How Much Do Interior Decorators Mark Up Furniture
Another common question we get is, How much do interior decorators mark up furniture?
In general, most decorators will markup furniture anywhere from 20% to 50%. However, this varies depending on the item and the store its being purchased from. For example, a piece of furniture from a high-end designer may be marked up less than one from a more affordable store.
Furthermore, some decorators may offer discounts on furniture if they purchase it in bulk or through their trade account. This is why its always best to ask your decorator for a breakdown of their pricing before making any decisions!
How To Charge As An Interior Decorator
As an interior decorator, one of the most common questions you will be asked is how much you charge. This can be a difficult question to answer, as there are many factors to consider when determining your rates. In this article, well discuss some tips on how to charge as an interior decorator, as well as provide some guidance on what to consider when setting your rates!
Before we get started, did you know that weve written the ULTIMATE guide on how to become an interior decorator? Check it out here!
Characteristics Of A Good Fee Schedule
A good pricing schedule needs to be transparent to the client. Guide them on what they should expect, the duration required to deliver the services, and compensate them in case of any inconveniences. A happy customer is a better client remember? So, allow your customer to be the king for a while. Then, include all the requirements that you depend on to deliver quality services such as furniture, fittings, and lightings.
As you are looking to revamp that living room, bathroom, or childrens rooms with new paint and décor or fill that empty space be clear and realistic. Be clear on what can be taken on, and narrow them to the design prices. Include your timeline in the schedule. Do you charge on an hourly basis or on a fixed rate? Be specific on that to avoid confusion. Let the client pay the vendors and contractors directly as you bill your fees separately to enhance transparency.
See also Interior Design Concepts
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Hidden Costs To Be Aware Of
There are quite a few costs that might not be in your initial quote received from the Interior Designer.
This would be one of the reasons that it is SO important to read your contract to see what other charges can be added as the project progresses.
In defense of the Interior Designer, it would be near impossible to foresee some of the extra costs that could arise, like unexpected delays due to weather, errors, vendor vacations, etc.
What Do Your Competitors Do
Some interior designers advertise their rates on their website, whereas others don’t. Do a google search to check out the other interior designers in your area, and go check out their website.
Also look at their Houzz profile too: there is a section for ball park prices that they charge, so this will give you some idea.
Even if they don’t advertise their prices, look at the way they set their stall out: are they appealing to high-end clients, or perhaps middle of the road? This can give you an insight about what the competition are doing.
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How Much Do Interior Designers Charge
June 24, 2016
Well, maybe the actual question should be how much should interior designers charge? Ive gotten this question several times over the years from readers who are thinking of starting their own businesses. Most of you know, Ive been officially out of business for a while now . So, while Im not sure my answer is the most up-to-date or qualified one to offer, Im happy to be candid with you.
image: BHG
Let me start by restating that Im not a designer by degree. Mine is in PR, so I technically worked as a decorator. While some would say the degree determines the price you charge, I believe thats quickly changing in todays design market. I personally believe that price is most determined by demand. And, thanks to the exposure that the internet can give you, demand now comes in a variety of different ways. In my experience, having a blog gave me enough credibility to not start at the bottom of the pay scale .
So, heres the dealand why youre probably actually reading this post: I charged anywhere from $75 to $125/hour when I was doing design work. Sometimes, I billed clients hourly and other times, I guestimated the number of project hours and billed them one amount up front.
And, heres the kicker: I made almost zero profit.
Yep, next to nothing. I dont think my hourly rate was out of line, but heres where I believe I messed up :
-I rarely charged for consultations. There are differing opinions on this, but time is money.
Design Supply And Install 2000+
This would suit a total project budget over £20,000.
This should be tailored to your specific needs and project but could include:
- all of the above plus:
- project management of builders/decorators
- 3D imagery
- a fully co-ordinated service with minimal input or effort required from you.
Here at Design for Me we can match you with the best interior designers for your project and arrange initial consultations for free. Use the form below to get started and well be happy to help!
Emily Design for Me
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Is An Interior Designer Worth It
Should you use an interior designer? If you can afford it and the appearance of your home is important to you, then yes, it could be a great idea. Some areas where the services of an interior designer could tangibly prove their worth is if:
What Your Vevano Home Design Includes
For a low starting rate of $900 , your design includes all of the following with no extra fees:
Three-Person Design Team: Our design services provide you with an entire team for your project. This includes the expert lead designer, a project design coordinator, and an architectural drafter.
Concept Boards & 3D Renderings: One of the best benefits of working with an interior designer is seeing your design before you commit to your project. Our design team carefully crafts a concept board and 3D rendering based on your preferences and unique style. We also provide unlimited revisions until the design is exactly what you want!
Architectural Drawings: At no additional cost, your design also includes detailed floor plans and elevations that can help you or your contractor during installation. Additionally, our designers are available throughout the entire project to answer questions or provide assistance remotely.
Personal Shopping & Exclusive Deals: Not only can your retainer be applied to product purchases, but our designers can source and order almost all the products you need to achieve your vision. You dont have to worry about ordering the wrong size or forgetting small detail piecesyour designer has you completely covered! Plus, you can get exclusive access to designer and to-the-trade products and possible discounts on your purchases.
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How To Charge Clients For Interior Decorating Services
Now that weve gone over some of the basics, lets talk about how to actually charge clients for your interior decorating services.
As we mentioned before, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It really depends on your unique business model and what youre comfortable with. With that in mind, lets take a look at some of the most popular ways interior decorators tend to charge for their services
Forecasting Interior Design Fees For Budgets
One of the most difficult and perhaps even contentious issues in design is how much should design services cost a client? Or at the very least, how do you estimate the cost?
There is a variety of ways that designers and decorators charge depending on the type of work being preformed and the skill level and experience of the provider. Many design professionals charge by the hour which is used to cover not only their time and knowledge but also to pay their rent, keep the lights on, put paper in the printer etc. But for clients, the challenge with this common billing style is how many hours do you estimate so that you can be on budget?
For anyone who knows me, they will know I am practical and fairly conservative when it comes to money. I dont like not knowing how much things will cost and I certainly never agree to anything open-ended when it comes to hiring other professionals. So I am well aware of the uneasiness that arises from not really knowing what a designer will cost overall.
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Examples Of Interview Questions To Ask Your Designers:
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What level of education do you have? What certifications do you have?
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What experience do you have working on projects like mine?
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What services do you offer?
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What is your style? What designers do you like personally?
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Who is your main clientele/types of projects youve worked on in the past?
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What do you prioritize when planning a budget?
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How often will we be meeting, and how will we be communicating?
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How do you charge, and can you work with my budget?
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Who will be working on my project and how will they be selected?
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How will you present your design concept and ideas?
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What happens if I change my mind on design details at any point in the project?
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What builders/contractors/architects do you work with?
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What happens if I have to put my project on hold?
In your interviews, youll be asking these questions to find out if these designers are qualified to complete your project, if their style is going to align with what youre looking for, if youll be able to afford their services, what it will look like to work with them and, ultimately, if they mesh with your personality. In a way, its very similar to dating. You want to make sure that the designer you choose will be the best fit to carry out this investment for your home and life.
Is Hiring An Interior Designer Worth The Cost
Having a knowledgeable professional to help you navigate the design process can make things less stressful and will often save you time and money. If you find that you are particularly indecisive, dont have much time on your hands or are looking to undertake a large project, an interior designer can be well worth the added cost.
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Getting Inspiration For Your Home Decorating Project
In the digital era you are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to getting inspiration for any interior decor job.
A decade ago you may have been stuck looking at interior magazines – which are still out there obviously, but there is You can start by looking at apps like and and following interior designers, stylists and decorators you admire. Paint pros Dulux also have an app that lets you match paint colours on the fly. Or how about IKEAs 3D Living Room app that allows you to virtually furnish any room with products from their catalogue.
A 3 Bhk Flat Interior Design Cost
If you own an apartment and are looking to do up the interiors of a 3BHK flat the cost varies depending on the square feet. This can range anywhere between 7 Lakh to 12 Lakh and if its of premium quality. And youre looking to deck up the place it could cost up to 15 Lakh depending on the quality of laminate, designs, finishes and also paint
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How To Calculate Interior Design Fees
You recently opened your interior design business and you are panicking about how to set a selling price for your services? Or maybe you are a homeowner and want to estimate how much an interior design service will cost you?
Its alright because every starting endeavor faces some challenges. Dont open up the spreadsheet yet because first you need to understand how pricing works for Interior Designing for homes.
There are a dozen things involved in interior designing fees such as material cost, labor cost, overheads, etc. You charge the clients for the product, service, and labor cost and then you pay your workers for their hard work.
Its a give-and-take kind of situation, so you need to keep track of how much is coming in and how much is going out.
Dont forget the cost of printing, sampling, office supplies, business development, website, gas, licenses, travel, phone calls to the clients, and other costs. These are your overheads.
Now that you have an idea of the types of costs involved in a project, lets talk about how to calculate the fee:
Hiring An Interior Decorator
When hiring an interior decorator you want someone who will work with you to create an interior environment that suits your sense of style and personality. Ideally it should be a collaborative relationship. For these reasons, an interior decorator hourly rates should be a secondary consideration. Most importantly ask if they:
- Have the same taste as you
- Listen to your ideas
- Have a portfolio that reflects your taste
- Are available when you need them
You should feel comfortable with an interior decorator and confident that they can help you achieve the results you want. How can you know they are right for you until you’ve worked with them? Most interior decorators choose their profession because they love what they do, so if you find one whose previous work appeals to you, you will probably be able to work with them easily and enjoy the process.
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How Do I Establish My Interior Design Fees
You have created a business plan and decided what type of company to form. You are beginning to establish your client base. Now is the time to consider how to establish a fee structure. You are probably beginning to wonder, How much do interior designers charge? What is the typical interior design fee structure? Should you charge an hourly rate, or should your design fee be by the room or by the square foot?
There are many methods of interior design services billing. We will help you understand the options and hopefully choose the one that is best for each of your projects.
Methods of Interior Design Services Billing
What do interior designers charge and what is a typical interior design fee structure? Interior designers provide such a wide range of services, it is often hard to know where to begin. One way to start is to consider the space size and the scope of the work involved for each project.
Below we discuss the possibilities. You might consider a mix of some of the options to provide more flexibility for you and your client.
Interior Design Consultation Fee
Interior designers often charge an initial consultation fee. Based on an hour of the designers time, it can range from $50 to $250. During this initial meeting, you find out about the scope of the project, as well as your clients tastes, lifestyle and budget. Then you start putting together ideas for each room, which may include up to three concepts each.
How Much Does An Interior Designer Cost
When starting a new home renovation project, many homeowners wonder if its worth the extra expense to hire a designer. Even though designers can be instrumental in achieving your vision and reducing costly mistakes, it can be a challenge justifying the interior designer cost if youre on a tight budget.
Thankfully, theres no set answer to How much does an interior designer cost? because of the many ways designers can charge for their services. With the right designer and price model, your design can even be free.
In this article, we will break down how much hiring an interior designer costs and how you can work with an interior designer on a tight budget.
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Diy Vs Hiring A Professional Interior Decorator Or Designer
For most projects, youll want to hire an interior decorator or designer.
A professional can:
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Use their expertise to create a design that works for you
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Simplify the project to a set of definable steps
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Save you time by relying on their insider knowledge
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Take advantage of software and other tools
When youre ready to interview interior designers near you, plan to get three quotes and ask how they usually set rates.
