# How Raising Your Fees Creates Freedom in an Architecture Practice | EP684 Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403/how-raising-your-fees-creates-freedom-in-an-architecture-practice-ep684 Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403/how-raising-your-fees-creates-freedom-in-an-architecture-practice-ep684.md Podcast: [Business of Architecture Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403) Published: 2026-04-27T13:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/podcast/684-why-undercharging-is-ruining-your-life-as-an-architect/ Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/businessofarchitecture/684_Chris_Smart_-_Up_1.mp3?dest-id=122591 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403/episodes/how-raising-your-fees-creates-freedom-in-an-architecture-practice-ep684 Duration seconds: 2802 ## Resource End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Chris Smart didn't start out confident about money. He undercharged, worked nonstop, and felt the stress spill into his home. In this conversation with Enoch Sears, he shares the turning points that helped him move from survival mode to more space and better clients—without losing his love for design. You'll hear what changed as he moved from "be competitive" thinking to a clearer view of value, service, and faith. It's part business, part inner work, and honest about what it costs to wear every hat alone. If you run a small firm and feel stretched thin, this episode will challenge what you call "normal." On today's episode, you'll discover: The quiet belief that keeps talented architects stuck at "drafter money" The mindset shift that made higher fees feel clean—and eased pressure at home Why "more projects" can feel safer… and how that can become the trap To learn more about Chris, visit his website: https://chrissmartdesigns.com/ ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403/episodes/how-raising-your-fees-creates-freedom-in-an-architecture-practice-ep684/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/business-of-architecture-podcast-389403/how-raising-your-fees-creates-freedom-in-an-architecture-practice-ep684.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.