003 PRE-DESIGN DOCUMENTS TO ENSURE YOU GET PAID Artwork

SILL TALKS

SILL TALKS is a podcast dedicated to providing information, finding new ways and developing strategies to help the Architect, Designer and Creatives build better businesses that are profitable and sustainable.In each episode, Arc Egbeiyon Leonard breaks down the core principles that makes architectural businesses worth going into hence helping you find the sweet spot between architecture and business.From Branding to Negotiation for architects to Learning how to find a Niche in Architecture as well as getting paid faster to Learning to deliver value through Architecture and many other ways to constantly grow your revenue and business as an Architect, Designer and a Creative in general.

All Episodes

SILL TALKS

003 PRE-DESIGN DOCUMENTS TO ENSURE YOU GET PAID

August 21, 2025 • Egbeiyon Leonard • Episode 3

0:00 | 25:53

One of the biggest mistakes architects and designers make is starting work without the right paperwork in place. Passion takes over, ideas start flowing, sketches hit the table… but when it’s time to collect fees, clients suddenly “forget” agreements, delay payments, or dispute the scope. The truth is, getting paid begins long before the design does.

In this episode of The SILL TALKS Podcast, we break down the essential pre-design documents every architect needs to protect their work and guarantee payment. We’ll cover:

Why verbal agreements and handshakes are not enough.
The specific documents that set expectations from day one.
How these documents protect you legally and financially.
Practical tips for presenting them to clients without scaring them off.
Real scenarios where the right paperwork saved us from losses.

If you’ve ever been underpaid, delayed, or ghosted after delivering value, this episode will give you the tools to secure your fees with confidence.

✨ Subscribe, share, and let’s make “getting paid” the standard, not the struggle.

Have a challenge in your practice, business, or professional journey that you’re currently navigating?

Send us a message at info@silldesigns.com
and share what you’re dealing with.
Your insight may shape a future episode or help us point you toward clarity, structure, and practical next steps.