Design Fee Guide Part 3

In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m sharing innovative ways to scale your design business and increase profitability through strategic partnerships. Partnering with other designers, contractors, or vendors can open the door to high-profile, big-budget projects you wouldn’t tackle on your own—all while keeping your business independent and financially secure.I’ll discuss real-world examples of successful partnerships, from design-build collaborations with architects and contractors to forming teams for larger projects like model homes or multifamily housing. You’ll also learn how to leverage stocking dealer accounts with other designers to maximize margins and streamline purchasing.In this episode, I cover:How strategic partnerships can unlock bigger opportunitiesWhy maintaining financial independence is crucialReal-world examples of partnerships that boost profitabilityTips for combining resources to secure vendor accountsHow to scale your business without adding unnecessary stressReady to scale smarter? Visit Interior Design Business Academy to book a call and explore how we can help you grow your business sustainably.I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you wondering if now is the right time to hire for your design business? In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m diving into the key indicators that it’s time to bring on help and how hiring can transform your business. 🚀From spotting the signs that you’re ready for extra support to understanding the financial impact of delegation, I’ll show you how hiring strategically can free up your time, improve client satisfaction, and drive profitability. Whether you’re overwhelmed with admin tasks or feel stuck in the DIY mindset, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the leap.In this episode, I cover:How to recognize the signs you’re ready to hireThe financial benefits of delegation for scaling your businessHow hiring the right help improves workflow and profitabilityPractical strategies for taking the first step toward building a teamIf you’re ready to stop feeling overworked and start scaling your business with confidence, this episode is for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Do you feel like you can’t afford to hire help for your design business? In this episode of Interior Design Business, I’m flipping that belief on its head and showing you why you actually can’t afford NOT to hire someone to help you. I’ll break down how just one extra billed hour can pay for several hours of administrative support each week, freeing up your time to focus on income-generating activities like designing and marketing. You’ll learn how the DIY approach is costing you more than you realize—your time, energy, and even client satisfaction. Plus, I’ll share actionable strategies for tracking your time, identifying where you’re losing productivity, and scaling your business with a small but impactful team.In this episode, I cover:Why hiring help is a critical step for growthThe hidden costs of trying to do everything yourselfHow to track your time and identify tasks to delegateThe 80/20 rule for maximizing your productivity and profitsStrategies for scaling your design business effectivelyIf you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start scaling your business, this episode is for you. Let’s turn your time into money and take your design business to the next level! Ready to SCALE? Check out my workshop, SCALE! Your Design Business: https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com/scale-your-design-business/I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, we’re diving into the challenges of staying in control during remodeling projects. When clients bring contractors into the mix too early, things can quickly get complicated. We’ll explore a real-life case where a designer lost control of a kitchen remodel after the client and contractor made changes without the designer’s input, leading to budget cuts and project issues.Learn essential strategies to avoid these pitfalls, such as finalizing project details before introducing contractors, developing a clear scope of work, and ensuring contracts are signed and funded before any contractor-client interactions. We also discuss how to communicate the impact of design changes, from increased costs to potential liability issues, and the importance of maintaining control over the project from start to finish.Topics covered in this episode include:Why you should avoid bringing contractors in too earlyThe importance of finalizing scope and budget before contractor-client meetingsHow to handle client-led design changes and DIY effortsTips for maintaining control throughout remodeling projectsIf you’ve ever felt sidelined during a remodeling job, this episode is for you. Take back control and ensure a smooth project flow!Book a Clarity Call I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I’m sharing how design fees can streamline your workflow, increase profitability, and create a smoother process from start to finish. I dive into why setting up clear budget agreements and scopes of work upfront can eliminate wasted time and unpredictable income, making it easier to plan your day, manage your time, and focus on what matters most.Through design fees, you’ll gain control over your schedule, minimize last-minute client changes, and present the entire project as a cohesive concept. This approach keeps you in charge, ensures clients understand the full scope, and allows you to get paid upfront—all while delivering a superior experience.In this episode, I cover:How design fees eliminate guesswork and boost profitsWhy budget and scope agreements streamline the processPlanning deliverables and managing time effectivelyPresenting the total project for a single, cohesive saleInvitation to the Design Fee Formula workshopIf you’re ready to streamline your design process, increase profitability, and gain control over your projects, this episode is for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, we’re unpacking the different methods for calculating design fees—whether by square footage, hourly rates, or fixed fees—and how to choose the best approach for your business. With insights on the pros and cons of each method, I’ll guide you on using these strategies to communicate clearly with clients, define project scope, and set up profitable billing practices.We’ll also discuss why hourly billing, while not always ideal, can be a valuable tool for handling additional client requests, and how to treat these add-ons as new business opportunities. Plus, I’ll introduce the Design Fee Formula workshop, designed to provide in-depth training on calculating fees effectively and managing time wisely.In this episode, we cover:Design fee structures: square footage, hourly, and fixed feesWhy clear communication and scope of work are keyThe advantages and disadvantages of hourly billingStrategies for handling additional client requests and upsellingIntroduction to the Design Fee Formula workshopIf you’re ready to take control of your pricing and ensure your fees reflect the value of your work, this episode is for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I’m discussing why design fees are a smarter choice than hourly billing for designers who want to grow their income and client satisfaction. If you’re still charging by the hour, you may be leaving money on the table and running into unnecessary challenges.I’ll share insights on how hourly billing can hold experienced designers back, lead to cash flow issues, and even create friction with clients. We’ll explore the advantages of design fees, from improving cash flow to setting clear project expectations, and how shifting to fee-based agreements can lead to more profitable, trusting client relationships. Plus, I invite you to join the Design Fee Formula masterclass to refine your pricing strategy and set yourself up for consistent success.In this episode, I cover:Why hourly billing often undervalues experienced designersThe cash flow and trust issues that time billing can createHow design fees offer a structured, profitable approachBenefits of fee-based agreements for client relationshipsInvitation to the Design Fee Formula masterclassIf you’re ready to improve your pricing strategy, build trust with clients, and get paid what you’re worth, this episode is for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, I dive deeper into the challenges designers face when it comes to billing, especially with hourly rates and managing legacy clients. If you’ve ever found yourself taking on small, low-paying jobs that end up consuming more time than you estimated, this episode is for you!I share real-world examples, like the outdoor wall sconces project and a reupholstering job that went off track, to highlight why these types of jobs can become unprofitable. More importantly, I discuss how to break this cycle by implementing a structured design fee formula that’s tailored to your business stage. By setting a minimum design fee, you can enhance your profitability, protect your personal time, and elevate your professionalism.Listen in to learn how to qualify potential clients, stop shrinking to fit smaller projects, and start charging what your services are truly worth!In this episode, I cover:The pitfalls of hourly billing and small jobsReal-life examples of design jobs gone wrongHow to break the loop of unprofitable workIntroducing a minimum design fee to boost profitabilityStrategies for qualifying potential clients with confidenceIf you’re ready to set boundaries, create a profitable pricing structure, and start getting paid for the value you bring, this episode is for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you ready to start charging what you’re worth as a designer? In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, we focus on enhancing your billing practices and shifting your mindset toward valuing your design services. Host Terri Taylor shares key strategies to help you improve your billing accuracy, manage your time effectively, and maximize your income by focusing on design fees instead of product sales.Discover how tracking your time and setting clear deliverables can lead to substantial annual earnings, and learn why self-worth plays a crucial role in client acceptance of your design fees. This episode also features practical tips for structuring your workweek to hit 20 paid design hours and build a consistent, profitable income.Topics covered in this episode include:How to track time and improve billing accuracyThe importance of charging for design services, not product salesExample earnings based on hourly ratesShifting your mindset to communicate your value confidentlyInvitation to the free webinar: ‘Design Fees Unlocked’If you’re ready to charge what you’re worth and create consistent income from design fees, this episode is for you!Design fees unlocked: 5 secrets to getting paid what you're worthI would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.

Are you ready to confidently charge what you’re worth as a designer? In this episode of the Interior Design Business podcast, host Terri Taylor continues the discussion on overcoming pricing challenges and the importance of having transparent money conversations with clients.Terri shares why forming budget agreements can lead to higher fees than you might expect, and how mental barriers like self-worth and imposter syndrome can get in the way of proper pricing. Learn how your environment can influence your income and why surrounding yourself with a supportive community is crucial to your success. Topics covered in this episode include:How to discuss costs openly with clientsThe impact of self-worth and imposter syndrome on pricingWhy your inner circle influences your income potentialHow to gradually step up your pricing strategyIf you’ve struggled with pricing your services, this episode will help you take the next steps towards charging your worth.I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/InteriorDesignBusinessAcademy or Instagram: instagram.com/interiordesignbusinessacademy!Show notes are available at https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com.