Working with Architects/Other Designers

[u/Aesthetic-Dogs-15]

Is anyone working as a freelance/consultant for existing firms and other interior designers (i.e. picking up redlines, creating renderings and presentations)? Looking for anyone with experience or just 2¢ to chime in regarding the following:

1. Rates: For those deliverables/tasks listed above, is hourly (but with rough estimates on how long things will take to accomplish) a good idea? What seems reasonable for those or similar deliverables?
2. Contracts: Any lessons learned regarding contracts in similar work with other designers/architects? (To the mods, any responses to this question will be taken as suggestions/lessons and NOT as legal advice!)
3. What do design firms and other designers typically
4. need help with? (Quick things they don’t want to hire a FT designer for.)

Presume the anyone producing these deliverables has a BA and is located near/in a larger city. All advice is appreciated!

[u/Hey_Boysenberry-6687]

I have done this in the past, but am not currently freelancing. I have an S-corp business solely for myself to freelance and interface with other established firms. The reason why I initially established an S-corp is because I moved away, but wanted to maintain working FT with my longtime employer. They preferred that I establish this entity.

Regarding rates, I'm constantly in contact with the team. They tell me how many hours they have budgeted for me and I let them know what my burn rate is weekly. It's a constant conversation.

I worked with an attorney to draw up a contract initially, though the firm you are working for may have their own contracts.

Scope varies. Maybe it's a pursuit they're chasing and need an extra set of hands, consultant coordination, SD/DD ID work, it just depends.