© 2024 Melissa Galt, Inc.
Protect Your Practice, Your Profit,
and Your Peace of Mind.
It's your turn to take your design business to the next level
"The Right Design Agreement"
Clear Communication for Clients. Protection for You
You know you need to run your business like a boss and not like a hobby.
But if you don’t have the right foundations in place, you may be feeling like…
“I’m feeling completely overwhelmed with the projects I have onboard right now.”
Clients are calling me all hours of the day and night.”
“I need my client to respond and they’re ghosting me.”
“My bank balance is looking good but I need a break. I can’t even remember the last time I took a vacation.”
“I’m so nervous when it comes time to present a proposal. It feels like such a waste of time to even prepare them.”
“When I see my client’s number on my phone, I cringe. I always KNOW it means there’s a problem.”
It’s beyond frustrating. You’re experienced in design. You’re great at what you do when it comes to the creative side of things. And yet you still get tripped up and caught off guard when it comes to running the business side.
It doesn’t have to be that way
When you show up as the professional you truly are, your process is clearly defined and spelled out. Clients know what to expect. They understand when and how to communicate with you. They know what they're responsible for as a partner in the design process.
and that changes everything.
Imagine what it will be like when...
✔ You take an overdue week of scheduled vacation because you know everything will be handled while you’re gone.
✔ You choose whether to open your laptop when you’re enjoying time with family or while on vacation....or not.
✔ Your bank balance doesn’t come as a big surprise to you because you’ve been tracking it all year long.
✔ You approach walking through a proposal with your client with confidence (and no knot in your stomach).
✔ You don’t worry about chasing a client for monies owed because your signed agreement spelled everything out and you stopped work on the project when the client paused payment.
It all comes down to this…
….when you clearly communicate your process and your expectations (and wrap it all up inside a legal agreement):
✔ Your clients trust you
✔ Your clients have confidence in you and in your ability to do what you say you’re going to do, and
✔ You’ve just protected yourself and your business
Until you get a solid system in place, alongside the right agreement, you’ll never break free from those projects that both weigh you down and keep you up at night.
Providing a legal agreement to your client gives them an immediate sense of professionalism and trust in you and your business. And with the details of the project spelled out in clear terms you avoid any scope creep….
no more doing work you aren’t getting paid for!
Many times remakes happen because a client didn’t understand a common industry term. Having an agreement written in everyday English that both you and the client can easily understand,
eliminates communication challenges and saves you money.
With the right system and process in place, you’re finally free to be creative....
while knowing all the details are taken care of.
A carefully crafted agreement also serves as a marketing tool….
generating referrals and testimonials as part of the process.
Having the right agreement also saves time by incorporating the proposal right into the agreement.
No more wasting time by needing to create a separate document.
“Results Were Surprisingly fast and profitable!"
We had a letter of agreement but it wasn't as clear or concise as Melissa's "right agreement." My team merged her agreement with our own, and we also applied her design discovery process to work only with our ideal clients.
The results were surprisingly fast and profitable. Her agreement gave us added confidence and provided perfect clarity to the clients so it helped us set the right expectations and boundaries, particularly around communications. It's also a great positioning piece with the clauses on photography, testimonials, and landscape signage, all included, so we review that with the client before we even launch the project.
The "right agreement" has been an important foundational template and strategy in our business growth.
Deanne Bridenstine, Pure Design Interiors, Canton, Ohio
Five years into my business I was nearly burned out. I was saying YES to all the clients while working nearly non-stop. With one full-time assistant and one part-time intern, my peak was 40 projects and I was on the fast track to burnout.
As I built out the right systems and implemented proven strategies, I found success - I found the financial freedom coupled with the time freedom to spend my days doing the things I want to do.
Inside my business, that means I get to enjoy the creative pursuits and outsource the stuff I don’t like. And in my personal life, I get to spend time with my friends, family or exploring new adventures.
However you define success it can be yours….when you put the right processes and systems in place.
One of the key processes is having the RIGHT proposal and agreement system. Something that is easy to use.
✔ Easy for you to understand.
✔ Easy to walk clients through.
✔ Easy to point back to when a client changes their mind. Or oversteps their boundaries. Or when disagreements come up about what monies are owed.
And when you have the right agreement, your clients immediately assume you are a professional with all of the other systems and processes in place to handle their project with the highest level of care and excellence.
Introducing
"The Right Design Agreement"
A proven agreement created specifically for the interior design business written in simple to understand English
(with all the legal bases covered and approved by attorneys)
Here’s what you can expect when you get
"The Right Design Agreement"
"The Right Design Agreement" Master Template
($2497 Value)
✔ Written in simple to understand English (with all the legal bases covered and approved by attorneys).
✔ Word Document for simple customization
✔ PDF Master Document (So you'll have the original document without changes)
✔ 30 Clauses that are clearly identified as mandatory, optional, or customizable.
✔ PLUS 8 EXCEPTIONAL BONUSES
This is the agreement that I’ve used, with additions along the path, for over two decades, and my close rate is 90%.
This is the same document that the designers I coach privately and through The Go Beyond Intensive use and they experience similar results.
The key is that you’re getting PROFIT PROTECTION & PEACE OF MIND, while deliver clarity and confidence to your clients.
Plus Exceptional Bonuses, Including:
($3782 Value)
✔ The Scope of Work and Design Detail ($797 Value)
✔ The Right Design Agreement Clause Cheat Sheet ($597 Value)
✔ The Customize Per Project Checklist ($197 Value)
✔ Reasonable Legal Resources ($197 Value)
✔ Creating Profitable Expectations Every Time ($297 Value)
✔ Training & Success Guide: Rates and Fees ($997 Value)
✔ Training: “Protect Your Profits & Position Your Expertise” ($697 Value)
✔ Lifetime Updates for The Right Design Agreement (Priceless)
“Protects My Business
and My Profits"
I do a lot of interior design for high end builders, as well as private clients. Melissa worked closely with me to customize her letter of agreement to my business, and make it work for the builder as well as my private clients.
I had it reviewed by my local attorney and he said not to change a thing, the template protects my business and my profits.
This is priceless and gives me back a lot of peace of mind. Having the "right agreement" saves me a lot of time with proposals as I'm making minor adjustments and customizing with scope, but no longer losing many hours and even days to the process.
Melissa's tools, templates, and strategies are powerful time savers and my revenues have more than tripled since applying them.
Christa Pirl
Christa Pirl Interiors
Park City, UT
“Helps Me Land Projects With My Ideal Clients"
When I started working with Melissa, one of the big changes I made was my letter of agreement. I had one in place, but when I saw the "right agreement" I knew I wanted to uplevel.
It's a flexible document so it's easy to use as a whole or customize per client project.
I do a lot of remodels and kitchen and bath and it really helps me land the projects with my ideal clients. Melissa recommended a cool tool called proposify that allows me to make my agreement and proposal a gorgeous graphic document and I walk the client through to signing.
I haven't seen another agreement that comes close and thrilled to have this as one of my key business tools.
Megan Siason
M Studio Interior Design
Long Beach, CA
“Positions Me as the
Professional That I Am"
While building my young design practice, I needed help from Melissa, an amazing “go getter” and one extremely organized woman! She had all the tools, strategy, and systems I needed to land my ideal clients and great projects.
Her letter of agreement was essential in my being able to convey to clients clear expectations, my process, and my deliverables. It makes such a difference having a contract that really works and positions me as the professional that I am.
Having the agreement gave me greater confidence in the part of the business that I like the least. I love the creative side, the numbers part always made me uncomfortable.
Melissa's agreement makes it easier and protects me and my business.
Jonna Robison
Jonna Robison Interior Design
Park City, UT
Over the past 15 years, every time I’ve provided my agreement to the designers I coach, they’ve been thrilled to have access to the exact process and strategy I’ve used to take proposals to signed agreements to successful projects and into raving referrals. The same agreement and process I’ve used to achieve a 90% close rate on proposals!
The designers I coach privately invest thousands of dollars to work with me and they’ve said getting the agreement and process I follow has been the key to their own business foundation.
The best part is….you don’t have to invest thousands to get what they got!
When you get “The Right Design Agreement,” you’re getting ALLLL of the lessons learned and knowledge earned from working with hundreds of design clients over the years. And every time something didn’t work out right, I’ve tweaked my agreement to make sure it never happened again!
Every time I fired a client (and there’s just been 5 whoppers in over 25 years in business) and lost thousands of dollars on a job, I looked back at the red flag moments and added into the agreement EVERYTHING that would’ve:
(a) clarified expectations before the project went off the rails,
(b) established myself as the expert and set up the client boundaries from the beginning, and
(c) saved myself all those lost dollars by having a clear cancellation clause in the agreement.
You don’t have to go through everything I did to create your own agreement. Take advantage of my experience. Of my mistakes. And of my successes.
Whether you’re working on smaller projects or working on multiple 6-figure residential jobs, chances are, you can already see what the RIGHT agreement will do for you.
But it’s not just for this next project….
….it’s for every project moving forward….so your business is protected every time. With every client.
You can go hire an attorney to write an agreement, but attorneys don’t understand this business.
Ours is a complex, unique industry. Agreements from your local law firm will be legally binding but they’ll be missing the design-specific business key components. Your attorney won’t be adding anything about remakes, photography, furnishings, etc.
So that legal agreement is less than half of what you really need.
Next, you’d still need to put together a proposal with the scope of the work outlined and that may get you another quarter of the agreement you really need.
But you’re still missing pieces.
Critical pieces.
And you could go through the school of hard knocks (like I did) and lose thousands of dollars (like I did) and miss out on nights, weekends, and vacations (like I did)....
Or you could learn from my mistakes and get your agreement now for just $597.
Here’s what you can expect when you get
"The Right Design Agreement"
"THE RIGHT DESIGN AGREEMENT" MASTER TEMPLATE
($2497 Value)
✔ Written in simple to understand English (with all the legal bases covered and approved by attorneys).
✔ Word Document for simple customization
✔ PDF Master Document (So you'll have the original document without changes)
✔ 30 Clauses that are clearly identified as mandatory, optional, or customizable.
✔ PLUS 8 EXCEPTIONAL BONUSES
This is the very best way you can celebrate and grow your business, I’ve put together the best bonus package to get you the greater success.
With a total added value of $3,782 + Peace of Mind, you also get...
BONUS #1:
The Right Design Agreement Scope of Work & Design Detail
($797 Value)
You get an example of the in-depth scope of work, or as I prefer to call it “design detail,” that is essential to every project.
The example is from an actual project that grew from an anticipated two room remodel for less than $100K in 90 days to the entire 3-story townhome remodel and update for $500K in the same time frame.
You want to understand how a truly detailed scope of work will open up design and profit potential.
BONUS #2:
The Right Design Agreement Checklist Per Clause
($597 Value)
You get a complete walk through of every clause in “The Right Agreement” so you understand, first hand, the relevance and necessity of each one.
Every clause is shown as mandatory or optional, and everyone is customizable if desired.
Most importantly, you will be able to walk your client through your agreement with ease and confidence. You won’t be intimidated by legal jargon, or confused by attorney speak. You will understand the agreement and be excited to apply it to all of your projects.
BONUS #3:
The Customize Per Project Checklist
($197 Value)
You get a quick action reminder of what to do for every project agreement.
This gives you the fast track to customizing for every project in a single sheet so you don’t forget a thing.
It's your success cheat sheet!
BONUS #4:
Training:
“THE RIGHT LETTER OF AGREEMENT TO
PROTECT YOUR PROFITS & POSITION YOUR EXPERTISE”
($697 Value)
- How to Avoid Lawsuits and Protect Your Practice
- Ditch Stress and Anxiety and Reclaim Your Peace of Mind
- How to Increase Your Profitability and Stop Giving Away Your Talent
- Create a Contract Your Client Can’t Wait to Sign and Grow Your Business
- How to Position Yourself as a True Professional and Get More Business
BONUS #5:
Training & Success Guide:
Rates and Fees
($997 Value)
- How to Protect Your Profit from Scope Creep & Client Changes
- Stop Leaving Money on the Table, Learn to Pick the Right Flat Fee
- How to Find Your Fortune with Square Foot Fees
- The Dual Fee Method that Ditches Hourly Tracking
- How to Use Percent of Project Cost for More Profit
BONUS #6:
Reasonable Legal Resources List
($197 Value)
You get quality legal resources both individual attorneys and group plans that are both cost effective and can review your agreement per local laws and regulations, particularly if you make changes.
BONUS #7:
Lifetime Updates
(Priceless)
Our industry is every changing. You'll get access to any updates to "The Right Design Agreement."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time will this take me to set up?
You can use the agreement immediately. There are a couple of places you must select options, where you detail fees and deliverables, and where you include scope of work. And, you’ll want to read it carefully to insert your business name in all the necessary places.
You can further customize each section for each project you work on. It’s simple to adjust and adapt to fit your specific needs.
What if I work on smaller projects?
The agreement is 100% customizable. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a small family room or working on multiple 6-figure residential projects....every size project can be covered because you write out the scope of work for each project. And you customize your deliverables and fees every time.
I don’t have a team. Will this agreement work for me?
Absolutely, there is never a reason to work without an agreement. And this covers every contingency keeping your profits protected, giving you peace of mind, and making your client confident in your services.
I have a team. Will the agreement work for me?
Definitely. Having a team doesn’t isolate you from the problem of under charging. With the agreement and the bonus How to Leverage Rates and Fees Training and Success Guide, you’ll be perfectly positioned to customize the agreement for your business. You can add to it, subtract from it, tweak it to suit your firm’s unique needs.
How do I know if this agreement is legal for me to use in my state?
The “right agreement” has been reviewed by attorneys in Georgia and Arizona. In addition, designers who I coach, in six other states, got the agreement reviewed by attorneys licensed in those states. No changes have been recommended or advised. It’s always smart to get a local legal review before using the agreement. See the cost effective legal resources provided in the bonus resource, or use your preferred local attorney.
Do you have a refund policy for The Right Design Agreement?
Because you’re purchasing a digital download of a legal agreement that will serve and support your success for years to come, I don’t offer refunds.
If you just want to “try it out and see if it works for you,” then put your wallet away because this isn’t for you.
When you’re ready for a NEW way to close projects successfully, inspire trust from clients before they sign the agreement, and avoid miscommunication every step along the way, the Right Design Agreement can get you there.
(If you’re working outside the U.S., this agreement may not cover your legal process. However, the general concept of how you’re working with clients would still apply.)
From the desk of Melissa Galt
August 15, 2024
As a designer, you’ve had situations where you’ve told clients that design is a short-term investment that delivers a long-term ROI. (And if you haven’t, then that’s a writer-downer and keep it top of mind when clients get squirrely about their design investment.)
Getting “The Right Design Agreement” is the same kind of opportunity. When you’re ready to avoid scope creep (or get paid for it, when it happens), establish firm client boundaries so you can enjoy evenings and weekends off, be treated fairly and professionally, and get testimonials and photography with permission in advance, it’s time to get started with the right agreement today.
I want to take a moment and level with you. Almost daily I hear from designers who are frustrated and anxious because clients are canceling orders due to the extensive delays right now. Many of those designers didn’t have a clause in their agreements covering circumstances outside their control. The pandemic isn’t something that should be costing you money out of your pocket just because clients are tired of waiting. But if you don’t have the right agreement in place, it can happen.
You know I’m not doom-and-gloom but I also hate seeing you burn out and lose money because you didn’t take action on a short-term investment to get that long-term ROI.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your profits and your peace of mind. Get The Right Design Agreement so it can start working for you.
HUGE HUGS & ENDLESS PROFITS,
Melissa
Remember, Here's Everything You're Getting:
✔ The Right Design Agreement Master Template ($2497 Value)
✔ The Scope of Work and Design Detail ($797 Value)
✔ The Right Design Agreement Clause Cheat Sheet ($597 Value)
✔ The Customize Per Project Checklist ($197 Value)
✔ Training & Success Guide: Rates and Fees ($997 Value)
✔ Training: “Protect Your Profits & Position Your Expertise” ($697 Value)
✔ Reasonable Legal Resources ($197 Value)
✔ Creating Profitable Expectations Every Time ($297 Value)
✔ Lifetime Updates for The Right Design Agreement (Priceless)
Total Value: $6,279
Today's Price: $597
The Guarantee:
I guarantee that if you continue without an agreement or with a weak one, you will lose money, sacrifice profit, and give up your peace of mind.
The right agreement ensures your business professionalism and success when you follow the process, apply the letter of agreement, and develop your fees according to the trainings.
You deserve to protect your profits and enjoy peace of mind around every client project. Your client deserves clarity and confidence when they hire you. The right agreement delivers.