TL;DR Residential: (1) briefing with a form, (2) calculate hours per phase, (3) add up direct costs, (4) apply a 30-45% margin + taxes, (5) present in 3 packages. No briefing, no quote. No margin, no work.

1. Structured briefing

Use a form (Google Form or inside your digital proposal). Minimum questions:

  • Program of needs - how many bedrooms, suites, living areas.
  • Approximate area (m2).
  • Intended standard (popular, mid, high, luxury).
  • Available construction budget.
  • Desired deadline.
  • Style (references in photos).
  • Who decides (a couple? a family? just one person?).

Without a filled briefing, your proposal is a guess. And quoting on a guess = losing money or losing the client.

2. Calculating hours

Use benchmarks (covered in the article on time):

  • Residential 150 m2: 120-180h
  • Residential 250 m2: 200-290h
  • High-end residential 400+ m2: 320-480h

Multiply by the studio's hourly rate (R$ 180-350/h typically).

3. Direct costs

  • Render (R$ 600-3,500 per image).
  • Survey/soil testing (if it is a new project).
  • Approval fees at the city hall/registry office.
  • Travel, if it is out of town.

4. Margin and taxes

On the subtotal (hours + direct costs), apply:

  • Operating margin: 30-45%.
  • Taxes: ~6% (Simples) to ~13% (Lucro Presumido). Include them.

5. Presentation in 3 packages

Always present 3 options:

  1. Essential - project only + legal project + simple render.
  2. Complete - + detailed design + 8 renders + follow-up.
  3. Premium - + engineering disciplines + construction management.

The client chooses, and you only close a deal higher than the essential one. It is basic sales psychology and it works.

Limify

Ready-made residential packages

Limify builds the 3 packages automatically: Essential, Complete, Premium. The client compares them on a single screen, chooses and signs, digitally, within 48h.

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