15 Questions to Ask a Branding Agency Before You Sign
The questions that reveal who will do the work, how the process runs and what you will receive.
A chemistry call is your chance to see how an agency really operates. These questions get past the portfolio.
About the team
- Who will lead my project day to day?
- Will the people in this meeting do the work?
- Is any of the work outsourced or passed to juniors?
- How many projects does the lead run at once?
These matter because of a common pattern in agencies: senior people win the work and less experienced people deliver it. See senior-led versus junior-led.
About the process
- What happens in the first week?
- Where does strategy fit before design?
- How many concepts and feedback rounds are included?
- How do you handle disagreement about direction?
About deliverables
- Exactly what files and documents will I receive?
- Do I own the intellectual property on final payment?
- Are fonts and image licences included?
- What do the guidelines cover?
About commercials
- What is the total price and payment schedule?
- What counts as out of scope?
- What support is available after delivery?
Reading the answers
Specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones are not. Ask for a client reference with a similar size and stage to yours, and check the agency on Companies House if you want to confirm how long it has traded.
For our shortlist of agencies, see 5 of the Best Branding Agencies in London for Founders at https://bestbrandingagencylondon.co.uk/.
