“Work orders”, or project scopes of work, have been coming in which is typical for this time of year. We have a client that contracts with us work to be done on many of their existing buildings.  This year we are managing work for 15 of these buildings. This work can range from replacing and maintaining FF&E to interior architectural remodels or build outs. Today I have been working on reviewing all the work orders and getting the contracts for the work signed and out back to the client.

Today I also worked on reviewing the invoices, or requests for payment, that are going out to my clients for all the other projects already contracted. Once all the hours and notes on the invoices are verified, I sign the contracts and they are given back to accounting to process. One of the main reasons I review these individually and not just sign them – trusting in the accounting department – is to verify our hours burned (spent) on the projects verses the work remaining to be completed for that contract. Most of this work is billed at an hourly rate with an amount of money – or cap – that cannot be exceeded: “Hourly with a NTE (not to exceed).” If you want to succeed in the field of design, you can’t just be creative; you have to be efficient with the hours you have, to do the work you are contracted to do and then “bring home the bacon” and be profitable. It’s a balance for sure, but one we are all trying to succeed at.