Designers’ fee schedules work in all sorts of manners and many designers use different pricing schematics based on what type of design work they will be doing on a particular project. Here are the most common ways in which designers bill for their services:

Retainer

Retainers are usually employed for any type of design project that is not consultation based. This retainer is agreed upon by the designer and the client and usually is set up to cover the designer’s and designer’s employees time in preparing the initial design plan. Retainers are used in conjunction with other fees listed below.

Fee Based

After the scope of work is defined, the designer or firm will submit a proposal to the client. This is a set price that is to be paid incrementally throughout the lifespan of the project, typically monthly or at set milestones in the project (deliveries, construction completion.) The firm determines their fee based on several factors: projected employee hours, costs, square footage and other factors. This can be dangerous if the project is under-estimated.

Square Foot Based

Same as fee based, but price is set only by square footage, no other factors.

Hourly

Depending on the designer’s education, experience, skill level and where you are located in the nation, an hourly fee can fluctuate from $50-$500+/hour. Hourly fees are usually charged when the services are largely consulting in nature, and on an as-needed basis (selecting paint colors, rendering floor plans, product selection.) This method is most popular with independent designers not associated with a firm.

Cost-Plus

The designer plans and executes design of the space. The client purchases furniture and accessories from the designer directly and the client pays the item cost (design net price) plus (markup percentage.)

Hour and Cost-Plus

Hourly fees are paid for consulting services, budgeting and client meetings. Then any items procured through the designer are handled cost-plus.

 

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