So - you've had an initial visit and your designer is about to present the Scope of Work (or SOW for short).. what can you expect when it comes to 'design fees'? What is involved and how can you prepare yourself for this 'final budget' item?
Well - unfortunately - if you like exact numbers - you are not going to find them in this blog post.. in fact, you are not going to find similar numbers from one designer to the next. When it comes to providing this type of service, especially recently, there is no 'one right way' or 'one size fits all' strategy for compiling and pricing the variety of services that an interior designer/decorator offers. A designer's fees can vary from experience, to project size, to community.. even from state to state - there may be two designers doing similar projects with different price tags based on each designer's processes and systems.. Bottom line - there is no set market price for design services. However, you can educate yourself by being prepared to ask the questions that will help you to know who you should work with and when you should run - watch out for the red flags!!!
Some questions to be mindful of at an initial consultation:
Does the designer charge an hourly rate or a flat fee?
What types of services does the designer offer?
What is included in the flat fee of each space?
Have you clearly communicated your budget?
Have you clearly communicated your expectations?
Can you afford to work with the designer for the entire project all at once, or should you break the tasks into phases?
Can YOU complete the tasks that the designer is telling you he/she will be taking care of as part of the service, in the same timeframe and with the same efficiency?
The above questions will help you to define some boundaries and to set-up expectations for the relationship that you and the designer are about to enter into.. if anything causes reservations - it should be a point of conversation.. otherwise - these will be the same pitfalls that you will run into throughout the duration of the project.
Knowing what to expect and understanding that you are paying for a service (that might not be as evident until the project begins or even culminates) is half the battle. Want to know more about how to work with an interior designer and/or what to expect when it comes to design fees? Give me a call - I would love to talk you through the process 724-579-3511
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