa Barbara style estate is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship featuring stone and wood flooring; tray, beamed, and brick and barrel-vaulted ceilings; hand-carved Cantera fireplaces, and custom iron work.

This lavish, 8,396 square-foot luxury estate has a north-south exposure, amazing curb appeal, and fabulous 180-degree views of Camelback Mountain as well as the entire Mummy Mountain range, all nestled in the valley’s most prestigious neighborhood.

Located on a quiet cul-de-sac lot, beautiful desert landscaping and tiered fountain greet you as you enter this southwestern luxury property. A short trip over tumbled pavers, reminiscent of old Europe, take you to a private gated motor court ready to house eight of your finest vehicles in the comfort of air-conditioned spaces.

Imagine entering your palatial round foyer with the daylight streaming through clerestory windows before settling in your grand living room or family room with soaring ceilings and enjoying a roaring fire in the hand-carved Cantera fireplace. Entertain family and friends in the fully equipped theater or billiards room, while sipping wine from your own private wine cellar.

Top-of-the-line gourmet kitchen hosts Viking appliances and double island. Clad with premium finishes, fixtures, and custom quality Rysso Peters Custom Cabinetry in the kitchen, as well as the laundry room, closets, and office.

Sliding glass doors in the dining area highlight views while opening the home to even more light and air. Spill out onto the awe-inspiring wrap-around, covered patio and enjoy the cool misters on a hot, sunny day or welcoming fireplace when the evening turns cool.

Six private bedroom suites, all boasting sleek ensuite baths, generous closets, and wonderful views. The divine master bedroom is the ultimate retreat complete with a spa-like bath with fireplace and huge his and hers closets and elegant office.

Resort style backyard has a 2,000-sq. ft. heated pool and oversized spa for year-round entertaining. Gracefully descend a curved stone staircase flanked by tall junipers to access the lower grounds and your own private putting green.

Of course, with a home like this, you’ll be on the top of the list for out of town visitors. What better way to host visitors with a separate guest house fully equipped with kitchen and living room.
Other highlights include central vacuum system, safe room, oversized laundry with island, exercise/sauna room, and exquisite garden walk. As well as creative sound full home automation with Crestron, Lutron, Plasmas TV’s throughout, and Pella Architectural series windows.

On 1.15 acres of premier acreage, this Spanish Chateau is the crème de la crème in prestigious Salida Del Sol.

Deborah Frazelle, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. With great experience in Arcadia, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and Carefree real estate as well as intimate local area knowledge, I work extensively to help buyers and sellers meet their real estate goals.

If you would like to see more articles like this, please let us know in the comments below.

The compositional symmetry, black outlining of forms, infilling of intense color, and two-dimensional rendering of space and forms reminiscent of folk art, all reference the Marsden Hartley’s studies in Germany during 1913-1915 of Bavarian hinterglasmalerei (reverse painting on glass).

He was subsequently exposed to early American reverse painting on glass at the Ogunquit art colony in 1917, where he actually took up the medium. The brilliant colors, the thick impasto, the “lights and brights wrested out of enveloping darkness” (Wilkin), all contribute to a vision of floral exuberance and indomitable life in Still Life with Flowers, 1941.

Marsden Hartley, Still Life with Flowers, 1941, Oil on masonite, 28 x 22 inches

Mitchell Gold Fine Art

With neutral tones, lots of textural interest, and a whole lot of Moxie!

Using neutrals in a sleek, contemporary space says anything but boring. Working with a neutral palette can offer not only a sense of calm and serenity but also amazing personality and interest.

This main living space taking center stage at the recent Design Showhouse was created by Moxie Design Studio. Their vision embraced a neutral palette pumped up with lots of physical and visual textural interest.

A sleek low-backed white sofa carries your eye throughout the space, providing the perfect backdrop for Hans J. Wegner Shell Chairs. Loren Yagoda art graces the walls throughout the room creating repetition of style as well as visual interest on the 14’ soaring walls. Contemporary chandelier with Edison bulbs embraced the space between ceiling and floor. The result is a multisensory experience through its design and decoration.

This room not only looks great, but it begs to be touched. The cozy hand-loomed rugs from India and soft botanicals did not disappoint. And, because this is the southwest, a turquoise encrusted cow skull made this room complete.

Moxie Design Studio is comprised of co-owners Monica Sullivan and Michelle Pierce, who are friends as well as business partners. They have a mind for design, a heart for those they work with, and a flair for innovation.The diversity of their backgrounds allows them to easily connect and relate to people across the board.

They combine their zest for beauty, life and international excursions to create spaces for clients throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Their design styles are fluid which opens the door for them to create truly custom environments based on their client needs.

Their positive energy, warmth, and integrity are a few reasons why they sustain long-standing relationships with clients, vendors, builders, contractors, and artisans alike.

Credit: Simon Photographic

In a room with verdant views of the outdoors, a simple gray, blue and white palette emphasize the room’s connection to nature.

Gray may be everywhere in contemporary design, but the winning combination of subtle shades in a very tight palette should make you feel at ease in a monochromatic mix of neutrals.

A touch lighter than most other shades of gray, warm grays make for a great backdrop for everything from classic works of art to bold contemporary compositions, allowing the artwork to determine the room’s color palette. Danielle Jacques Designs selection of soft warm tones in area rugs from Organic Looms balances the cool colors in the fabrics in this Paradise Valley Designer Show House.

Danielle’s palette works beautifully with bold accent colors like hot fuchsia. Striking a balance between warm and cool colors is important for interiors, and the walls and floor coverings in warm gray, paired with the cool tones of the textured sofa from Pacific Manufacturing does the balancing act quite well. Resulting in a low-key luxe style that’s easy to live with.

Some would label me a ‘Transcendent Visual Story Teller,’ others would say I’m a ‘Courageous Creator,’ but I believe it is all just amazing forms of art that evoke my passion for design.

Through my interior decorating, I am insanely committed to empowering my clients to own their greatness and live a life they are completely obsessed with, in a home they absolutely love.

My journey began as a student in this design work over two decades ago, working for big box stores. While the design success I was attracting was everything I had thought I had ever wanted, I knew, deep down, there was something missing in my life. I wanted my legacy to be one of contribution, creativity, collaboration, and love; I wanted to create interiors’ that mattered, and I wanted to inspire others to step into their own personal greatness, share the love that they are, and truly SHINE through my design.

Credit: Simon Photographic

Designer Adrienne Hart kicked off the creation of this bright and happy space with thoughts of fun times spent with visiting family.

Using a palette of teal, ochre, and warm reds make for a fun spin on the primary color palette in this vividly inviting guest room featured in the soft contemporary Paradise Valley home which was the location for a recent Designer Showhouse. Neutral furnishings and finishes help ground the cacophony of color brought forth by Beth Ann Swartz’ colorful art pieces and inherently tying the palette together with an earthy blend of browns and soft teal in graphic rug underfoot.

A bold blue-and-rust combo makes a statement in this guest bedroom. The bold contrast of the metallic sculpture is relaxed with soft fabrics and textures like the deep blue linen-covered headboard, furry brown rug, and mercury-glass furnishings.

Adrienne Hart of Modascapes Interior Design has three key values: creativity, collaboration, and compassion. She is self-diagnosed with color matchy-itis and has to work really hard to ignore when the hues have microscopically different values. She can see a color at someone’s house and go shopping weeks or months later and buy things that are a perfect match.

Adrienne has physical experience in a home’s construction – framing, drywall and texture, fixture installation, copper sweating, shingling a roof, tiling, and millwork. She is truly fearless. A Michigan native having made Arizona her home for the past 29 years. Her solid Midwestern work ethic are a perfect blend to collaborate with clients and trades.

Source: Taube Photography and Simon Photographic

Interior designer Monica Sullivan co-founded Moxie Design Studio in 2012 with Michelle Pierce. Together this designing duo have been a creative force.

Monica and Michelle shared with LuxePros and over 300 guests the best of their talents, inspirations, and techniques at a LuxePros Launch for a contemporary million-dollar listing in the heart of Paradise Valley.

After all, in the end, doesn’t it just come down to spaces with a sense of history and adventure that become part of people’s biography?

So let’s explore your history. Monica, what in your past inspired you to pursue design?

MS: I’ve been doing interior design since I was very young, starting with my first “house” that my grandpa built as my play house. I painted it, put furniture inside, and helped my grandma design the drapes! My passion has only grown since. Then it wasn’t more than a hobby until I went to school to get my Bachelor’s in Interior Design and took it to the professional level. I’m in love with what I do!

And Michelle, what was your muse?

MP: My father was a General Contractor and lured me away from my 10-year “stint” in office furnishings to work with him doing new business development, sales, and construction estimating. I thought taking a general overview interior design course would be fun and would align well with my new venture. It wasn’t long before my soul started humming and I was absolutely hooked! I felt all the pieces of my life come together in a profession where I could marry my business background and with my life-long love of all things creative. And so, the next chapter of my life-journey began.

If I was a client, Michelle what could I expect from you in style?

MP: I’m a very eclectic individual, although I generally lean towards a more transitional feel with a splash of Metropolitan.

What is your signature touch Michelle?

MS: I don’t necessarily like to say that I have a signature style although I do consider myself pretty eclectic. I might say a “Gypsy Interior Designer.” I take the client’s design preferences and add my own flair to make a space unique, sylish, and fitting to their specific requests.

What inspires you? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

MS: My inspiration comes from places that I’ve experienced, whether it be in another country, another state, another house that I find amazing or a website or blog with inspirational ideas. There is inspiration in all that surrounds us. Everything that I experience draws me in and grabs my attention.

The brands a designer gravitates toward helps tell the story. Which design brands do you love the most?

MS: There are so many design brands from which to choose. A few of my absolute favorites are: Maya Romanoff with their amazing wallcoverings; Hubbardton Forge Lighting; Holly Hunt furniture; Brizo plumbing fixtures; and Donghia fabrics.

And you Michelle? What are your go to brands?

MP: Marge Carson, Barbara Berry, Bernhardt, Currey & Company, Hickory Chair, Maya Romanoff, Phillip Jeffries, Walker Zanger, Ann Sacks … the list goes on and on!

Are the colors, textures, and techniques found in the show house reflect what you typically gravitate to in furniture design?

MS: I prefer neutral colors and organic textures on contemporary style furniture with a hint of charm and character. Modern organic with a twist of vintage.

MP: I absolutely love color. I love texture. And, I love furniture … ‘nuf said

What is your philosophy on design and life? Are you as fun as you both sound?

MS: Enjoy life and all its opportunities. Embrace your surroundings and yourself. Love life. Love your space.

MP: Successful design has a tremendous effect on our client’s lives. We create environments that work for them in whatever facet of life they’re in while harmoniously blending their treasures with new pieces that effortlessly showcase their personalities, tastes, and preferences. I’m a firm believer in our work should be a true reflection of the home owner – not the designer. I also believe that successful design encompasses far more than the product we deliver. It’s about the experience we create and provide our clients.

As a final thought, give our readers three words that best describe you.

MS: Sincere. Creative. Adventurous.
MP: Multi-faceted. Energetic. Fun.

Photography: Simon Photographic

Who says a neutral palette should stop at beige.

Clean lines and fresh colors make for a bedroom look created by Sujaya Reddy of 7 Dimensions that is timeless, sophisticated, and serene. With a color scheme of dove gray, pale biscuit, and earthy taupe, it’s easy to pair fabrics and furniture.

The wood panels establish scale consistent throughout the space. The linen-upholstered headboard gets a graphic boost from the art panels by Bobbi McMurry and Organic Looms patterned rug.

Modern or classic, this crisp, smart look offers a low-key luxe style that’s easy to live with and transforms a bedroom into a space of tranquility.

Sujaya Reddy is one of the award-winning interior designers that created the master bedroom and bathroom for the Paradise Valley Designer Showhouse. Her favorite hobby is oil painting; landscapes in particular. She began painting as a teenager with no formal painting education. Some of her paintings are about 4′ to 5′ tall as seen below.

She has spent 16 years of her professional career primarily in information technology with Fortune 500 companies. In 2012, she missed the creativity of painting and left IT for design school.