For an interior designer, putting together a fee proposal is never straightforward, as every project is unique. But here’s a quick guide:
1. Fees as a % of Project Cost
A client should estimate the overall cost of their project (construction, materials, furniture). Given inflation in recent years, and VAT – which often gets forgotten – this figure is often underestimated!
An interior designer offering full design services (including furniture procurement and project management) will typically charge fees totalling between 15-20% of total project costs. If you’re hiring an architect as well then expect professional fees to total 25% of project cost.
This fee percentage varies based on the project’s scale and complexity. Larger projects with custom design elements require higher fees than a small renovation with standard finishes.
Interior designers’ fees can be higher than you think because there is SO MUCH work involved designing and delivering a project.
Interior designers add a lot of value through their designs, and help clients avoid costly mistakes buying or building the wrong thing. We also save time-poor clients hundreds of hours by overseeing a renovation project.
However, lots of projects don’t have the budget for an interior designer, so the second charging model can help:
2. Fees based on an Hourly Rate
Designers can charge an hourly rate based on estimated hours required. A designer’s hourly rate generally ranges from £90-£140/hr.
For projects with tight budgets, an interior designer can provide lighter consultancy services on an hourly basis. This way, you can draw on the expertise of an interior designer to help you source the right materials and products while making your budget stretch.
As a client, figuring out whether and how your project budget might allow you to work with an interior designer is a great first step
There’s then more to consider: will you be buying materials or furniture yourself, or are you expecting an interior designer to oversee this for you? If so there are handling fees and trade discounts to think about. I’ll write about this in another post soon!