How To Charge as an Interior Decorator

A good rule of thumb is to start by considering your experience and expertise. If you’re just starting out in the field, you may want to consider charging slightly less than more experienced decorators. However, if you have years of experience or are considered an expert in your field, you may be able to charge more.

Finally, the type of project you’re working on will also affect your hourly rate. Simple projects such as redecorating one room may be charged at a lower rate than more complex projects like designing an entire home.

In addition to charging by the hour, some interior decorators also charge by the square foot. This method is typically used for larger projects, such as redesigning an entire home or office space.

When charging by the square foot, most decorators will estimate the total cost of the project by multiplying the number of square feet by their hourly rate. For example, if a decorator charges $100 per hour and the project is 1000 square feet, they would estimate the cost of the project to be $100,000.

However, it’s important to note that this method is not always accurate. For instance, it doesn’t take into account other factors, such as the cost of materials. Similarly, time spent on design work outside of the actual installation might make for a difficult estimation.

When working on a design project, interior decorators will often create a “mood board” to help their clients visualize the finished product. Mood boards typically consist of images, fabric swatches, paint samples, and other elements that represent the overall feel of the space.

Creating a mood board is a time-consuming process, as it requires research and careful selection of materials. As such, most decorators charge an hourly rate for this service. However, some may charge a flat fee based on the size or complexity of the project.

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 it’s 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.

Next, let’s talk about the typical cost per room in the world of interior decorating. This is a very common inquiry, but unfortunately, there is no easy answer. The truth is, the cost of decorating a room varies greatly depending on the size, complexity, and overall style of the space.

This method is not always accurate. As we mentioned before, there are a number of factors that can affect the cost of a project. The size of the room, the complexity of the design, and the materials being used are just 3 examples.

It’s also worth touching on the topic of travel time. Many decorators choose to charge for travel time, as it can be a significant expense, depending on the location of the project.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the basics, let’s talk about how to actually charge clients for your interior decorating services.

This is probably the most common pricing model in the interior decorating world. As we touched on earlier, many decorators choose to charge by the hour because it’s simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.

Another option is to charge a higher hourly rate for the first few hours of work, followed by a lower rate for every hour after that. This is a great way to incentivize your clients to book more hours. For example, you could charge $100 per hour for the first 4 hours and then $50 per hour for every hour after that.

This is another popular pricing model, especially for larger projects. Rather than charging by the hour, many decorators choose instead to charge a flat rate for the entire project.

When quoting a flat rate, we recommend breaking down the cost into smaller chunks. This way, your client can better understand where their money is going. For example, you could charge $500 for design work, $250 for materials, and $250 for labor.

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. It really depends on your unique business model and what you’re comfortable with.

Some decorators prefer the flat rate pricing model because it’s simpler and easier to understand. Others prefer the hourly rate because it allows them to better customize their quotes for each client.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which pricing model works best for your business. Experiment with both and see what gives you the best results.

If you’re still stuck between flat rate pricing vs. an hourly fee, you could always mix and match! For example, you could charge a flat rate for design work and then an hourly fee for labor.

This is a great way to get the best of both worlds. You can offer your clients a simple, straightforward quote while still being able to customize your rates for each project.

This pricing model is most commonly used by commercial decorators. If you’re working on a large project, such as an office or retail space, charging by the square footage is a great way to ensure that you’re getting paid fairly.

This is a common pricing model used by high-end decorators. Rather than charging an hourly rate or flat fee, many decorators choose instead to charge a percentage of the total project cost.

For example, you could charge 20% of the total project cost for design work and 15% of the total project cost for labor. This allows you to better customize your quotes for each client.

When quoting a percentage price, we recommend breaking down the cost into smaller chunks. This way, your client can better understand where their money is going. For example, you could charge 20% for design work, 15% for materials, and 15% for labor.

Now that you know how to charge for your services, it’s important to keep in mind the industry standard. This will help ensure that you’re charging a fair price for your services.

So, make sure to do some research and see what prices your local competition is charging. This will give you a good starting point for setting your own rates.

When setting your rates, we recommend starting at the higher end of the spectrum. This will give you some wiggle room to negotiate with clients who are looking for a bargain.

Now that we’ve gone over the various ways you can charge for your services, let’s take a look at a sample fee schedule. This will give you an idea of how to put together your own pricing structure.

*Please note that this is only a sample fee schedule. Your prices may vary depending on your location, experience, and other factors.*

Pricing your services as an interior decorator can be a tough task. However, it’s important to find a pricing model that works for you and your business. Experiment with different rates and see what gives you the best results! And don’t forget to keep in mind the industry standard when setting your own rates.

Do you have any tips for success when it comes to pricing your services? Share them with us in the comments below!