Interior Design Fee Estimator & Pricing Comparison
Compare 5 different pricing methods side-by-side to find the highest-profit, lowest-risk fee structure for your studio contracts with dynamic margins and spacious layout.
Stop leaving money on the table. The Pro License includes automatic Change Order generation when clients ask for out-of-scope revisions.
| Pricing Method | Selling Fee | Net Margin |
|---|---|---|
|
Target Margin
Recommended
Calculates exact selling price to lock target net margin
|
$15,385 | +35.0% |
|
Cost-Plus Markup
Adds percentage markup directly on cost base
|
$13,500 | +25.9% |
|
Fixed Lump Sum
Packaged contract price with built-in contingency buffer
|
$14,200 | +29.5% |
|
Blended Hourly Billing
Hours multiplied by client billing rate
|
$17,250 | +27.5% |
|
Area-Based Benchmark Rate
Floor area benchmark rate equivalent
|
$14,500 | +31.0% |
Markup vs. Margin: The Costly Mistake 70% of Designers Make
Adding a 35% markup to your costs is NOT the same as earning a 35% margin! A 35% markup on a $10,000 cost results in an $13,500 selling price, which leaves you with only a 25.9% net margin. To truly keep 35% of your invoice in your studio account, you must divide your cost base by (1 - 0.35), yielding $15,385. Our toolkit prevents this invisible profit leak on every single proposal.
Which Pricing Method Is Best for Your Studio?
For residential clients where scope is volatile, Target Margin billing with milestone locks provides the strongest legal protection. For commercial fit-outs with strict tender specifications, a blended Fixed Lump Sum with change-order buffer prevents client friction.