How much should you pay for an Interior Designer? Post Reply

[redshoe]

Can anyone recommend a good Interior Designer in this area?

I have just moved into a new property at Tooting Bec and everything is chaos. We would like some ideas for colourways/ fabrics etc. and basically just want to know how to put everything together.

Thanks

[workingmum62]

http://www.janepricestephens.com/home.html

[supergirl]

Most of the good ones would charge around 10% design fee (of the overall budget). If you want them to project manage as well they might charge more.
Usually the first consultation is free (unless you are asking very top end ones) and after that, if you want anything you should pay a deposit on the design fee.
I am a freelance interior designer myself and work closely with a top designer who also have a workshop so we can do everything from interior design and decoration to joinery throughout soft furnishing hence providing a complete bespoke answer to your lifestyle. PM me if you want to check our website (we are based in surrey as we need more space for the workshop).

[supergirl]

One more thing, be aware of those who charges per hour or day... you usually end up rushing them because you are counting the hours (so the all experience of is a very stressfull one instead of being an experience that you should enjoy) or some of them would then overcharge you...
A fee based on an overall budget is what is done for all the competent and good ones particularly in London (different story if you go for an architect though as they work differently).

[EmmaVictoriaID]

Hi redshoe

I am an interior designer based locally and wanted to respond re. the above post as I feel that although a common way of charging a design fee is 10% of the overall budget it is not the only way, and would be wary of judging a company in regards to if they are "good" or not based purely on their pricing structure.

I run a small consultancy and work exclusively on residential clients on a 1 to 1 basis on smaller projects within the SW area. I have found that after speaking to and helping out lots of people in the area many people do not have an idea of a set budget and therefore the idea of selecting a budget beforehand is limiting to them. Especially if they just want pre-lim advice on furniture and colour schemes but are willing to carry out the project themselves. I have a package for clients who want a simple bit of professional inspiration for £300 I offer a furniture book, sample board and 1 colour scheme recommendation, this includes an hour consult. For larger projects I assess what services a person requires at the initial consultation - which I do charge a redeemable hourly £45 fee for - and then calculate the design fee based on the information gathered at the consult. Each client therefore pays for the services they need, which can be selected like a shopping list. I find this gives my clients and myself a clear list of what needs to be achieved and keeps us on track. 50% upfront and then 50% on completion.

Just wanted to say good designers are out there who do not necessarily charge in the standard way.

[Russellhunt]

I am locally based and run a property search company. Naturally a lot of my clients work with recommended interior designers. Georgie Rudge at Town House Interiors is Clapham based, reasonable and really helpful. Her email is gb@townhouse-interiordesign.co.uk/ 07931 301684.

Kind regards

Russell Hunt
Property Hunt
http://www.property-hunt.co.uk

[LondonMakeover]

I am an Interior Designer and my charges are £50 per hour or £250 a day. I do a free consultation and all costs are agreed up front, depending on the brief and what is required from the project.

I can help with simple tasks such as de-cluttering, through to working up colour schemes/ fabrics and spatial planning. I work alongside a builder and together we have worked on many big re-design projects (moving walls and rooms etc).

I can do a 1:1 session and I also run classes.

Check out www.londonpropertymakeover.com for more details.

[livinglocal]

Try Robyn of Robyn Falck Interiors. She is really helpful, has lots of ideas and can source all manner of things from interior decorating to project managing builds, kitchens etc. I would definitely recommend her.
www.robynfalck.com

[GeorgieRudge]

Thanks for mentioning me Russell. I'm a Battersea based interior designer and my company is called Town House Interiors http://www.townhouse-interiordesign.co.uk.
All designers seem to charge differently but I only charge for my time during consultation meetings when I am presenting ideas. Most projects involve approx 2 -3 meetings generally lasting 1-1.5 hours each. This obviously varies according to the amount of work involved but this is generally a good steer. I charge £50 per hour for these meetings so it works out roughly at about £250 in total.
I don't make any other charges for my time.
The only other charges my clients pay for are for any products such as fabrics or wallpapers that they buy through me which is all at the recommended retail price i.e. the same price you would pay if you bought it direct from the supplier.
The reason I charge this way is so that my clients can always see exactly what they're paying for.
The first consultation meeting is free so if you're still looking for someone and would like to have an informal chat please give me a call.
Kind regards
Georgie 020 7801 0429 or 07931 301684

[sunflower100]

Hi - try Lucy Swallow Interiors. Really cost effective and Lucy is just lovely. Her work is also amazing. I was soooo happy with what she did for me.

http://www.lucyswallowinteriors.com/