Designer Thoughts: Outlining and explaining fees can be tricky and often controversial to clarify without knowing anything at all about a project. When it comes to fee structures, I like to keep things simple and transparent. We offer a fixed fee structured pricing system for design services, ensuring complete transparency regarding the costs throughout the entire project and each specific design phase. I'm going to do my best to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a full home and interior design project fee.
Interior design fees and architectural design fees can be a bit complex to figure out, and is rarely as simple as just giving a quick quote without detailed insight on all the the scope of work, the brief, the build budget, the design fee budget, the project location, and the timeframe etc. But of course I understand and appreciate the importance of getting a handle on the pricing structures for design services if you're planning a renovation, interior design, or architectural design project. In the world of design, us professionals usually offer different fee structures, like fixed fees or hourly rates, or a hybrid of the two. Each structure has its own perks and things to think about. I’d like to break down how design fees work here at Natalie Boyd Designs because it's something that often comes up early in discussions with potential clients.
A fixed fee structure is a mutually beneficial arrangement, and it means you'll know exactly what you're paying for the whole project and specific design phases. For us, fixed fee structure works best when we have a clear idea of what the project will entail from the beginning, and we establish this in a highly detailed brief which is filled out online or face to face with me. In saying this, projects can evolve and change as they progress, and unexpected design requests, or modifications can arise. In these cases, an hourly rate structure can be beneficial. Charging by the hour allows us to account for additional time and effort required when the scope of work expands. This flexibility allows for the incorporation of client input, design revisions, and unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the design stages.
To ensure transparency and avoid misunderstandings, it is vital that we establish clear communication regarding fees, payment schedules, and how changes in the scope of work will be handled. Therefore after our briefing, clients receive a design proposal which includes design stages, the Scope of Work (description of the project's work requirements within its design stages), design fees, and a detailed contract outlining these details, which helps establish a fair and collaborative relationship between myself, my team and my clients.
I will give you a rough idea of what you can expect to pay for a full home design, it's coming I promise... But first, below I have listed things we consider once we have gone through a discovery call, decided if the project is right for the studio and that we are a good fit to work together, your brief and possibly a site visit to calculate design fees. What I am listing below are requirements for a Full Home Design with Documentation Ready for Construction (This usually includes structural engineer drawings and landscape design)
Project Location eg. travel time, site conditions; opportunities and limitations. Council regulations and approval processes, compliance checklists, heritage permits and research etc.
The Scope of Work - Requirements for the building/design eg. house size, how many rooms, how much custom joinery, how many wet areas, complexity of the desired home/building, outdoor area design and design detail complexity, design documentation requirements, interior design scope and specifications, soft furnishings, art and lighting sourcing and scheduling.
Amount of detail required for design and documentation, eg. structural design complexity, exterior concept, design detail and complexity, interior design and documentation for joinery, wet areas, lighting, custom window & door designs, complexity in construction documentation.
Style of home - level of complexity in design details, sourcing materials and building requirements.
Level of communication with builders, trades, structural engineer, suppliers, and other industry professionals and experts.
Communication, number of presentations and site visits with clients.
If clients already have a builder in mind, or helping clients with bidding, negotiating and tender process.
To give you an idea of what our design fees would be, calculating fees as a percentage of the project cost, typically between 4% and 8%, provides a broad but relatively accurate estimate for a full home design project ready for construction. This approach aligns the fees with the project's scale, scope, detail and complexity, offering a transparent and proportional initial cost assessment. If your build budget is $3M for example, you want a full home design, including materials & finishes selections, interior design selections including art, furniture, floor and window furnishings, pool, landscape design etc., once again depending on the home and design requirements the design fee could be around the $120,000 - $200,000 +. This fee also depends if procurement is included in the scope of work.
Another example could be, if you have a $1.5M build budget, not wanting a full interior design service selection of furniture, art & decor, landscape design concept, focusing mostly on floor plan and interior fixtures and finishes and wanting that designer style, plan and service, this could be done at approximately 4 - 6% of the build budget. Once again though, each project and client are unique and will receive a tailored and personalised design proposal to suit their budget and requirements.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your upcoming project, or to chat about how we can tailor our services to your needs and requirements, or if you simply have questions about the information in this article, I'm always happy to answer questions.
Below I have outlined what we offer and how we work with you on Full Home Designs.
Tailored floor plans ~ Focusing on you and your family, I create plans that suit your lifestyle and specific needs and budget, crafting customized floor plans that perfectly match your one-of-a-kind lifestyle, individual requirements and pay close attention to your preferences and brief, ensuring optimal functionality and comfort. When creating floor plans I am visualising not only optimal space and room layout, size, and flow preferences - I am already envisaging the aesthetics, materials, style and furniture as a final product.
Bringing your visions to life ~ I can translate your ideas into a distinct design style. Most clients come to me because they feel drawn and inspired by the pared back, raw and refined look, calming and fresh, quietly luxurious yet comfortable style. I listen to you closely and incorporate design elements that truly reflect your taste and preferences.
Interior Design and Furniture Selections ~ Beyond aesthetics, my primary focus lies in the various aspects that affect your daily life and strive to enhance your well-being, cater to your aesthetic preferences and meet all your personal, family, household, entertainment, and future needs. My team and I ensure your home will have the ability to evolve and grow with you, maximise the spaces and configurations to meet your specific needs, and not just be a pretty picture for Instagram - but will also be a pretty picture of course ;-) . From the layout and joinery design, wall finishes to the floor rugs and furniture, the interior design plays a pivotal role to assure a beautiful, livable and functional final outcome.
Material and Finishes Selections ~ I am here to guide you in choosing materials, finishes and fixtures such as door hardware, benchtops, tapware, flooring, paint colour, tiles etc. that align with your aesthetic and functional goals. I source and offer selections of durable, sustainable, beautiful and practical options and curate them into an elevated and stunning design.
Architectural Digital Model ~ The architectural digital model that I create offers a remarkable opportunity to visualize the design with unparalleled realism. Moreover, it breathes life into the 2D drawings and stands as the epitome of effectiveness and efficiency, enabling myself, my clients, structural engineer, builder and trades to establish seamless communication.
One on One Time with me ~ I love designing, the design aspect is my main focus and responsibility in the studio, I love getting to know my clients and bringing their dreams and visions to life. We are a small boutique studio, we are selective with the projects we take so that I can focus on only a few of projects at time. This way, I am with you throughout the entire design phase, working closely with you and your family.
Live Client Portal & Sharing Design Inspiration ~ In the first stage of your design journey with me, you are given access your private Live Client Portal, which is where you will find all documents for your project, all selections of finishes, fixtures, furniture etc. and all other communication between us. This is a live site, with live updates and easy access so you always have insight, control, and updates on your evolving design.
I set up boards and collections on Pinterest and Instagram for your project so we can easily and succinctly share design inspiration and ideas, so much fun! :-)
Revisions and Changes ~ In the Scope of Work and Design Stages, we've got you covered with a set number of revisions for each design stage, usually from 1 to 4 revisions (but each project is unique) depending on your design service budget. If you find that you need more revisions, we can absolutely accommodate your needs at an hourly rate or with a new design fee agreement. This is all discussed and included in our agreement, which outlines the design stages and contract. Rest assured, we're here to make your design process as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability ~ From the very first concept plans, my team and I put a lot of focus and research into the site aspect and sun path in relation to the home. We maximise the sun’s aspect and airflow opportunities. We integrate energy-efficient features into your home design, such as passive solar design, efficient insulation, and sustainable materials. By considering these factors, we help reduce your environmental impact and ensure long-term energy savings.
Meticulously Detailed Design & Construction Documents ~ Our exceptionally intricate and detailed construction drawings and documentation are meticulously prepared representations which serve as a visual blueprint, enabling all stakeholders to fully grasp the envisioned outcome. From you, our valued clients seeking to envision the final product to the builders and other trades and professionals relying on them to guide the entire construction process.
To sum it up, fixed fees offer predictability and clarity, and the hourly rates provide flexibility when the scope of work increases. Effective communication and clear contractual agreements are key to facilitating a successful and mutually beneficial partnership, and to establish a fair and collaborative relationship between myself, my amazing team, and my valued clients.
Hoping this has helped with guidance and an insight into our design and fee process.
Feel free to contact me to discuss your upcoming project, whether it be a Full Home Design or Interior Design. You can Contact me directly or you can fill out the Design Service Form and I will get back to you shortly to organise a Discovery Call!
' Elevated Designs, Tailored Services, Bringing Your Dreams and Visions to Life '
