[sdinenno]

I have a client who wants to do a large landscaping project in a neighborhood that requires landscaping plans to be approved by an Architectural Review Board. I have already been paid $600 for design work but the review process could take a few weeks and I feel like I need to close the sale on the landscaping contract (approximately $55K).

The problem is that there might be changes to the plans after the ARB reviews them. So I can't say for sure what is going to be included in the final contract or what the grand total will be.

I was thinking that I could present a contract to the homeowner for the job as it is according to the existing plan and ask for a 10% deposit. I would tell him that I don't mind going through the process of getting the approval but I need some kind of committment before I proceed. And I would include a clause in the contract saying that the scope of the work might change based on the results of the committee's review.

I'd like to get some opinions about this situation. Please tell me if you think this is the right way to go about it or if you would do it another way.


Stuart

[TrickyDick]

I think that's fine. We do that a lot working with LA's that either change thier minds a lot or get bids based on approximate specs. You could also just continue to bill for your time going through the process but obviously if you can sign him up that's better.

[Stonehenge]

I think TrickyDick hit the salient points. Either get a deposit and let the client know the price is contingent on any changes the review board would have, or get some sort of hourly retainer to cover your costs while the review is being carried out.