Comments on: How do Designers Charge their Clients? Let Me Break it Down

By: Am

Am — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:32:39 +0000

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the post. I find pricing such a hard task so this was really insightful!

In regards to paying for products, may I ask what sort of discounts the designers should expect from decor suppliers? Does that vary much by product e.g. sofas v kitchenware v rugs?

We can obviously see how much suppliers are charging for direct consumers. Just unsure if the trade discounts provided are fair or aligned to the industry.

Thanks a lot, Amelia

By: Chris Carroll

Chris Carroll — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:21:55 +0000

In reply to Joy and John Nathan.

Hi Joy and John. Very exciting about your build. And yes, Metricon’s design team have done a wonderful job with the Bayville – it’s stunning. Given the delays occurring with Covid at the moment (product delays in particular), I would recommend starting to work with us at least six months before your handover date, even earlier if you can. The process to get to the products being delivered to your home is not a quick one (we do a lot of ground work to get it right, as you’ve probably read), but then the suppliers need to have stock, which is the major issue at the moment. So, the sooner the better. Feel free to email us on admin@tlcinteriors.com.au if you need more advice.

By: Joy and John Nathan

Joy and John Nathan — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 05:20:09 +0000

We are building a new house in Woodend and are in the early stages. I love the Metricon Bayville and would like to follow a similar theme. At what stage in our build would be the right time to discuss the interior of our new home.

By: Chris Carroll

Chris Carroll — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 05:40:47 +0000

In reply to Devy. Thanks Devy! Absolutely, bill for all of your time. It all adds up to many hours of work. Or if you're doing a flat-fee model, factor all of these activities into it.

By: Devy

Devy — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 01:08:37 +0000

Hi Chris,

Thank you so much or the info. This is really useful for an aspiring Interior Designer!

Could you clarify if the hourly design fee includes the time you take to organise trades, furniture deliveries and on-site inspection/installation/styling?

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 00:48:12 +0000

Hi Chris! Another brilliant honest and genuine blog post from you. I love what you have shared here and in the end, if someone wasn’t the right fit then you would find out eventually so best it happens straight away. I have loved watching your business blossom and I’m sure it will continue to do so

By: HD

HD — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 21:55:34 +0000

Is it normal to charge a commission on all trades and purchases recommended by the designer in addition to the design fee that includes sourcing trades and collating quotes?

By: Ellen Ramas

Ellen Ramas — Sun, 09 Jun 2019 23:17:38 +0000

This is very good! Very transparent. That’s the way to do business!
Clients really appreciate the clarity, transparency.
This is very helpful. Clients can then plan and do the budget more accurately.
Thanks for taking the time to explain.
I appreciate the honesty.

By: Marti

Marti — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 12:02:39 +0000

Awesome read Chris – thanks for being so transparent – I think its definitely something our industry can do better

By: Amanda Dennis

Amanda Dennis — Sat, 18 May 2019 02:04:12 +0000

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much for the helpful info as I’m just starting my journey as an interior designer.

One thing that has me a little confused is how trade discounts work on furniture and accessories?
I can understand if you as the designer pay the trade price and then charge the customer the retail price, but then aren’t you responsible for the warranty? Or do you just get the customer to pay the supplier directly giving them the discount?

Thanks so much,

Amanda

By: Chris Carroll

Chris Carroll — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 01:13:06 +0000

In reply to SANDRA BURNS.

No worries Sandra. Just click this link and then enter in your email address: https://www.tlcinteriors.com.au/newsletter/ 🙂

By: SANDRA BURNS

SANDRA BURNS — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 00:50:41 +0000

HI,

WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY NEWS LETTER

By: Beejay

Beejay — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 11:15:24 +0000

I love this! I’m diploma qualified but have had to wait to start up (family issues) and was so scared to charge people “too much”.
I still don’t think I’ll charge quite as much from the start as I’m a little rusty shall we say but it’s great that i can now be confident and clear when giving fee information.
THANKYOU!

By: Mel

Mel — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 02:29:44 +0000

Hi Chris
As a new comer to the industry I would like to thank you for your refreshingly honest and transparent insight into your fee structure. I’m all for removing the smoke & mirrors that surround interior design & keeping it real! I love how you deliver your decorating advice without the bulls###!
Mel

By: Jazz

Jazz — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 05:33:50 +0000

We paid about $7,000, 4 years ago. It was a set fee, we had an outlined schedule. It was a new build and they helped us work out exterior, tiles for all 7 wet areas, curtains for 90% of the home, internal paint colour, light fittings and a few pieces of furniture.
I didn’t love their attitude unfortunately. We weren’t given a broad range of furniture company options and they were quite secretive about suppliers. The curtain company were a shambles. Furniture arrived weeks after promised and we end up with hire furniture.

4 years on I have a much clearer perspective on what I love and hate (including one of my wallpaper feature walls, which we’ll be changing ASAP) .

Would i use an interior designer again? maybe, but I’d have to know they were really working for us and excited to take the job

By: Chris Carroll

Chris Carroll — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 23:17:54 +0000

In reply to Deb. You're very welcome Deb. So excited you are studying. You'll love it when you get out into the world with your knowledge. Keep me update on how things are going :)

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 22:11:55 +0000

Thank you Chris for the helpful info. I am studying to be a interior designer and decorator and yuoir honesty is so refreshing. Happy styling