Interior Designer Invoice Template
Interior design billing is more complex than most service businesses because it mixes professional fees with product procurement, contractor coordination, and trade discounts. This template keeps those revenue streams organized so your clients see a professional breakdown and your books stay clean.
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What to include on an interior design invoice
Interior design invoices typically carry two types of charges: service fees (your time and expertise) and product/procurement charges (furniture, fixtures, materials purchased on the client's behalf). Keep these clearly separated. Service fees: initial consultation, space planning and floor plans, concept development, material and finish specification, project management, and site visits. Procurement: list each item with vendor, quantity, retail price, your trade price, client price (retail minus your trade discount arrangement), and freight charges. Be explicit about whether you charge a markup on trade purchases or a flat project-management fee — most clients appreciate transparency here.
How interior designers charge for their work
The three most common fee structures are: flat project fee (a lump sum agreed upfront, best for defined scopes like a single room), hourly rate ($100–$300/hr for established designers), and cost-plus procurement (you charge a markup — typically 30–50% — on products you source at trade price). Many designers use a hybrid: hourly design fee plus cost-plus procurement. For residential projects, a full home redesign might carry $15,000–$60,000+ in design fees alone before product costs. For commercial projects, square-footage-based pricing is common. Always clarify your fee structure in writing before beginning.
When to invoice for interior design work
Invoice your design retainer upfront before any work begins. For product orders, invoice before placing the order — you should not be extending credit to clients by purchasing furniture on their behalf and waiting for reimbursement. Use a separate invoice for each vendor order. For long-term projects, monthly billing of hours plus any procurement charges keeps cash flow steady and prevents a large end-of-project bill shock.
Getting paid reliably as an interior designer
Collect a design retainer equal to 20–30% of your estimated design fee before starting. Never place a vendor order without client payment — even with trade accounts, you're personally liable. For procurement, require payment before ordering, not on delivery. Keep signed purchase orders for every item so you have documentation if a client disputes a charge.
Frequently asked questions
Should I disclose my trade discount to clients?
This is your business decision. Some designers pass through trade pricing with a set markup; others charge retail and keep the trade discount. Either is legitimate, but be consistent and transparent in your contract about your procurement fee structure.
How do I handle a client who wants to return items?
List your return policy on each procurement invoice. Many trade vendors don't accept returns on custom or COM (customer's own material) items. Make sure clients understand this before ordering.
Can I charge for travel to showrooms?
Yes — mileage or travel time to vendor showrooms, client site visits, and installation supervision should all be billable. List them as 'Site visit — 2 hours' or 'Mileage — 45 miles at $X/mile.'