Interior Designer - Cost?

[Anonymous]

I have two estimates from interior designers that are widely different. Curious what others have paid in DMV area. Scope is to furnish living room and dining room, including paint selections, window treatments, lighting, furniture, and accessories. No built-ins or structural changes. Any idea what flat fee or total hours spent would be on this project?

[Anonymous]

Is either one taking a commission on furniture or soft goods?

[Anonymous]

My guess is the whole project will cost $100k. Most designers don't really charge by the hour anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is either one taking a commission on furniture or soft goods?

OP. No commission on furniture/soft goods. Just a shopping list for me. Mostly off the shelf stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is either one taking a commission on furniture or soft goods?

OP. No commission on furniture/soft goods. Just a shopping list for me. Mostly off the shelf stuff.

20-30 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is the whole project will cost $100k. Most designers don't really charge by the hour anymore.

The two estimates I got were flat fees but hourly rate was written in fine print. So curious what part of the 100k you think should be spent on interior design fees. Small rooms, so actually budget is more like 20k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is the whole project will cost $100k. Most designers don't really charge by the hour anymore.

The two estimates I got were flat fees but hourly rate was written in fine print. So curious what part of the 100k you think should be spent on interior design fees. Small rooms, so actually budget is more like 20k.

Most designers don't charge an hourly rate anymore because it's not a good way to make money. No one is paying a designer $900 an hour, even with a project budget of $100k. So it makes much more sense for them to make a percentage of the cost of purchases, where the real money is. If you're buying everything off the rack then they need to inflate their hours to make a profit.

What are they charging you per hour? For two small rooms, my guess is 20-30 hours of work. If they're suggesting non custom/trade only pieces my guess is they're charging ~$100 an hour.

[Anonymous]

OP if you’re doing shopping lists and have a $20k total budget, you’re in the kind of “non-traditional” zone of interior decorating.

Traditionally, decorators served as the retailer. So they sourced furniture for you that is “to the trade,” sort of like wholesale, and took a similar markup that a store would take. They handled the ordering, receiving, returns etc just like a store would. The same thing for fabric and managing workrooms for drapes, pillows, etc.

Of course now a lot, lot more is available for people to buy directly. So there are more decorators who might charge an hourly or flat fee and more or less abandon the markup on goods. It kind of doesn’t matter in the end. It’s just how it’s billed.

Having done something similar in the not SO distant past, I bet you’re looking at $3-7k in designer cost.

There are definitely ways to get something similar for cheaper or free. Online services are one way. The fee to you is low because the model is a commission on sales of the stuff they recommend. Store design services is the other. Usually free for the same reason.

If I were you and you have a little time, I would start with store designers. It might be a dud but it’s low investment. Bring them dimensions and a clear list of your needs (eg seating for 8, a recliner, etc).

Paint colors should be last and you can use a paint store consultant for that. Gather swatches as you buy the other stuff.