Only Girl On The Jobsite

Renee Biery
  • 4.9 (85)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Only Girl On The Jobsite, the podcast for designers ready to step up their project management game and make confident decisions on the jobsite. I'm your host, Renée Biery, an interior designer with 30 years of experience navigating the world of construction. This podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the ups and downs of jobsite management, working with contractors, and overcoming common pitfalls that can derail a project. Each episode will empower you with actionable advice and real-world lessons to make your projects run smoothly. Ready to elevate your jobsite skills? Start listening, and discover how you can make every project a success. Learn more at www.deVignierdesign.com.

  1. 17h ago

    Why Interior Designers Lose Money on Construction Projects

    There's a quiet assumption in the interior design industry that if you spend enough time around construction projects, eventually you'll just "figure it out." And honestly? Most designers do. Project by project. Mistake by mistake. Usually while undercharging, overextending themselves, and absorbing responsibilities they never intentionally agreed to manage. In this episode, I want to talk about something I wish every interior designer understood much earlier in their career: Construction management is not simply an extension of design work. It is a completely different body of work entirely.   We're talking about: the difference between consulting and managing why construction responsibilities quietly "creep in" how profitability disappears project by project why hourly billing often hurts designers more than it protects them the importance of a true scope of work and how better process leads to better pricing, confidence, and projects I also share the idea of "pink flags" — the subtle client behaviors that often tell you far more about how a construction project will unfold than obvious red flags ever will. If you've ever found yourself managing far more than you priced for, questioning your fees, or feeling exhausted by construction projects you thought you understood, this episode is for you.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designers-lose-money-construction-projects

  2. Sep 8

    What Interior Designers Really Get From Construction Management Coaching

    Today's episode is a little different, and honestly, one of my favorites I've done in a while. Instead of teaching a specific construction management strategy, I'm bringing you two honest conversations with designers inside The Designer's Edge. Not polished testimonials. Not highlight reels. Just real conversations about what actually changes when designers start putting better systems, pricing structures, boundaries, and construction management processes into place. You'll hear from Missy Werbrich, whose background in corporate design and outdoor living helped her build incredible transferable skills — but who still found herself dramatically undercharging and looking for a framework that matched the level she was operating at. Find out more about Missy here: Website: https://www.designwithmissy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithmissy/ FB:https://www.facebook.com/DesignWithMissy  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/200803  FB: https://www.facebook.com/Werbrichs  Website: https://www.instagram.com/werbrichs_landscaping/  And you'll hear from Cynthia Lacy, a seasoned designer with decades of experience who realized she had fallen into what she calls "routine without purpose" — and how construction management gave her spark for the business back. Find out more about Cynthia here: Website: https://www.lacyandco.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacyflips/ We talk about: Why so many designers undercharge The difference between scope of work and proposals Trusting your gut on projects Boundaries with contractors and clients Why systems create confidence The reality of managing construction projects And what designers actually need help with behind the scenes If you've ever wondered whether construction management coaching is really worth it, or whether you're "experienced enough already", I think these conversations will answer that better than I ever could myself.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/construction-management-coaching-interior-designers

  3. Sep 1

    How Interior Designers and Architects Work Together on Successful Projects

    Most exceptional homes aren't created by one professional working alone. They happen when architects and interior designers collaborate well—and that only works when both people understand their role, communicate clearly, and respect each other's expertise. In this episode, I'm breaking down the real dynamics behind successful designer-architect relationships: how projects get set up, where friction usually starts, how to handle disagreements professionally, and why understanding the difference between "outside in" and "inside out" thinking changes everything. Because this relationship isn't about hierarchy. It's about building better projects together.   You'll Learn: Why the best projects happen when both perspectives are fully respected The biggest mistakes designers make in architect relationships Why role clarity early on prevents friction, fee issues, and project delays   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designer-architect-collaboration

  4. Aug 25

    The One Hour a Week That Keeps a Construction Project From Falling Apart

    A construction project can feel like it's running perfectly fine, until suddenly, it isn't. A few missed conversations, an unanswered question, or a decision that quietly gets pushed can create delays that were completely avoidable. In this episode, I'm talking about one simple part of my construction management process that I recently removed from a project…and very quickly brought back. The client's reaction confirmed exactly why I believe it matters so much. If you're managing construction projects and wondering how to create more accountability, better communication, and calmer clients, this one is for you. You'll Learn: Why weekly site meetings prevent avoidable delays and communication breakdowns. The difference between active management and reactive consulting on construction projects. How weekly meetings and Friday updates create accountability, clarity, and client confidence.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/weekly-site-meetings-construction-project-management

  5. Aug 18

    Why Interior Designers Undercharge for Construction Management — And How to Fix It

    If you've ever finished a construction project feeling exhausted, overextended, and quietly underpaid, I want you to hear me when I say this: the problem is probably not your efficiency. It's your pricing. In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the biggest mistakes I see interior designers make over and over again — folding construction management into their design fee instead of treating it like the completely separate professional service it actually is. We're talking about what construction management truly includes: site visits, contractor coordination, change orders, real-time problem solving, client communication, project documentation, and the constant availability these projects require from you. Because when you actually sit down and calculate the hours honestly, the undercharging becomes impossible to ignore. I'm also walking you through where this conversation should begin — and spoiler alert, it's not the proposal. It starts on your website, continues through your discovery call, and gets reinforced all the way through your scope of work before you ever present a fee. If construction projects constantly leave you feeling like the math isn't mathing, this episode will help you understand why and how to fix it. You'll learn: Why construction management should always be priced separately from design What designers consistently forget to account for in their fees How to introduce construction management pricing before the proposal stage Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/construction-management-fee-interior-design

  6. Aug 11

    Why Unreasonable Hospitality Is the Missing Piece in Your Interior Design Business with Rick Campos

    What if the thing that sets your design business apart isn't the design itself? In this episode, Renee sits down with Rick Campos of Design Biz Survival Guide to talk about something the design industry doesn't discuss enough: hospitality. Not restaurant hospitality. Human hospitality. The kind that makes clients feel seen, remembered, and emotionally connected to the experience of working with you. Inspired by the book Unreasonable Hospitality, Rick shares how designers can elevate their client experience through thoughtful touchpoints, small moments of surprise, and genuine attention to detail — often without spending much money at all. From custom presentations for clients' children to a private porta potty on a construction site, this conversation is packed with examples of what clients actually remember long after the project is over. If you've ever wondered what truly separates a luxury design experience from everyone else offering beautiful rooms, this episode is for you. You'll learn: Why hospitality matters more than ever in luxury interior design How small client touchpoints create lasting emotional impact The difference between checking a box and creating a memorable experience Find out more about Rick here:  Website: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/business-coaching-for-interior-designers/  Get an inside look at this year's Design Biz Retreat: https://youtu.be/sz_czKvZ3Wg?si=zkr2K-nN4zqDHXD5   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/unreasonable-hospitality-missing-piece

  7. Aug 4

    How to Handle a Difficult Interior Design Client and When to Walk Away

    Today, I want to talk about something that every designer faces, sometimes more than once, but we don't talk about it enough. And that is what to do when a client becomes difficult mid-project. Now, I'm not talking about beforehand. Today, I mean after the contract is signed, after the project is underway, after you're already in it.   I want to talk about when the dynamic starts to shift, and you're not quite sure whether to manage through it or to get out.   And then the harder question: how do you know when it's time to actually fire a client? And what does that even look like in practice?   You'll learn: How to recognize the difference between a difficult project and a difficult client. How to reset communication, strengthen documentation, and protect your authority before a relationship reaches the breaking point. Know when walking away is the most professional decision, and how to do it without damaging your reputation or your business. Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-handle-a-difficult-interior-design-client

  8. Jul 28

    How to Find a Contractor (Before You Desperately Need One)

    If you've ever had a prospective client reach out to you about a construction project, or you're at the beginning of a construction project and you're thinking, okay, I need a contractor. Where do I even start? This episode is for you because finding the right contractor is one of the most important decisions on any construction project. You get it right, and everything that follows is easier. You get it wrong, and no amount of good design or careful documentation or incredibly well-thought-out processes or client communication will fully fix it. So today, I want to walk you through exactly how I approach this, from finding names worth considering all the way through the vetting conversation that tells me whether someone belongs on this project with me or not.   You'll Learn:   Learn the six best places to find trusted contractors—and why Google shouldn't be your starting point. Discover the interview questions that reveal how a contractor really communicates, manages projects, and works with designers. Identify the biggest contractor red flags before they become expensive problems on your job site.   Mentioned in this episode: Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout  Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-find-the-right-contractor

See All (297)

4.9
out of 5
85 Ratings

About

Welcome to Only Girl On The Jobsite, the podcast for designers ready to step up their project management game and make confident decisions on the jobsite. I'm your host, Renée Biery, an interior designer with 30 years of experience navigating the world of construction. This podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the ups and downs of jobsite management, working with contractors, and overcoming common pitfalls that can derail a project. Each episode will empower you with actionable advice and real-world lessons to make your projects run smoothly. Ready to elevate your jobsite skills? Start listening, and discover how you can make every project a success. Learn more at www.deVignierdesign.com.

Information