Hi guys!
I have always grown up around the belief and understanding that no one should work for free. Your time is valuable. With my past work as part of a building construction company and for the past few years as an architectural designer, the initial site consultation fee is vital to determine if a potential client is serious or just shopping around.  I do provide free proposals, but when I have to come out in person, there is a $150 site consultation fee. If the client wants to proceed with the project, the consultation fee is then taken off the total cost of the design. Since I do work all around Maryland and Northern Virginia and while we are in the middle of the Covid-era, I am considering waving the site visit fee as funds are tight for everyone right now until the pandemic is over and everyone has their fair chance to get the vaccine.