[ahoyhere]

Worked for me, for big name clients like Ford, Pepsi, TBWA/Chiat Day, Bear Stearns, etc., as well as smaller ones. We really met for more than 2 hours, but after the initial contract was signed for the proposal. That includes lots of investigation time. My proposals included specific implementation details, milestones, and usually wireframes.

I was amused to find out that my architect/builder does the same -- I'm paying him $5,000 to dig holes, poke holes in things, survey, price materials, order samples, talk to craftsmen, deal with the planning board etc. and at the end if I decide I don't want to use those plans with him, I can use it to competitively price other architect/builders. But chances are very high I won't, because he's delivering exactly the level of detail and care I want to see.