Jake,
I agree with Brenda on moonlighting.
and Mr. McKay is correct too. Live way below your means and have some cash saved up. The only way to make money as sole practitioner is work, work your butt off. Marketing, and beating the bushes takes time and is not billable.
I have an office policy that officially prohibits moonlighting and that in no way should moonlight work be done on office time or using office supplies, computers, software or any part of the office as a resource. Nor do I allow moonlight phone calls to be taken during office hours. It is also very hard to restrict a moonlight client from calling you during work hours. Should a moonlight project get in trouble, I have done my best to insulate DDA from the employee.
Some people may think because you work for me, they can get a DDA product without paying for it by using DDA talent on the side at a much reduced rate.
I would encourage you to try to sell your office and become a more valuable employee. When I sold jobs that could have moonlighted at my old office, they were mine to design and be responsible for, and I had my employers supervising my work.You hope your employer will recognize your contribution and reward you financially along with letting you do the fun part. It also could get you fired and hurt your reputation, even so far as being accused of steeling. You never know how this can go.
I would also say, do not under cut professional rates moonlighting. You will learn these are not the people you want to work for anyway. It is very hard to raise your rates if your start out low.
As soon as you become employed, the cost to do business goes up fast.
Business license, FICA doubles, taxes go up, city, state, local, taxes on office contents, an accountant/cpa, computers and software, Healthcare, your car, what about Healthcare? You do get some write offs too. Do not mix personal and work money.There are plenty of people will not pay professional rates nor value the professional process and quality of work it leads too. You learn these are not the people you gnat to work for anyway.
I will say moonlighting is great way to practice and develop your skills. Practice the key word here. It is definitely a risk reward adventure.
Will client take on the risk? Will you be able to transfer the risk to the builder or owner. Meeting a client for the first time, helping to create a vision, selling your worth, doing the work, figuring out technical details and the implications. Work with very good engineer, Collecting for your work is always fun, Can you wait 30 days for pay or 60 or 90 days. Or the best of all, not getting paid for what ever excuse the client will have. do have the money to pursue collections, and the time.
The big one, manning up when you make an error that cost somebody money. Can write the check to cover your error? You will quickly learn to charge serious money for your work after paying to fix architecture where you made an error. It is serious business and many people are counting on your instructions to be accurate and correct.
-------------------------------------------
Donald Duffy AIA
Don Duffy Architecture
Charlotte NC
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-25-2013 17:43
From: Brenda Nelson
Subject: Architect Student with Green Architecture Business Questions
Mr. McKay - I'm a little concerned that you mentioned moonlighting to an architecture student. My career goal is to work in the residential sector and since most homes don't need a licensed architect, I've looked into the possibility of doing some moonlighting work to help me get to that goal. What I discovered was that I'm not able to get liability insurance because I'm not licensed and don't have enough experience. Beyond that, there's currently a perception that my employer should be aware of my moonlighting activities, even if I've not shared that information. We all know that it's not our employer's responsibility to watch over our lives outside of work, but moonlighting activities may still put my employer at risk. They worked just as hard at getting their license as everyone else and ultimately do not deserve to have it put into jeopardy based on the outside actions of one individual.
I understand many architects get their start through moonlighting, but I caution recommending it as it carries a great deal of risk, risk that you may be unknowingly transferring to those who have had no knowledge of your activities.
-------------------------------------------
Brenda Nelson Assoc. AIA
Woodruff Design, LLC
Ankeny IA
-------------------------------------------