Design Within Flat Fees?

5 comments

1. hopeinbrokelyn on Sep 29, 2009, 3:10 pm:

   It’s a tough call. Design taste is so subjective. I’m not sure a flat fee service would be feasible for the designer [and maybe not even desirable by the customer if the designs became package/bundle deals that are generic and prefabricated]. If it’s designed in accordance with the the individual, that’s almost like saying one piece of art painted for one person should cost the same as an entirely different piece of art painted for the next, and the next, and the next.

   Designers [at least in fashion] do seem to be carving out a niche market in the middle so that the masses have access to it, but their brand and style isn’t compromised at the upper end.

   There is a middle ground to be found. It’s not an all or nothing type deal. All it takes is a personal interest in creating your home, being aware of what matters to you, and then doing the research the implement it. The products are out there and more are coming every day. There’s so much access to ideas and information now, just surfing the net, you can be your own coordinator of the designer items [high end or not] you choose.

   If the choice itself frightens you and you just want someone to choose for you, then you can eventually realize your choice is not to choose for yourself. So if you’re annoyed about paying too much for that, well…I feel ya but I can’t help ya.
2. highglossblue on Sep 29, 2009, 3:16 pm:

   Flat fee pricing is a great option for both parties in residential design as much of the commercial world uses this strategy now. Here’s why its good: everybody knows the stakes, everybody knows the limits, everybody knows the rules. As long as we as designers know the budget up front it poses no problem at all to stay within the lines. A client selecting a designer using this model must feel comfortable knowing a flat fee is going to come with a finite number of revisions, but didn’t they hire the designer for his or her opinions in the beginning. Good desire and beautiful spaces are available at any price point, now more than ever.
3. Enid Dachs on Sep 30, 2009, 7:52 am:

   I just started doing a flat fee and find that it is more successful than an hourly fee. The problem is scoping out the job so I get the right priced flat fee. But that is another story.
   Personally I have a tough time keeping up with the hours to be billed and the flat fee frees me from that worry.
4. Dean Farris on Sep 30, 2009, 8:25 am:

   I have been charging my clients the flat fee for several years now, with a percentage added on to purchases. This seems to work out for both parties. If heavy remodeling is involved, and the designer becomes a project manager too, then we need to collect a second fee or percentage for that service, which is substantial due to the time and energy required.

   Dean Farris, Allied ASID
   Dean Farris Interior Design
   Naples, Florida, US
5. Jennifer Tessieri on Oct 6, 2009, 5:00 pm:

   I have always found that an hourly is best. I have been working in the industry long enough to know how long it takes me to accomplish many, if not all, the tasks required for the job. This way I can give the client estimates for the hours and if she/he changes the plan or we have to start over I can’t complain about the extra work. If I gave a client a flat fee, I feel like I would be watching the hours constantly. Also, different rooms and projects require different amounts of time. Many of my clients are “middle income” families. The hourly allows us to keep a reasonable budget.

Leave a comment