Real designer rates and a practical framework for new construction pricing, when PSF works, when it breaks, and how to mix flat fee, hourly, and retainers.
How Much Do Designers Charge Per Square Foot for New Construction? Read More »
A short complimentary phone screen, a paid in-home visit, verbal direction only, and in-person contract review. This framework increases close rates and protects your time.
Pricing the Interior Design Consultation: 4 Steps to Turn Inquiries Into Clients Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary Maria Khouri grew up in Beirut during Lebanon’s 15-year civil war, moving 12 times in 10 years. She has spent her career making homes in San Francisco that feel like exactly that: home. Her boutique firm handles high-end residential work across the US and into Europe, and her commercial clients hire her
Having your stocking dealer status revoked stings. Whether you walk, negotiate, or find a workaround depends on a few factors worth careful consideration. You get the email, or maybe a call from your rep. Your purchasing didn’t hit the minimum last year, and the vendor is reclassifying your account. The pricing tier you’ve been using
Vendor Revoked Your Stocking Dealer Status? When Interior Designers Should Walk Away Read More »
You already know you should charge more. The harder question is when, how to communicate it without apologizing, and whether your numbers actually add up to a livable hourly rate. Here is how to decide.
When to Raise Your Interior Design Rates: 4 Clear Signs You’re Charging Too Little Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary Kelly Collier-Clark didn’t come to interior design through the traditional route. Before founding House of Clark Interiors, she spent nearly 20 years climbing the corporate ladder in the energy industry, managing high-profile accounts and running complex client relationships. She held a real estate license. She briefly left the workforce to raise her
Setting a monthly revenue goal without knowing your cost structure is guesswork. Here’s how working designers build a number that actually means something. Someone asked the IDC community: What do you shoot for in terms of monthly revenue? It’s a question designers ask themselves regularly, and the answer shifts depending on firm size, fee structure,
Monthly Revenue Targets for Interior Designers: How to Build Your Number from Costs Up Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary Laura Hildebrandt, owner of Interiors by LH in the Washington, DC area, joins Laurie Laizure for a conversation about what it really takes to build a design business when the stakes are personal, the resources are thin, and the learning curve is steep. Laura’s path into interior design started after a divorce
You do not need one universal number. You need a pricing model you can explain, apply consistently, and defend with confidence. You know the moment. You are building a gorgeous scheme, the client is excited, and then you pull fabric memos and wallpaper quotes, and your brain stalls. “Okay, but what do I charge for
Your vendor list should do more than look good. It should protect your timelines, your margins, and your sanity. You know that moment when a client says, “Can we just order it today?” and you are staring at your sourcing spreadsheet trying to remember which vendor actually ships complete, on time, and without a surprise
Stop Guessing, Start Sourcing: How to Build a Reliable Trade Vendor List Read More »
