Lots of designers tell me they want to offer ‘affordable design services’ or ‘budget packages’.
The idea usually comes from a good place (i.e. wanting to help more people access design), but the problem is that interior design isn’t a low budget, low cost service, especially if you want to make money!
Design is inherently a high end service.
It costs a lot to furnish, renovate/remodel or change a home or a commercial space. The minute you start dealing with joinery, trades, furniture, lighting and finishes, you’re talking about serious money. Generally if a client is on a tight budget then hiring an interior designer is probably outside of that budget.
So before you accept a low budget (and usually low quality) project, stop and ask yourself a few questions:
- How long is this project actually going to take me?
- How much am I charging?
- What does that work out to per hour?
- How much profit will I make once I pay myself, my expenses and my overheads?
- Is this project worth it for what I’ll earn?
- Will this type of project help me attract better clients?
Once you’ve considered the answers think about whether the project is worth doing.
Design is expensive because value is expensive
Interior design isn’t a service someone needs to survive. It’s discretional spending people choose to invest in because they care about quality, detail and how their spaces look/feel.
When you make that service cheap you shrink the perceived value of what you offer and teach clients that design should fit inside their low budget. You then find you work more, earn less and get stuck servicing really annoying people with unrealistic expectations.
If a project won’t be profitable but you still want to take on the client then offer something different instead. For example a one off design consultation or an e-design or virtual concept service. The goal is to have a product suite that allows you to redirect people who can’t afford full service into something that still makes you money. Or simply say no to the client to keep your diary open for those who are a better fit, with a better budget.
That’s how professional businesses (that make money) operate.
It’s ok to charge properly
Not every client can afford an interior designer and that’s fine!!
You don’t need to apologise and you don’t need to take on every client who enquires.
Professional design costs money because it should. You’re providing a service that transforms spaces and increases the value of their home or business. If you keep treating it like a budget commodity, clients will too.
You’re not running a charity, you’re delivering a professional service. So price your work properly and build services that make sense for both you and your clients.
