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Interior Design Contract Template

An interior design contract is a legally binding agreement between a client and a contractor providing interior design services. The document outlines the specific services to be provided by the designer and how the client will pay for these services.
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Updated May 27, 2025

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What Does an Interior Designer Do?

An interior designer is a design professional who works to make spaces functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. Interior designers are often hired by homeowners or by private businesses, such as offices, hotels, restaurants, and event spaces.

In addition to creativity and attention to detail, an interior designer also possesses skills in project management, communication, and problem-solving. Talented designers effectively combine aesthetic abilities with technical know-how and adept customer service.

Do Interior Designers Need Licenses?

Whether an interior designer needs a license depends on the state. Many states require that a person pass a state-approved exam in order to use the title “interior designer” or to do professional design work at all.

Check your local laws or the Council for Interior Design Qualification‘s website to determine the specific licensing requirements in your state.

Typical Costs

The cost of hiring an interior designer can vary widely, depending on the services being requested and the location of the working space. In the United States, the average cost of a full-service interior design project is between $5,000 and $11,000.

Average Pay

  • Median Annual Salary: $62,510[1]
  • Average Hourly Rate: $93.43[2]

What Should Be Included?

In general, an interior design service contract should discuss each of the following:

Scope of Work

The contract should detail the services that the designer will offer to the client. This can include specific types of design work the designer will perform, concrete deliverables they will be expected to produce, or the number of rooms they will be working on.

Payment

The contract should explicitly outline the payment amount and method for the designer. This is commonly written as either an hourly rate or a lump sum for the entire project. The contract should also state whether the client will be required to pay a retainer.

Location

The location or locations where the designer will be working should be included in the contract. Being specific about the location helps to prevent potential confusion or misunderstanding about how much work the designer is expected to perform.

Timeline

The start and end date of the service provider’s work should also be laid out in the text of the contract. If there is not a specific end date, the contract should state when and how the service provider’s work will come to an end.

Independent Contractor Status

Your contract should include a clause stating that the interior designer is an independent contractor and that they are responsible for paying their own federal and state income taxes.

Sample Interior Design Contract

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Interior Designers
  2. General Services Administration – Labor Ceiling Rates