Make it clear that you place great emphasis on quality and that quality has its price. After all, you want to work with clients who appreciate good work and are willing to pay for it. This willingness on the part of your client may (or may not) become apparent early on.

Luisa Haase-Kiewning of Lu Interior Berlin, for example, started charging an extra fee several years ago. She charges for her time spent on the initial meeting as well as for travel time. This is justified as she arrives prepared and with good ideas after completing a certain amount of preparatory work prior to meeting with her clients.

And remember, if your client is not willing to pay for quality, it could be a warning sign that working together may not be smooth — or possible.

Lara Theel, managing director of Stand Out Design, recommends a similar approach. Explain to your clients, from the smallest to the largest items, how rising prices have affected the elements and materials in their project. Point out how companies that don’t pass along some of the current price increases are cutting back in other places.

Theel and her team focus on “longevity, quality and sustainability” and customers appreciate that.

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