interior designer pricing — Interior Design Business Resources

When you buy retail, you buy at an inflated price. Yet, more and more clients want to buy retail. They want their furniture quick and easy. Not to mention cheap. But what they (and you) may not realize is that you're likely paying a much bigger "markup" on retail compared to the quality that you get than to-the-trade sources.

Usually when buying to-the-trade the cost to quality ratio is much better. Clients get more for their money. They'll be paying a smaller markup to the designer rather than a large markup to the retailer.

Why Discounts Are Hurting Business

When you discount your services, you are undercutting the value of the entire industry. Ever bought a Groupon for a discounted exercise class, but then never went again for full price? If you pay less for something it is really hard to fork over more money later. When you lower the price of something, it sets a precedent and people don't want to pay more for it. The perceived value goes down. This may not matter when you are first starting or if you are in a slump and need whatever clients you can get, but it will matter when you are wanting to get paid more for your services or want to work on higher budgets. It also matters to all the other designers out there working their butts off and growing their businesses.