Stop Losing Money on Construction: Flat Fees, Procurement, and Boundaries

Construction projects can either stabilize your business… or quietly drain it. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with construction management expert Renee Biery, host of Only Girl on the Job Site, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes when designers say they “hate” construction.

Spoiler: It’s usually not the construction itself.
It’s pricing, boundaries, and unclear roles.

If you’ve ever:

Felt anxious sending hourly invoices
Lost money on delayed projects
Let contractors keep all the allowances
Avoided procurement because of “liability fears”
Wondered if you should stop offering construction altogether.

This episode is for you.

The Big Takeaway: Decorating margins are shrinking. Access to product is everywhere.

Construction, when structured properly, gives you:

Dual income streams
Recurring clients for decades
Less marketing pressure
Greater authority on site
More control over your profitability

It’s not about becoming a contractor.

It’s about structuring your role properly so you stop leaking money on projects that should be your most profitable work.

Episode Highlights

When it’s okay to stop offering construction — and when it’s fixable
Why hourly billing often penalizes your efficiency
How to transition to flat fees (even for project management)
The power of charging in advance
Why designers should be procuring on renovation projects
How to negotiate allowances with contractors
The truth about liability (you’re already responsible if you specify)
Why construction creates long-term business stability
How adding construction can protect you during economic downturns

Episode REsource

Join the Waitlist for our new Designers Room Program!
To learn more about Renee Biery visit her website, follow her on instagram and listen to her podcast, The Only Girl on the Jobsite.
Episode 158: Managing a Construction Job Site with Renee Biery
Episode 256: Live At High Point Market | Money Matters: Expert tips from a profitable business with Renée Biery, Dina Holland & Jamie Merida

March 3, 2026

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