01 of 06
What type of project is this?
Clients accept flat fees faster than hourly — no anxiety about the meter running. Project type is the single biggest driver of your fee range.
Full Renovation
Gut reno or full-house redesign with construction
Furnishings Only
No construction — furniture, textiles, accessories
New Construction
Working with architect from early stage
Advisement
Consulting, not purchasing or specifying
02 of 06
How many rooms are in scope?
Kitchens and primary baths are 2–3× more labor-intensive than living rooms. Count them all — the estimate adjusts automatically.
1–3 rooms
Single space or small project
4–6 rooms
Partial floor or key spaces
7–10 rooms
Most of a home
11+ rooms
Full house or multi-floor
03 of 06
Is construction involved?
Construction projects generate 60–120 hours of contractor coordination that most designers absorb without billing. This changes your fee significantly.
Full renovation with GC
General contractor, subs, permits
Light construction only
Paint, wallpaper, minor trades
No construction
Furnishings and decorating only
04 of 06
Where is the project located?
Principal rates vary $150–$275/hr across markets — a 40% swing that changes your entire fee structure.
Westchester County, NY
Fairfield County, CT
New York City
Hamptons / East End
05 of 06
Has this client worked with a designer before?
First-time clients require 30–40% more education hours — process explanations, managing expectations, extra revisions. That time should be in your fee.
Yes — experienced client
Knows the process, trusts the designer
No — first time
Will need more guidance and explanation
Unsure
06 of 06
Estimated goods and furnishings budget?
Your procurement markup — typically 30% on all goods — is often your largest revenue line. This tells us how significant that income stream is on this project.
Under $50K
$50K–$150K
$150K–$300K
$300K+
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Recommended design fee
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Procurement markup (30% on goods)
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Contractor coordination (prepaid block)
⚑ Almost universally unbilled — highest-impact addition
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Freight upcharge (20% on shipping costs)
⚑ Missing from most proposals in this market
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Show assumptions
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