Most people (probably) wouldn’t fix their own deeply troubled toilet or perform a DIY root canal…because we recognize hiring a professional is well worth it. So why do many people still balk at the idea of bringing in a professional to design their homes? The answer may be that there’s often a major lack of clarity when it comes to what designers charge, so you can feel like you’re authorizing a major splurge before even being able to glance at the price tag. The truth is, when it comes to interior design, there’s no one way of calculating the bill—some designers charge hourly, some a flat fee, some a markup on items they purchase for you (often using special, trade-only discounts). That said, there are several factors that come into play—considerations that can help you better understand just what hiring a professional might entail.
But first, the reason for such disparity: Many designers are self-taught, and even ones with a formal education don’t often receive the kind of business guidance that accompanies other professions. “Don’t even get me started about how [the business of design] is literally THE most important part of your business and that design schools barely touch on this at all,” says Hermosa Beach, California-based designer Kate Lester. “When I started my company my first priority was drafting a solid contract and making sure that our fee structure was aligned with what I felt our services were worth, and also aligned with what our local competition was charging. We bill hourly for all design time and it’s in increments of 15 minutes. A text is 15 minutes!”
Charging hourly was a sanity-saving move on Lester’s part, because it cut back on never-ending email and text chains, plus those out-of-control meetings that can derail an afternoon, if not an entire day. It also allows the project to proceed as smoothly and efficiently as possible for everyone involved.
Source by – House Beautiful