Interior designer fee is 30% of furnishing cost?

You can't do the design work yourself? Were talking a 1 bedroom apt. here, not a 7 bedroom mansion. It is not that hard to design such a small space.

Most designers will do it for 20%.
Some even less if you hire a one-person designer and don't go to a full size firm.
Below is a link of a client of mine who just started an online design services practice. It would be a middle ground between a full service designer and a do-it-yourself thing which could be overwhelming.
http://annietse.net/portfolio.html

test

Go to Ethan Allen, they will come to your home and design rooms for you. They now have modern and traditional furniture. Maybe you can get someone that works in the building to do the "minor construction work".

It really depends on your price point. Prada is correct if Ethan Allen is your price point they are a great choice. Once you start moving up the curve and require specialty items including custom made or antique rugs, custom furniture and other specialty items. You are definately paying 30%.

Also, keep in mind that they will be getting you discounts/wholesale prices, etc. so the real cost is not 30%

epitope - 30-35% is industry standard.

And as MAV mentioned they get a discount to the trade which is usually 30-40% for furnishings, and other decor so you really come out ahead by using one.

Design by Francois LLC
www.francoistenenbaum.com

you do have to watch them a bit though. Many often guide you to similar places..D & D for ex..Make sure they are getting the best price possible for you. You need to insure that they are not double or triple dipping.

It is my understanding that they will also charge 30% on top of labor. For example, if your apt needs to be painted, whatever the painter charges tack on 30%. However for this, they pick the hopefully perfect colors and supervise the work....

On Entourage, it was 10%

I am a Interior Designer and the industry standard is 30-35% of budget....furniture, furnishings, renovation and/or painting. Custom design is not for the masses, it is for individuals who want a design that is customized to their lifestyle and vision of how they want to live. We are trained and educated professionals who dedicate a tremendous amount of time in developing the design programs, and should be compensated as any other professional would be. Everything from the choice of paint color, finishes, lighting, and furniture/furnishings is planned for each project. Ethan Allen is certainly an alternative, so is Mitchell Gold/Bob Williams and they both have decent product, but you will be getting what everyone else gets and they don't do renovations and are not experts with lighting design or chosing paint colors.

Patient09 - "you do have to watch them a bit though".....of course we go to the D&D Building, that is the major central resource for designers....and I/we don't need to be watched, we don't double or triple dip. I submit the ORIGINAL vendor invoice to my clients and I keep a copy. They see every dollar spent on the design project! They already have agreed to the design fee at 30-35% so there is nothing to hide. Have you ever thought of the hours committed to a design project, and what happens when there is a problem? The designer has to resolve and correct to the client specification, which requires additonal time. Dealing with the public and multilple personalities requires a great deal of patience and restraint, we earn our dsign fees, and then some.

I found your comment extremely offensive.

easy there girlfriend, I NEVER said your industry didn't earn your money. If you read from above I said the high end going rate was 30%. I HAVE paid it. I NEVER said YOU double or triple dip. But it is very common for designers to receive more than their % agreement. They may have been able to negotiate better prices than were reflected. They may add on fees for delivery, they may add on fees for storage. They may receive kickbacks from wallpaper hangers. They may charge fees for helping with architects when fees were already paid for that item..etc..etc.. don't be so defensive.

"don't be so defensive."

Or try a career in Real Estate!

(if you don't like a few bad apples spoiling it for everyone)

What's an avg starting salary for an interior designer? I'm considering switching careers, and would appreciate your insights.

Thanks.

epitope, those who suggest you hire a 1-person shop are right. Just like with anything else design-related (graphic, interior, web), you get the same or better result as the bigger corps. for a fraction of the cost.
And smaller firms tend to know more of a non-traditional (reed interesting) sources.
I can recommend one:
iP@lightandairdesign.com

I hired a designer about five years ago.

The arrangement was that I paid $75 per hour. In addition, I think she received about 20% from the materials suppliers.

It was money well spent.

She listened to the broad parameters of what I wanted and she delivered. She gently pushed me toward new and generally better design ideas that initially felt somewhat uncomfortable. Big improvement over what I would have come up with.

gramercygal, that is probably about the worst decision you could make until the economy improves.

Thanks for the responses.. I have heard $100-250 per hour from the design firm depending on seniority. I think having several designers work on this is overkill for a 1 bedroom; may just go with a smaller/one-person shop as some have suggested.

It would be something I'd ease into. Probably schooling for a number of years first.

epitope, go with choosing your own paint, furniture and accessories as others have suggested. If you want to get rid of your money, give it to charity.

1) If someone wants to use an interior designer I don't think people telling them not to is very productive. Firstly, because some people can do it for themselves and others can not (and a lot of people who THINK they can do it for themselves end up with something they think is great but everyone else recognizes it's not as good as if a professional designer did it), and secondly because if someone wants a truly special look, the odds of them getting it and having it "be all that it can be"/look STUNNING and be totally cohesive, etc. are, by and large, VERY small for the VAST majority of people with no training in design. Why do you think major corporations spend BILLIONS of dollars on product design (and I'm not talking about the engineering part)? I'd like to know who here thinks they could draw just an exterior of an automobile which would come anywhere close to a Ferrari or other cars known for outstanding exotic design? (and I'm not talking about drawing a picture of an existing model, I mean designing a new "line").

2) No offense to jonnar, other interior designers or architects, but there are PLENTY of both interior designers and architects who take the agreed upon fee and don't tell their clients that they are also getting a profit from receiving substantial discounts on most of the materials (furniture, tile, lighting, etc.) and not passing those discounts along to their clients (i.e. having the client pay "face" rather than what the designer/architect's price actually is). I'm NOT saying everyone does this, but it is a high enough percentage that if this is what patient9 was referring to, I have to agree that you have to make sure as the client that you aren't paying for BOTH the service AND a "sales commission". Especially since this causes somewhat of a conflict in the designer/architect's choice of both what to use (more expensive means more dollars) and WHERE it is purchased (rather than the cheapest source, the one paying the highest commission). This is also true of GC's as well.

I found someone that did mine for 20%.

Is hourly fee an option?

Especially if the client is mostly looking primarily for a design, and then is willing to invest the shoe leather to handle logistics, ordering, purchasing, delivery themselves?

"Why do you think major corporations spend BILLIONS of dollars on product design (and I'm not talking about the engineering part)? I'd like to know who here thinks they could draw just an exterior of an automobile which would come anywhere close to a Ferrari or other cars known for outstanding exotic design? (and I'm not talking about drawing a picture of an existing model, I mean designing a new "line"). "

This is a HORRIBLY bad analogy.

This isn't the equivalent of designing a ferrari, its the equivalent of BUYING one. Do you need someone to tack on 30% to tell you "get red, and you'll get more hand j*bs"?

The designer isn't even designing an fing couch. They're PICKING.

Its the different between writing a great song, and then saying "oh I like it".

This designer is CLEARLY way too self-important. Its like a DJ with an ipod thinking they're a musician.

"Why do you think major corporations spend BILLIONS of dollars on product design (and I'm not talking about the engineering part)?"

Name me a company that spends billions on couch design and you have a point.

Oh wait, you aren't even designing the couch.

You're the person with the car catalog who goes "you should take the leather interior, its nicer".

Actually, somewhere else, often the designer DOES design the couch, the chairs, even the rugs - it's called "CUSTOM"

Lets start a thread of listings sporting "custom designed" interiors and see how many are actually livable and not laughable.

"Actually, somewhere else, often the designer DOES design the couch, the chairs, even the rugs - it's called "CUSTOM""

Try again.

"Custom" is selecting the fabric to put on the couch. That isn't actually designing it. It was already designed. I haven't met a designer who knows how to work a drill press or a CAD system. Picking a color or a fabric is not "engineering" and comparing these guys to engineers is ridiculous.

The guy who puts new shag upholstery in my van is more of a designer, because he actually does the work.

spin - surprised at your comment. We're not talking way over-the-top stuff (like Rush's place), but when an architect/soace planner does the plans for a gut renovation, do you call that "laughable" custom or "livable" custom? I would say that is, in the real world of SE poster, more often "livable custom". When you want a couch that is not a standard size (90" or 96" rather than the standard 84") is that "laughable" or more "livable"? Well, for me, it was more "livable".

The real key to working with a designer is to make sure that your own taste is really present in your living space. I used the designer to help choose fabrics (because left to my own devices, everything would have probably been beige or cream). Actually, designer lost out because I bought all chairs, tables, chests, accessories on my own, then had the designer arrange to upholster. Designer was young, so she went along with that approach. Don't know if others would have.

And our space is extremely livable.

Do not accept the 30% "industry-standard" racket. Agree upon a fixed rate up front. There are lots of sleazy designers out there upcharging clients on everything. Only thing that will fix that sleazy industry is demanding clients who demand flat-fee service.

> I used the designer to help choose fabrics

I just designed a ferrari. I picked the black interior.

When did these jokers start calling themselves "designers" anyway? They kind of ruined the word "design" for the people who actually did it.

ph - clients with good design sense will make sure things don't go over the top, but then again they probably could have decoded the rocket launcher themselves. Many designers just play fast and loose with other peoples' money. Like those ultra chic Soho retail clothing sales people: "for weekends in the park I might suggest this simple white t-shirt ($120) and jeans ($295), with a patent red leather loafer ($575), we also have this stuff to put in your hair to make you look like you just got out of bed ($45)"

"Do not accept the 30% "industry-standard" racket. Agree upon a fixed rate up front."

Thanks, that's what I did

When the other side needs to make up ridiculous assumptions to counter your point, you know they have no real argument.

Sure, all interior designers do is help you pick out your sofa (or other furniture)

spin - some "rocket launchers" are available only "to the trade" - particularly fabrics and wallpaper. While some design houses now let "regular" consumers purchase, many still do not. There really is a whole other world there. And yes, the designers do add a lot of details, ideas, things that really make a huge difference, IMHO.

The white shirt and jeans analogy is apt - but that is why DWR and Crate and Barrel,etc. exist - very good adaptations of designer ideas from 15 years ago, now mainstream. For that, I agree, you don't need a designer. And if you're paying a designer for that, yes, you're not paying for anything special.

Just an opinion...

I used a 30% interior designer in my first home. I was extremely intimidated by the number of choices and especially how colors/patterns/textures would work together. That attitude of intimidation led me to accept her choices for some items that, in retrospect, were unnecessary -- ie. trim on pillows, window treatments and upholstery -- and increased the price substantially. I implore you not to get emotionally attached to a design board without the dollars associated with each choice.

Since then, I have ( and have advised friends, to great effect) relied on luxury home magazine photos and photos of interiors of luxury homes on realtor.com et. al. to design rooms. The "look" is really what you are after in most cases rather than the name of the furniture maker. You have to be very careful, though, to use a very keen eye -- the shape of the sofa's arms and legs, the height of the dining chair against the table, etc. -- and not to mix-and-match. You may like a chair in one photo and a rug in another but remember that the reason you like a specific piece is its placement and its relationship with what is also in the room.

Paint colors used to e the stick point, but now, many of the luxury home magazines publish the name and shade of the color used on the walls in that room. Again, you need to get a sample to test how the light will affect the look in your room, but with a little legwork and time on your end ( the internet is incredibly useful) you can save a lot of money and end up both happy with the results and also the pride that comes with doing it yourself...

I have used this approach to design a New England barn, a shabby chic lake house, a traditional Georgian Colonial and a modern New York apartment. I am sure that a professional would have done a more polished job, but I truly love my homes.

I'm an incurable do it yourselfer. I simply get too much enjoyment out of building and then decorating a space to give it over to someone else to have all the fun. I believe above all else your home should be a reflection of you, not someone else's interpretation of you. For instance, I can't whip up a design and then go shopping. It might take months of many iterations before it starts feeling right. Start with one piece, then another, look at it for a while, then do more etc...

"When the other side needs to make up ridiculous assumptions to counter your point, you know they have no real argument"

Given the first side started with claiming that interior designers are designing products because they picked the fabric, I think the ridiculous meter was WELL hit way before I responded...

A good designer will earn his/her 30-35% and not just "pick out the couch" but do the project from start to finish including- drawings and specifications, making sure whats being built by the GC and crew follows the drawing, and knowing where to source everything for each room.

Honestly i have family and friends who have used Design by Francois LLC (www.francoistenenbaum.com) and he did all the above - he has an architect he works with who all he needs to do is sign off on his drawings and DOB filings (when an architect/engineer signature is needed).

The furniture and finishing selection should be only ONE of the aspects a good interior designer will help you with. Additionally the 40% trade discount that designers get on everything cancels out the cost they are charging you for their services. Any designer who just does this aspect is probably not worth using.

"drawings and specifications"

I like how we've gone on for days now, and lots of words get used, and noone has explained about anything they do other than picking the objects, the upholstery, and the paint colors.

What is the guy drawing? Couches?

somewhereelse, you keep ranting about the DECORATORS, NOT DESIGNERS, ok?

A designer will plan the space. Yes, specs, walls, materials, measurements, etc.
When, for whatever reason, one hires help, doesn't it mean that one cannot do it him/herself?
Professionals exist for a reason. And there are a lot of bad designers and not just as many good ones. Just as in any other field.

"What is the guy drawing? Couches?"

NO. Although he can do that too - its exactly as inquirer said.

A designer will survey the apt/house and can do the drawings for a gent reno with specs for sizes of crown moldings, where the interior lighting goes, etc.

somewhereelse - a while back 30 yrs. posted pictures of his place to illustrate pre-war details,etc. that he had done during his gut renov. Can you post pictures of your place, designed, planned, executed by yourself, no "decorator" "designer". Just to let everyone know the possibilities of "self-design"?

why don't you post your photos---money is no object.

Hey, your type is all small and gray, so is mine. Maybe we are cousins?

I think the answer is probably - you get what you pay for. If you hire a designer who takes 30-35%, they will probably do quite a bit, as others above have mentioned - not just pick out a few pant colors and matching sofa. If that isn't in your budget there lots of other options. For example, a few years ago when I was looking to furnish a new construction 1 bedroom condo I was buying, I went to various furniture stores in SoHo. Some of them (Desiron, for one) have sales reps who are interior designers that you can hire as independent designers (i.e., outside their capacity as sales reps in the stores they work for) for about $125/hour to do the work. I imagine you won't get quite as extensive work as you would for a traditional designer charging 30%, but it is a good option if your budget is limited (i.e., more than using the free service at Ethan Allen but less than what you had been quoted).

As an aside, I called one designer and asked what kind of budget she thought I needed for my new construction 1 bedroom condo (which I was going to buy fully finished - I just needed panting, furniture, etc). She said "at an absolute minimum, $150,000). That was so out of my price range, I didn't even stay on the phone to find out what I got for that (although in hindsight, I would like to know - I can't imagine how one could possibly spend $150,000 decorating and furnishing an already built 850 sq ft apartment).

30yrs, do you still have your pictures up somewhere? I missed them the first time around and am curious to see what you had done. If you re-post the link, I'd be much obliged.