Interior Design & Renovation Proposal

Interior Design & Renovation Proposal Template: Quote for Architects and Interior Designers

This Interior Design & Renovation Proposal template is a client-ready quote for architects and interior designers pricing a residential or commercial interior project. It sets out the design scope, renovation coordination, fees, allowances, and terms before work starts.

Use it to charge for services such as space planning, concept design, construction drawings, finishes and furniture selection, contractor coordination, site visits, and installation styling. The proposal makes clear which services are billed as fixed fees, hourly work, percentages of construction cost, or reimbursable expenses.

Why use this proposal template

• Define the scope before the first drawing. Separate concept design, design development, construction documentation, procurement, and construction administration so the client knows what is included at each stage.
• Protect your design fee. State your hourly rate, fixed-fee milestones, deposit, payment schedule, and charges for revisions or additional site visits outside the agreed scope.
• Clarify renovation responsibilities. Distinguish your role from that of the general contractor, engineer, permit expediter, and trade contractors. This prevents assumptions about pricing, scheduling, permits, or site supervision.
• Present a professional budget. Show design fees separately from construction estimates, furniture and finish allowances, delivery charges, and reimbursable expenses.
• Make approval easier. A structured interior design quote gives clients a clear path from proposal acceptance to deposit payment and project kickoff.

What the template includes

• Client and project details: Client name, property address, project type, estimated square footage, target timeline, and the rooms or areas covered by the proposal.
• Project brief and objectives: The client’s functional needs, aesthetic direction, renovation goals, occupancy requirements, and budget parameters.
• Scope of interior design services: Space planning, mood boards, finish palettes, millwork concepts, lighting layouts, furniture plans, specifications, and presentation meetings.
• Renovation and documentation scope: Demolition plans, reflected ceiling plans, interior elevations, finish schedules, kitchen or bathroom layouts, and drawing packages for contractor pricing where applicable.
• Deliverables by phase: Clearly list what the client receives during concept design, design development, documentation, procurement, and installation.
• Fee schedule: Fixed fees, hourly rates, percentage-based procurement fees, retainers, payment milestones, and any additional-service rates.
• Furniture, fixtures, and equipment allowances: Budget allowances for items such as cabinetry, tile, lighting, plumbing fixtures, upholstery, window treatments, and appliances.
• Reimbursable expenses: Samples, printing, travel, courier fees, project photography, storage, delivery, and freight or receiving charges.
• Exclusions and responsibilities: Structural engineering, MEP design, permit fees, contractor labor, code review, hazardous-material testing, and other services not included in the design fee.
• Terms and acceptance: Revision limits, project schedule assumptions, purchasing terms, cancellation conditions, late-payment terms, and signature fields.

How much to charge for interior design and renovation services

Interior design fees depend on location, project complexity, client budget, and the level of technical documentation required. These are general North American ranges to adjust for your experience and local market.

• Hourly interior design services: $125 to $300 per hour for consultations, design revisions, contractor calls, site visits, and out-of-scope work.
• Initial consultation: $250 to $750 for a 60- to 120-minute consultation, often credited toward the full design fee if the client proceeds.
• Single-room design package: $1,200 to $5,000 for a living room, bedroom, or home office, depending on drawings, sourcing, and installation support.
• Kitchen or bathroom design: $3,500 to $12,000 for layout planning, finish selection, cabinetry coordination, and construction drawings. Complex custom kitchens may be priced higher.
• Whole-home renovation design: $8 to $25 per square foot for interior design services, or a fixed fee based on the project phases and drawing requirements.
• Procurement fee: 15% to 35% of the net furniture and furnishings cost, or a transparent hourly purchasing rate. State whether trade discounts are passed on, shared, or retained.
• Construction administration: $150 to $350 per site visit, or a monthly retainer for coordination during active construction.

Who this template is for

• Interior designers quoting a full-room, multi-room, or whole-home renovation.
• Architects providing interior architecture, space planning, and finish-selection services.
• Residential designers working on kitchens, bathrooms, additions, condominiums, and custom homes.
• Commercial interior designers pricing offices, retail spaces, hospitality areas, clinics, or tenant improvements.
• Designers offering furniture sourcing, procurement, receiving, and installation coordination.
• Professionals preparing a proposal before engaging a general contractor or issuing a drawing package for bid.

Frequently asked questions

Should an interior design proposal include the construction budget?

Yes. Include a preliminary construction budget or client-provided budget as a planning reference, but identify it as an estimate unless you are providing contractor pricing. Keep contractor labor, permit costs, and design fees separate to avoid confusion.

How many revisions should I include in a design proposal?

State a specific number for each phase, such as two rounds of revisions during concept design and one round during design development. Additional revisions should be billed hourly or under a written change order.

Should I charge a deposit before starting interior design work?

Yes. A deposit or retainer is standard and should be due when the proposal is signed, before site measuring, design development, or purchasing begins. Many designers use a first payment of $1,200, $2,500, or another amount tied to the size of the project.

Am I responsible for contractor work and construction defects?

Your proposal should explain that the contractor is responsible for means and methods, site safety, workmanship, scheduling, and trade coordination unless you are separately contracted for those services. Site visits can document design intent, but they do not replace contractor supervision or required inspections.