Interior Design Fees, Explained: Pricing Models, Timelines and What’s Included

One of the biggest questions clients have is how interior design fees work and what affects the total project cost. As designers, we don’t just make spaces look beautiful; we help you invest wisely in one of your most important assets: your home.

If you’re planning a design, renovation, or styling/decoration project, this guide will help you understand the most common pricing models, how payment stages usually work, what drives costs up or down, and how to get the best value from the process.

1. Pricing models you’ll see.

Most designers use one (or a mix) of these structures:

• Percentage of total project cost

  A percentage fee based on the overall project value (commonly 10–25% depending on scope, complexity, and studio). Often used for full renovations or turnkey projects.

• Fixed fee (flat fee)

  A set amount for a clearly defined scope (rooms, deliverables, number of revisions, site visits). Great for clarity and budgeting.

• Hourly rate

  Billing for actual time spent. Often used for consultations, partial scopes, add-ons, or when the brief is evolving.

• Hybrid

  For example, a fixed fee for concept + design and hourly for project management and procurement, or a percentage during implementation.

Tip: Whatever the model, ask for what’s included, what triggers extra fees, and how changes are handled.

2. How payments are usually scheduled

Once the proposal is approved, payments are commonly split across milestones or project phases, such as :

• 40% at contract signing (project start).

• 40% at design presentation/start of works.

• 20% at project completion.

Other common options:

• 50% at project start, 50% at delivery (often for styling/decoration projects).

• A percentage per phase (Concept → Design Development → Procurement → Installation).

• Hourly/monthly invoicing for rolling scopes.

  Tip: Purchases for materials, furniture, and contractors are typically paid separately by the client (often in advance).
  
  

3. What drives cost up or down?

• Complexity & detail: custom joinery, built-ins, lighting plans, structural changes, permits.

• Size & scope: full home vs. a single room; design-only vs. design + project management.

• Finish level: entry-level, mid-range, or premium materials and brands.

• Location & logistics: supplier availability, shipping times, site access, local labour.

• Decision speed: delayed approvals and late changes can extend timelines and increase costs.
  
  

4. Budgeting with clarity

Common ways to build a realistic budget:

• By square metre/foot (for early estimates).

• By room (bedroom/living room vs. kitchen/bathroom).

• As a hybrid of the above.

What matters most is transparency: your proposal should clearly list designer fees, likely third-party costs (trades, materials, logistics), and what’s excluded.

5. What’s typically included in design fees?

These should be confirmed in your proposal/contract:

✅ Concept & creative direction.

✅ Space planning and layouts.

✅ Selections: finishes, fixtures, furniture, soft furnishings.

✅ Documentation for suppliers/installers (as applicable).

✅ Project coordination and budget guidance (if included).

✅ Styling & installation (for decoration/styling scopes).

Often excluded (or billed separately):

❌ Contractor/labour costs, permits, engineering.

❌ Delivery, warehousing, and installation by third parties.

❌ Additional site visits, rush work, redesigns after approval.

❌ 3D visualisations, detailed technical drawings (unless specified).

❌ Procurement mark-ups or handling fees (varies by studio).

6. A quick timeline overview (typical ranges)

Every project is unique, but as a very general guide (no structural changes):

• Discovery & proposal: 1–2 weeks.

• Concept & design: 2–6 weeks (longer with custom joinery).

• Procurement: 4–8+ weeks (lead times vary).

• Installation:

  Bedrooms/Living rooms: 1–2 months.

  Bathrooms: 2–4 months.

  Kitchens: 4–6+ months.

Your responsiveness and decisiveness directly impact timing and costs.

Working with an interior designer should feel clear, collaborative, and exciting. When we align on budget, scope, and timelines from day one, and communicate well throughout, the result is a home that not only looks beautiful but works beautifully for your life.

Thinking about a project? I’m happy to talk through your goals and outline a tailored design for your space!

See you in the next Blog Post! 👋

Paola.