With
today’s economy, homeowners are on their tiptoes regarding any extra
investments they make in their home. Despite the recent incline in real estate
profitability, price shopping and DIY are still the name of the game. This means that interior designers have taken
a back seat on the priority list. People
are purchasing “factory direct” or online, and hiring cheap contractors in
hopes of getting their projects done with minimal expense. Small businesses are actually suffering for
this. Independent businesses in
California that need to have a decent markup to REMAIN in business are getting
the brush-off by homeowners purchasing slightly cheaper imported products, and
going with the lowest bidder on just about everything.
It may be true, in a sense, that
interior designers are a luxury, and not a necessity. Having someone to guide you with furniture
layout and create custom draperies IS a luxury.
However, when it comes to larger projects like fully furnishing a new
house, or remodeling a kitchen, designers ARE a necessity. Those who are uninformed as to the capacity
of qualified interior designers usually argue, “Why should I pay for some
designer to come in and tell me where to put stuff and which colors to
pick? I can do that easily by
myself. It is simply a waste of
money”. Some argue “I watch HGTV and
learn enough to do things myself and save money”. Those arguments are short-sighted and
uneducated. It is true that there are hundreds
of design firms throughout the U.S. that cost an arm and a leg, affordable
only to celebrities and politicians. But those
are HIGH-END companies.
You find
high-end companies in every industry---technology, clothing, cosmetics, etc.
I’m sure we can all agree that the tattered fashionable jeans from Calvin Klein
cannot hold a candle to a good old-fashioned pair of Levis. They are the same product in the same
industry, but the lower cost company delivers a generally superior and longer
lasting product. It’s a round-about
comparison, but interior designers, like clothing, come in different styles,
strengths, and price-points.
So what do
interior designers cost? This is a difficult question because every designer has their own approach in fees and
design style. Some profit mostly from
commission, and some simply consult with clients on an hourly basis. It depends on their specialty, experience,
recognition, and demographic. So
ultimately there is no SOLID answer.
Everyone that tries to write articles on this topic ends up saying the
same thing: “It depends”. I cannot speak for any other firms. However, I am more than happy to be honest
about my approach and method of charging.
Even for myself, how I charge, and how much I charge, varies. But I have managed to break it down into three
basic categories: Hourly Consulting,
Concept Design, and Design Packages.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hourly
consulting $150/hr.
This service allows the client to
obtain design expertise on different areas of their home without purchasing
project management. It is great for
clients that can handle their own research and coordination but need advice on
a particularly challenging part of their home.
Common design questions/projects include color consulting, window
treatment consulting, kitchen/bath consulting, and general decorating
advice. The client is allowed to take
notes and make copies of any notes or sketches.
Concept Design $800 and up per room
This service is excellent for
homeowners who are willing to do their own research, place their own orders,
and hire their own contractors. JOI
creates a 3D illustration of a proposed finished design for the given
room. The client receives a recommended
color scheme, room theme, and room layout.
This acts as a road map for the client when they are researching
different pieces and allows them to invest in furnishings, accessories, and
remodels at a slower pace. Concept Design
 |
| Example of 3D concept design rendering. It illustrates the overall look of the finished space. From this, the client can pursue furniture that looks similar, install similar cabinets in a similar configuration, paint with the implied colors, etc. to achieve the feel of the original concept design, for a flat fee of $800 (may increase based on size of room and complexity of design). A 3D rendering like this takes around 10 hours to produce, so the client is paying me at a reduced hourly rate. |
Full Service Design Packages $3,000 and up
For homeowners that have very little
time to dedicate to designing their home, or those who just want the job done,
and done QUICKLY, full service design packages are the way to go. To start with, JOI develops a customized
design for you after becoming well acquainted and listening to your needs and
tastes. Once the design itself is
completed and presented to you, JOI coordinates all necessary orders and
installations to finish your room/home.
In other words, we “project manage”.
You have the option to buy furnishings directly from retailers, or you
can buy through JOI. Full service design
packages can run between $3,000 and $7,800 depending on the time needed.
That seems like a lot right? Let’s look closer at the numbers, assuming we are decorating a living room, and the designer is given carte blanche on item selection.
LIVING ROOM FURNISHING PROJECT EXPENSES
|
|||
PRODUCT/SERVICE
|
RETAIL/SERVICE COST
|
CLIENT PRICE
|
CLIENT SAVINGS
|
CUSTOM SOFA
|
5,000.00
|
3,750.00
|
1,250.00
|
LOVESEAT
|
3,500.00
|
2,625.00
|
875.00
|
ACCENT CHAIR
|
1,500.00
|
1,125.00
|
375.00
|
COFFEE TABLE
|
2,000.00
|
1,500.00
|
500.00
|
END TABLES (2)
|
2,000.00
|
1,500.00
|
500.00
|
CREDENZA
|
3,800.00
|
2,850.00
|
950.00
|
AREA RUG
|
3,000.00
|
2,400.00
|
600.00
|
TABLE LAMP (2)
|
600.00
|
540.00
|
60.00
|
FLOOR LAMP
|
500.00
|
450.00
|
50.00
|
DRAPERIES
|
5,000.00
|
4,250.00
|
750.00
|
ACCENT PIECES
|
2,000.00
|
1,800.00
|
200.00
|
PAINT SERVICE
|
1,200.00
|
1,200.00
|
N/A
|
HANDYMAN SERVICE
|
150.00
|
150.00
|
N/A
|
DELIVERY COSTS
|
300.00
|
300.00
|
N/A
|
TOTAL
|
$30,550.00
|
$24,440.00
|
$6,110.00
|
IMMEDIATE RETURN ON DESIGNER INVESTMENT ($3,000)
|
$3,110.00
|
||
The
math speaks for itself. Not only can you save over $4,000 on furnishings from designer discounts (varies by designer), you have a
design that is composed by a professional interior designer, customized to suit
your needs---one that will impress your friends the moment they walk in, and
one that may even help you sell your home.
You don’t need to spend hours looking through catalogs and samples,
driving around to various showrooms, and getting bids from different
companies. I save you that trouble, AND
I save you money. The benefits of hiring
my company are very extensive, but for those who are concerned mainly with the
price, the above numbers should help to clarify the dollar value in my
services. Keep in mind, the above pricing is also
based on the assumption that the client is purchasing high-end, top quality
product that will last for many years. Budget management (when there is a budget) is
ALWAYS taken into account when I select the different pieces for you. You give me a budget, and I will do whatever
it takes to give you a superior design within that number. Whether you want to be very closely involved
during the project, or just want me to take care of everything, the choice is
yours. My goal is to make all my clients
feel very comfortable during and after the project.
I
hope that this information has been helpful.
If you are curious about the cost of design services as they would apply
to your project, just call or email me.
925-895-1336 cell
