Business idea: design bureau

Recent years can be safely called the period of formation of intellectual startups. Enterprising people no longer want to "hang around" in stalls and shops, they do not like the wholesale "buy/sell". If you look at forums about entrepreneurial endeavors and preferences, you can read fairly typical posts:

"Think . If the idea "shoots", I will easily earn a million.

“I dream of a science-intensive business - of my own laboratory for the synthesis of new materials. I try myself in experiments on heavy-duty glass. It is a pity that there are not enough scientific competencies and equipment, because, if possible, a patent can be easily sold for ten million "greens".

And finally: "Friends, I would like to open a design office in my city ... Maybe there are real people who have raised such a business from scratch?".

In fairness, there are not so many thoughts about design bureaus in the open spaces of entrepreneurial forums. “People want commodity-money certainty even in startups,” argues Igor Malyugin, an expert on small business. - And here with it all the same a problem. Although, in my opinion, the design office has a high chance of success, if, of course, there are professional skills for this. In short, this business is for those who understand the essence of the things they plan to design.

Choice of direction

It is clear that all the goods around us are designed by someone, and by specialists of a narrow profile. After all, the drawings of a bicycle are not "drawn" by an architect, and the electrical circuits are not "created" by a designer. Therefore, when opening your own design bureau, it is logical to rely on the knowledge gained at the institute.

By the way, there are successful stories when a person from a “different opera” became the head of a design company, but he understood the prospects of the chosen direction. Be that as it may, but project business, first of all, depends on orders, therefore, a novice businessman will first of all have to take care of finding customers. The following areas have the highest probability of success, judging by the review of the forums:

• design of buildings, treatment facilities for water supply and sewerage, engineering networks;
• development of drawings of components and parts for machine builders;
• design of electrical devices.

The main obstacle on the way to your design bureau is "paper". According to Alexei Shchukin, director of the design organization Region, “creating such a business is more difficult than opening an ordinary retail outlet or copying someone else's franchise concept. It is required to obtain permission from the SRO (self-regulatory organization) for design work that affects the safety of buildings and structures ... ".

It is understandable, people's lives depend on the quality of the drawings.

Be sociable

Let's just say that at the initial stage it is extremely problematic. And this is by no means due to corruption, which, alas, is widespread in this area, but to the understandable caution of the customer. Not only is design work not cheap, but errors in drawings can lead to dangerous consequences. In short, the entrepreneur must either have initially, or earn a strong reputation as quickly as possible.

“I made a career from a draftsman to a project manager,” says businessman Ivan Kozlovsky. - I was well known in the leadership of the design institute, therefore, having opened my own design bureau, I received orders. Although, to be honest, my departure for “my own bread” was not welcomed.

“Therefore, the main direction of the efforts of a person who is going to open a project business is to establish connections,” says forum member Nitonise. - It is necessary to actively use any opportunities for establishing contacts. Sociability, activity, charm, etc. come to the fore. Constantly being in the field of view of influential people, it is easier to make the necessary acquaintances yourself. But even from scratch, all this is possible, but significant efforts must be made. ”

To start - two million

Knowledgeable people are sure that solid money is needed to start, at least two million rubles. This amount is made up of the following expenses:

• SRO admission - up to 400 thousand rubles in several areas;
• semi-annual office rent of at least 70-100 sq. meters for 10-15 employees - 300 thousand rubles at 50 thousand per month;
• expenses for furniture, computers, scanners and - 300 thousand rubles;
• 1 million rubles - three-month salary of employees until the first payment for the first stage of design is received.

As practice shows, the team of employees should be at least 12-14 people, since without this it is impossible to fulfill even medium-sized contracts for 3-4 million rubles, not to mention large ones. At the same time, the portfolio of orders is considered satisfactory if the company is provided with various works for 5-6 million rubles a year.

“Usually, up to 50% of the money earned is spent on rent, taxes and operating expenses for equipment,” Kozlovsky shares his experience. - And although I personally earn quite well, up to 100 thousand rubles a month, I do not consider myself rich. But the head of the design bureau has a huge responsibility, including under the law.”

According to him, it is not difficult to open a design bureau, after all, a company can be bought on a turnkey basis, but it is better not to enter this business without experience and reputation. He estimates the optimal age for starting at 35-40 years old, when there is at least 10 years of professional experience behind him. And even in this case, it is not necessary to count on advance payments.

Note that each case has its own specifics and its own calculations, but it is hardly possible to count on a smaller amount of initial expenses.

In general, despite the initial difficulties, the design office is an interesting, intelligent and promising business, while the current economic turn towards domestic products within the framework is a good basis for both starting and further development.