As interior designers, we curate stunning designs using a mix of high-end retail pieces from brands like Design Within Reach (DWR) and Restoration Hardware (RH), along with trade-only items. However, many of us have faced the frustrating scenario of clients purchasing items on their own after receiving our design selections. This often happens when clients cannot commit to using trade-only resources and believe they can save money by shopping retail.
In this blog post, we’ll explore strategies that interior designers can use to protect their work and maintain compensation, even when clients turn to retail purchases. These tips will help you safeguard your intellectual property, avoid awkward situations, and ensure a professional relationship with your clients.
Why Clients Circumvent Designers
Clients often assume they can get a better deal by purchasing retail products themselves. With the ease of online shopping and the ability to find product information quickly, many clients feel empowered to shop independently after seeing your recommendations.
However, what they overlook is the expertise, vision, and behind-the-scenes effort that goes into curating a cohesive design. Without clear boundaries and communication, clients may believe they can recreate the same result by purchasing products themselves—leaving the designer unpaid for their valuable work.
How to Safeguard Your Design Work
1. Have a Clear Contract with Detailed Clauses
One of the best ways to protect your work is through a well-written contract. Include clauses around purchasing, intellectual property, and compensation for design services. Specify that all product purchases must go through you and include a clause for remuneration if the client purchases items independently.
A solid contract sets clear expectations upfront, protecting both your business and your time.
2. Charge for Design Packages
Offer a comprehensive design package that includes all product selections, item numbers, and sources. Charge for this package upfront, making it clear that you are providing intellectual property. Whether the client chooses to purchase through you or on their own, you’ll be compensated for the design work.
This method helps ensure that your time and expertise are valued and paid for, regardless of the purchasing decision.
3. Communicate the Value of Professional Procurement
Explain to your clients the value of professional procurement. Purchasing through a designer isn’t just about convenience; it’s about accuracy, efficiency, and avoiding costly mistakes. Clients often underestimate the effort involved in managing orders, tracking shipments, handling returns, and resolving issues like damaged items.
By highlighting the logistical advantages of purchasing through you, clients are more likely to see the benefits of paying for this service.
4. Build Strong Relationships with Trade-Only Vendors
While it’s tempting to source products from popular retailers like RH, this makes it easier for clients to bypass you. Instead, build strong relationships with trade-only vendors to offer your clients exclusive products they can’t access themselves.
By offering unique and higher-quality items, you provide added value that clients can’t replicate by shopping retail.
5. Mark Up and Service Fees
Explain that by handling procurement, you are saving clients time and stress. Justify your mark-up or procurement fee by explaining that you’re managing the entire process, from ordering to returns. Clients often don’t realize the full scope of work involved, so transparent communication about these services helps them understand the value they’re receiving.
Insights from the Community
Here’s what other interior designers are saying about protecting their work and maintaining fair compensation:
- skyline.nashville: Charges for design packages upfront, ranging from $1500 to $2500 depending on the project’s size. By charging for detailed design plans that include product photos, item numbers, and sources, they ensure compensation even if the client purchases the items themselves.
- mallyskok: Highlights the importance of explaining the added value of the designer managing the purchasing process. They communicate the headaches involved with ordering, tracking, and handling returns, making clients more inclined to let the designer handle everything for them.
- southerngraceinteriors: Recommends separating design services from product costs in contracts. Charging for both ensures clients understand the distinction between professional design services and the costs associated with products. This approach clarifies that designers are not simply furniture retailers but are providing a valuable service.
Conclusion
To prevent clients from bypassing you in the purchasing process, set clear expectations, charge for your intellectual property, and communicate the value of your services beyond product selection. A strong contract, upfront design package fees, and relationships with trade-only vendors can protect your work while offering clients a seamless, professional experience.
By educating clients on the full scope of your role, from design curation to project management, you’ll ensure your expertise is valued and compensated. Protecting your design selections isn’t just about controlling product purchasing—it’s about preserving the integrity of your business and maintaining healthy client relationships.