Interior design per hour rate is a highly specialized and complex field, so you should always find a professional who understands your needs and communicates well. It’s also important to look at the total cost of your project, not just the hourly rate. Some designers quote a flat fee upfront (including materials), and others will charge by the square foot or on a percentage-based basis.
Which field is best for interior design?
Interior designers typically charge an hourly rate of $100 to $200 per designer, on average. This includes all hours directly spent on your space and any time that is indirectly spent on your project, such as travel, site visits, email or phone conversations. This does not include the time it takes to select furnishings or materials. Using the hourly rate structure is popular for smaller projects or for interior designers who work independently from larger design firms.
Percentage-based rates are more common for designers who are contributing to larger construction or renovation projects. They can range from 10% to 45% of the overall project budget. These fees are typically a combination of the designer’s hourly rate and a markup on the contractor management and design fee.
Keep in mind that some professionals will add a line item for travel, deposits, communication minutes and purchase fees to their hourly rate. These can be costly, so it’s important to get these costs upfront and ask for a breakdown of what is included in each charge. Then, you’ll be able to decide whether or not this is a fair price for the type of work that your home requires.