Coaching Call with Residential Architect Jason Comer
May 7, 2024
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Residential architect Jason Comer discusses transitioning from commodity labor to productized leverage in home design. Topics include authentic project images, marketing strategies, building relationships with developers, testing designs digitally, and navigating housing market dynamics.
Transitioning from commodity labor to productized leverage is essential for scaling a service-based business.
Educating clients on the value of construction documentation is crucial in managing expectations and building long-term relationships.
Targeting developers with standardized design solutions can streamline project processes and establish a repeatable design model.
Deep dives
Specializing in Residential Projects
The guest, Jason Comer, transitioned from working in an architecture firm to starting his own practice focused on residential projects. He initially struggled with undifferentiated low-value projects but later shifted to value pricing, increasing his fees significantly. However, he still faced challenges in client work and aimed to transition to non-one-on-one work to break out of reliance on direct client projects.
Day-to-Day Operations and Project Phases
Jason's typical day now revolves around high-value residential projects, particularly new house designs for successful clients aged 40 to 60. His work involves due diligence, design, and production phases, with an emphasis on educating clients about the importance of thorough construction documentation. Despite challenges with client urgency and anxiety, Jason looks to shift away from client work.
Value Pricing and Client Relationship Dynamics
After embracing value pricing, Jason significantly raised his fees, charging up to $120,000 for projects that include construction documents and post-permit support. He acknowledges challenges with clients' lack of understanding regarding the value of these documents, emphasizing the importance of managing client expectations and building long-term relationships.
Exploring Productized Services
Jason considers transitioning from client work to productized services targeting developers and contractors. He contemplates offering a catalog of high-end residential designs to streamline the process for clients and potentially reduce costs. By focusing on less customized projects and emphasizing ease of collaboration, Jason aims to cater to developers' needs and establish a repeatable design model.
Marketing and Networking Strategies
In exploring marketing strategies, Jason contemplates featuring his designs in a coffee table-like catalog or presenting them digitally. He discusses the advantages of targeting developers facing scope creep challenges and offering standardized solutions to streamline their project processes. Collaborating with spec developers emerges as a viable approach to systematize the design process and ensure profitability.
Residential architect Jason Comer joined me on Ditching Hourly to brainstorm how he might migrate from commodity labor to productized leverage with his expertise in home design. Even if you're not an architect, I think you'll find the discussion useful.