Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the questions we are asked most often, and the answers.

"How much do you charge for a website?"

This is probably our most frequently asked question. And regretfully, there really isn't a straight answer. As I like to say, it is a lot like going into a General Contractor's office, and asking, "How much to build me a house?" There are so many variables, you really can't just answer with a price. And honestly, anyone who does, you wouldn't want to do business with, because they're either overcharging you, they're going to be revising their price before the project is over, or else they are giving you inferior quality product.

We start out by talking with you; asking questions, getting to know you and your business. This helps us to "get on the same page". Once everyone is clear, and in agreement as to the scope of the project, then a proposal is generated. We believe this is the most fair way to do business.

"What does the cost include?"

We offer "Concept to Completion" service.

"[Another designer/company/site] charges less than you. Can you match their price?"

We believe in doing quality work, for a fair price. Yes, someone else may complete your project for a lower rate, but you have to understand that everything is relative. If you go to a Ferrari dealership and talk to them about buying a car, they're going to quote you a price just under $200,000. If you go to the local Hyundai dealership and talk to them about buying a car, they're going to quote you a price around $20,000. But I doubt that you would then go back to the Ferrari dealer and ask them to match the Hyundai dealer's price. Why? Because you're not making an equal comparison. While they are both "cars", a Hyundai and a Ferrari are clearly in two different classes.

Whether you get a relative to handle your project for free, or you go through some website, and get a high school kid with a pirated copy of Photoshop to do it for $5.00, or you hire an "offshore" designer at $6.00/hour or pay a high-priced consultant $500.00/hour, you’ll probably get what you paid for.

Clear back in the fifteenth century, Gabriel Bell was the first to say, "You get what you pay for." and today, in the twenty-first century, it is still true. In the 1970's, Bell Helmets (No relation, that we're aware of) used the slogan, "If you've got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet..." indirectly asking the question, "What is your head worth?" When you're in the market for Visual Communications creation, you should ask yourself, What is your business worth?

What is my involvement in the process?

The most important thing to know is that communication is critical in this sort of work. We are trained professionals, however, we are not mind readers. Any samples or examples that you can provide can help us to get an idea of style and concept that you have in mind can only help. It is also important to make sure to meet each deadline. During the design process, the client is asked to provide certain information, approve certain colors and fonts before work continues. The most frequent delay that we encounter, is waiting to receive content or approvals from the client.

"I really like a particular [logo/website/etc.] can you change the colors and wording, do one for me like it?"

You must realize that the design that you are wanting yours to "copy" is copyrighted work. It is the property of another artist, and/or another organization. As such, any designer you could hire cannot legally duplicate another artist's work. To do so would be in violation of copyright laws, and make both the designer duplicating the work, and the client retaining them to do so legally liable.

In order to use ANY photograph, drawing, or any other type of image, you MUST have legal, written permission from the copyright holder.

Now that being said, let me be clear, if there are particular styles that you like, let us know. While we can't and won't copy the design, we can use the style of another project as a guide in creating yours.