What Does an Interior Designer Cost in the Bay Area?
“What does a designer cost in the Bay Area?” That’s a difficult question to answer simply. Not because no one knows, but because there are so many ways of charging for professional services. In fact, it’s not unlike asking what a lawyer charges. It varies widely across the board. Some designers work on an hourly basis, some charge a percentage, and others set a flat fee per project — and that fee will probably vary widely from project to project depending on the scope of work.
What a designer charges to design and renovate a bathroom will vary from what we charge to design and help build an entire custom home. The fee for design only is different from the fee for designing a space and managing the entire project (hundreds of hours of work) to completion. You get the idea.
However, I don’t want to leave you empty handed, so let’s talk about some basics you’ll want to know before hiring an interior designer and having those investment budgeting conversations. Below, I’m sharing the four most common fee structures for interior designers, along with some typical investment ranges. But first, I want to give you some quick words of advice…
An Important Fact to Remember When Hiring an Interior Designer
I know you’re reading this because being smart with your investment matters to you, and of course, it does. It’s no secret that new builds and renovations require a significant investment. However, I want to remind you that part of making a smart investment is investing in the people you genuinely trust to represent you well and do a great job.
Don’t miss the chance to find someone whose personality and style fits beautifully with your own. It’s valuable to create a lasting relationship with your designer — and I would argue that this relationship is equally fundamental (if not more) to investing wisely in your project.
Your designer must deeply understand your needs and expertly balance everything you want: beauty, functionality for your dream lifestyle, and investing wisely in materials and features that improve your life and your home value without breaking the bank. That requires communication and connection. So my suggestion is to do your due diligence to find the person or people who are right for you and your family.
Okay, now that I know you have the right mindset, we’re ready to talk numbers…
The Flat Fee Structure
What it is: There is one flat fee for the whole project or for the design portion of the project.
Pros: A flat fee structure is clear and straightforward. You know what to expect, and fees are usually paid up front, so you don’t have to worry about it throughout the project.
Cons: The downside of flat fee structure is that the scope needs to stay pretty tight to stay within your agreed-upon budget, and there’s usually a bigger lump sum required upfront. Because it’s not as flexible for changing scope (such as adding on a bathroom renovation), doing so will usually require an additional proposal and flat fee for any new work.
Range: Varies widely based on the scope of the project, your region (e.g. SF Bay Area vs. Kansas), and the designer (level of experience, years in business, clientele served, etc.)
Part of a designer’s fee may include 3D renderings, like this one from a Memmo Interiors project in SF, which help you visualize your new space before any demolition or construction takes place. This ensures you feel confident in your investment and the result!
The Hourly Fee Structure
What it is: An hourly rate for time worked; could be just the design portion or could extend to the entire project.
Pros: Hourly rates are clear and flexible. The payments are usually spread out more over the course of your project, and you can easily add scope to a project without a new proposal or contract needed. An increase in scope will simply increase the number of hours involved, and your designer will give you a general quote for these in advance, so they’re not a surprise.
Cons: The cons of the hourly fee structure is that, as a client, you may not always know the whole cost upfront, especially if you elect to change scope partway through. You also get billed regularly throughout the whole project (which could be a pro or a con, depending on your point of view), although payments may not be the same from month to month.
Range: $130-$250+/hour; required hours vary widely based on project scope (e.g. kitchen reno vs. full home). Rates vary by your region (e.g. SF Bay Area vs. Kansas) and the designer (level of experience, years in business, clientele served, etc.)
Most designers will present materials, fabrics, and furnishings to you for approval during the design phase. We will also include quotes to show you how they fit into the scheme of your overall budget. We don’t order anything until it’s all approved!
The Percentage Fee Structure
What it is: A designer’s rate could be set as a percentage of the project’s square footage or a percentage of the construction cost. Each designer will also decide how they prefer to collect payments, which could be upfront or in installments spread out over the project.
Pros: The percentage of your project’s square footage is a pretty clear rate. If you know your square footage you know the fee; if scope changes and you decide to add on an additional space in your home, the increase in cost is directly proportional.
Cons: In general, you may be paying a bit more overall to account for more expensive features / materials and the maximum anticipated time a designer would spend on your project. Using the percentage of your construction costs to set design fees is also less straightforward because you don’t always know the full cost upfront.
Range: 10%-30%. Construction costs may vary widely by your region (e.g. SF Bay Area vs. Kansas). The percentage charged may vary with the designer (level of service provided, experience, years in business, clientele served, etc.)
I personally find “percentage of square footage” fees to be difficult to justify. A kitchen like this one Memmo Interiors designed in Millbrae, regardless of its square footage, could take drastically more or less time and expense if you are moving plumbing and electrical or taking down walls. Percent of construction costs feels more likely to be a fair representation in proportion to the work required.
The Mixed Fee Structure
What it is: Some designers will have a fee structure that combines a couple of the structures I shared above. Sometimes, it’s a flat fee for the design portion and then hourly or a percentage fee structure for the project management aspect of a renovation or custom new build.
Pros: Mixing fee structures can get you “the best of both worlds” from the fee structures shared above.
Cons: Working within multiple structures can feel slightly convoluted, especially if your designer doesn’t have great upfront communication or well-set expectations. Make sure you clearly understand the fee structure before getting started. If you’re even a little confused, I highly suggest getting clarity before signing anything.
Range: Varies widely on scope of project and the interior designer
What Fee Structure Does Memmo Interiors Use?
Great question! I’ve weighed the pros and cons of all of the above structures in my own business, and here is where I landed: I charge an hourly rate for the entire process.
To me, an hourly structure keeps the fee clear and straightforward for each of our clients. I provide an estimated range of hours upfront during the proposal process, so clients can set realistic expectations and have an idea of what their investment will be. During the project, if scope changes, we discuss what additional hours may be involved. Exact rates are provided in initial conversations with potential clients, as well as in my contract.
Looking for more insights into budgeting and designing your home? Read how to create an investment budget for your new build here, or inquire about our services and rates here.
Happy Designing!
Rosanna
