Pricing strategies for designers do not live in theory, they live in real conversations with real clients. A repeat client is a compliment. It is also where boundaries matter most. The Interior Design Community sees this scenario often. Here is how design pros handle it without undervaluing their work.
The Scenario
It’s flattering to be hired again. A repeat client means you did something right the first time. But what happens when that same client, halfway through a second major project, asks for a discount?
That’s the situation one designer shared in a post on @interiordesigncommunity. The designer was finishing a whole home renovation and had already worked with this client before. They liked each other. The project was nearly complete. The decorating phase was about to start. And then the client said he was out of budget and asked if she would continue at a discounted rate.
He had project-managed everything himself. He was burned out. And he had already paid full price for trades and previous design time. She wanted to see the job through, capture final photos and video, and maintain the working relationship, but wasn’t sure whether to lower her fees.
Do you accommodate to keep the project and preserve goodwill? Or do you say no and risk losing the job, the relationship, and your own sense of fairness?
Designers in the community did not hold back. Here is what they said.
Designers Weigh In
“I run a business, not a favor bank.”
@nikkilevyinteriors acknowledged the emotion behind the ask but drew a clear boundary.
“I truly understand where it’s coming from, but working at a discount means I can’t give my full paying clients the attention and time they deserve. So while I’d love to say yes, I unfortunately can’t.”
She offered a way to remain helpful without compromising her pricing.
“I’m happy to put together a checklist and recommend a few trusted vendors.”
It is a simple reminder that support can take many forms, not all of them billable.
“Use your words. Kindly but clearly.”
@chadofall_chadillac would pick up the phone and explain the value instead of defending the price.
“I’m so appreciative that you are a repeat client. That’s why you, of all people, should understand the value, time, and creativity I bring.”
He would also reframe the situation to show how the client benefits.
“With the money you saved not hiring a GC, this is the perfect time to splurge and let me just finish this for you.”
Clients may think they are being practical, but they are often missing the hidden cost of DIY project management.
“He’s already getting a discount.”
@amyvermillioninteriors took a different route. She would tell the client the rate had not increased, and that itself was a form of loyalty.
“Seeing that time has passed and your rates surely must have risen, you can tell him he is indeed getting courtesy pricing.”
She questioned the assumption altogether.
“Good clients don’t ask for discounts. They respect your contribution to the project.”
She added a sharp warning:
“Say no. If he doesn’t do the decorating phase, you likely dodge a grenade of problems, indecision, and price checking.”
“Been there. Never again.”
@delointeriors shared a story that stung.
“This happened to me after designing two homes and a cottage. On the second cottage, they pulled apart my proposal trying to chop down my fee.”
She had already discounted due to their long relationship. She was so frustrated she declined and walked away from future work.
“It was beyond insulting. Design is a luxury service. Let’s not cry poor on your fourth project in a luxury location.”
Her post captured what many designers feel but do not always say. Longstanding relationships do not justify cutting corners on compensation.
“We reduce the service to match the budget.”
@mk.imperium shared a strategy used in their firm.
“We give clients perspective and show them the value of our work. If they want to reduce fees, we offer reduced services.”
They ask clients what they are hoping to achieve and adjust accordingly.
“Sometimes if it’s something small they want, we give it to them. But for any substantial discount, we adjust our service package.”
It is a good reminder that value does not always mean the complete package. It means setting expectations and sticking to them.
A Client’s Budget Is Not Your Problem
Many designers have worked with clients who seem to run out of money right as the project nears completion. The construction is done, the hard part is behind them, and suddenly, the styling and decorating portion, the part that showcases your talent, is the piece they want to cut back on.
If you give in, you risk two outcomes, resentment and regret. If you hold your ground, you might lose the job, but you keep your boundaries intact.
What stood out in the community response was this, most designers wanted to help. They wanted to finish the project, get the photos, and see the vision through. Not at the expense of the business.
How to Respond Without Undervaluing Yourself
If you are ever asked for a discount by a client you genuinely like, try this script adapted from multiple designers’ responses:
“I really appreciate the chance to work with you again, and I understand this phase has taken a toll. I want to help finish this project well. At the same time, I need to protect the integrity of my business. I’m happy to offer a focused scope or consulting support if that helps. But I can’t reduce my rate for full service design.”
This approach respects the client’s stress, keeps the door open for support, and makes it clear that pricing is not flexible just because the relationship is.
Your Rate Reflects More Than Your Time
Your design rate is not just about hours logged. It reflects years of expertise, your ability to see a project through, and the results that justify the investment.
Discounting your work does not just hurt your bottom line. It sends the message that your value is negotiable. When one client pushes that line, others notice.
As @amyvermillioninteriors said,
“Imagine going into a doctor’s office and asking for a discount because you’ve been there before. That’s not how service businesses work.”
Design Is Not About Making Exceptions
In the end, you do not owe anyone a discount. Not for being a good client. Not for promising future work. Not for bringing in other vendors. The only thing you owe is clear communication, professional boundaries, and the quality of work they hired you for in the first place.
If your gut tells you the ask is reasonable and you want to offer a small courtesy, do it. If it feels like you are being asked to carry the burden of someone else’s budget decisions, trust that instinct, too.
Design is personal. It is also a business. If you don’t run it like one, you end up underpaid and overworked.
Want more behind the scenes conversations like this, join the discussion on @interiordesigncommunity.
FAQ
Should I ever offer a repeat client a discount?
It is your call. Many designers offer courtesy pricing by holding last year’s rate. Others maintain rate integrity while reducing scope, for example, checklist plus vendor referrals.
How do I propose a reduced scope without sounding rigid?
State your intent to help, restate the outcomes they care about, then offer one or two focused options, for example, design direction and selections only, install coaching, or styling day.
What if I want the photos but the client cannot fund full service?
Offer a consulting path to finish styling, then schedule a short install and shoot day with a clear deliverables list. Your portfolio matters, keep time boxed.