INTERIOR DESIGN CONTRACT ======================== Disclaimer — not legal advice. This template is provided free of charge, as is and with no warranty of any kind, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. It is jurisdiction-neutral: you are responsible for adapting it, for your own legal and tax compliance, and for having a qualified professional in your jurisdiction review it before you rely on it. Full terms: https://trycolo.co/terms-of-use This Interior Design Contract ("Agreement") is made on [EFFECTIVE DATE] between: Designer: [YOUR NAME / STUDIO NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS], email [YOUR EMAIL] (the "Designer") Client: [CLIENT NAME], of [CLIENT ADDRESS], email [CLIENT EMAIL] (the "Client") Project address: [PROJECT ADDRESS] ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Project scope ---------------- 1.1 Spaces in scope: [LIST ROOMS / AREAS, e.g. living room, dining room, primary bedroom]. 1.2 Target completion window: [MONTH/YEAR] to [MONTH/YEAR], subject to vendor lead times (clause 5.4). 1.3 Design phases. Phase | Deliverables | Approval --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- 1. Concept | Measure visit, mood board, preliminary layout, [NUMBER] concept direction(s) | Client written approval 2. Design development | Final floor plan, furniture plan, finish and fabric selections, lighting plan, [WALL DRAWINGS / RENDERINGS] | Client written approval 3. Procurement | Purchase approval sheets, ordering, tracking, receiving | Per-item approval (clause 5) 4. Installation | Delivery coordination, placement, styling, final walkthrough | Final walkthrough sign-off 1.4 Revisions. Each phase includes [NUMBER] round(s) of revisions. Further revisions, and changes to an approved phase, are billed at the hourly rate in clause 3.3. 1.5 Not included: architectural or structural design, engineering, permit applications, construction supervision, and [OTHER EXCLUSIONS]. 2. Client responsibilities -------------------------- 2.1 Provide access to the property, accurate floor plans where available, and a single decision-maker: [NAME]. 2.2 Respond to approval requests within [NUMBER] business days. Delays extend the timeline. 2.3 Arrange and pay for building or association approvals, and protect or move existing items before installation. 3. Design fee ------------- 3.1 Fee model. [CHOOSE ONE OR COMBINE] - Flat design fee of [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT], billed by phase as set out in clause 3.2; and/or - Hourly at [CURRENCY] [HOURLY RATE], estimated at [NUMBER]–[NUMBER] hours; and/or - [PERCENTAGE]% of the total project cost (furnishings, finishes and trade work), billed [MONTHLY / BY PHASE]. 3.2 Payment schedule (flat fee). Payment | Due | Amount ------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------- Retainer (non-refundable) | On signing | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Phase 2 start | Approval of Phase 1 | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Phase 3 start | Approval of Phase 2 | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Final | Final walkthrough | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] 3.3 Additional work is billed at [CURRENCY] [HOURLY RATE] per hour, in [15]-minute increments, including time spent sourcing beyond the approved selections. 3.4 Invoices are due within [NUMBER] days. Overdue balances carry interest at [LATE PAYMENT RATE] or the maximum permitted by law, if lower. The Designer may pause work and ordering while an invoice is overdue. 4. Procurement pricing ---------------------- 4.1 Pricing method. Furnishings, fixtures, fabrics, lighting and accessories purchased through the Designer are sold to the Client at [CHOOSE ONE]: - the Designer's trade cost plus [PERCENTAGE]%; or - the published retail price; or - the Designer's trade cost, plus a procurement fee of [PERCENTAGE]% / [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT]. 4.2 Additional costs billed to the Client: freight, crating, receiving, warehouse storage beyond [NUMBER] days, white-glove delivery, installation labor, sales tax and duties, billed at [ACTUAL COST / ACTUAL COST PLUS [PERCENTAGE]%]. 4.3 Client-purchased items. If the Client buys an item specified by the Designer directly, the Designer is not responsible for its ordering, delivery, condition or returns. [OPTIONAL: A sourcing fee of [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] / [PERCENTAGE]% applies.] 5. Approvals, orders and returns -------------------------------- 5.1 Written approval. The Designer places an order only after the Client signs a Purchase Approval for that item, stating description, finish, dimensions, quantity, price, estimated lead time and return terms. 5.2 Payment before ordering. The Client pays [100% / [PERCENTAGE]%] of the approved item price before the order is placed, with any balance due before delivery. 5.3 Custom and final-sale items. Custom, made-to-order, special-order and sale items cannot be cancelled, returned or exchanged once ordered. Natural variation in wood grain, stone, leather, hand-made and hand-dyed materials is not a defect. 5.4 Lead times. Lead times are vendor estimates. The Designer will track orders and report delays but is not liable for vendor delays, discontinued items or price increases before the order is placed. 5.5 Damage on arrival. The Designer will inspect delivered items where received at a designated receiver and file claims with the vendor or carrier. Resolution depends on the vendor's terms. 5.6 Restocking fees charged on returns the Client requests are the Client's responsibility. 6. Site visits and meetings --------------------------- 6.1 The design fee includes: [NUMBER] measure visit(s), [NUMBER] design presentation meeting(s), [NUMBER] installation visit(s) and [1] final walkthrough. 6.2 Additional visits are billed at the hourly rate, including travel time beyond [NUMBER] minutes each way. 7. Contractors and trades ------------------------- 7.1 The Client hires and pays contractors and trades directly, unless otherwise agreed in writing. 7.2 The Designer may recommend trades and coordinate design intent with them, but does not supervise construction, guarantee workmanship, or take responsibility for permits, code compliance or site safety. 7.3 The Designer may provide drawings for reference. Dimensions must be verified on site by the contractor before fabrication or installation. 8. Photography and credit ------------------------- 8.1 The Designer may photograph the completed project and use the images in its portfolio, website, social media, awards and press. The Client's name and address will not be published without consent. 8.2 The Client will allow a photography visit of up to [NUMBER] hours within [NUMBER] months of completion, at a mutually convenient time. 9. Ownership of design work --------------------------- 9.1 Drawings, plans and design boards remain the Designer's property. The Client may use them only for this project at the project address. 10. Termination --------------- 10.1 Either party may terminate on [NUMBER] days' written notice. 10.2 On termination the Client pays for design work performed to date, all approved orders already placed (including non-cancellable items), and costs already incurred. Retainers are non-refundable. 11. Liability and general terms ------------------------------- 11.1 The Designer's total liability is limited to the design fees paid under this Agreement. The Designer is not liable for indirect or consequential loss. 11.2 The Designer is an independent contractor. 11.3 This Agreement and signed Purchase Approvals form the entire agreement. Changes must be in writing. 11.4 Governing law: [GOVERNING LAW]. Venue: [JURISDICTION / VENUE]. ------------------------------------------------------------ Signatures ---------- Designer | Client ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- Signature: ____________________ | Signature: ____________________ Name: [YOUR NAME] | Name: [CLIENT NAME] Date: [DATE] | Date: [DATE] ------------------------------------------------------------ Schedule A — Purchase Approval (copy for each item) Field | Detail ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------- Item and vendor | [ITEM DESCRIPTION, VENDOR] Room | [ROOM] Finish / fabric / color | [FINISH] Dimensions | [W x D x H] Quantity | [QTY] Price (incl. markup) | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Freight and delivery estimate | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] Estimated lead time | [WEEKS] Custom / final sale | [YES / NO] Client approval | Signature: __________ Date: [DATE] ------------------------------------------------------------ How to use this template 1. Choose your fee model in clause 3.1 and your procurement pricing in clause 4.1, and delete the alternatives. 2. Write your actual markup or procurement fee as a number; don't leave it vague. 3. Use Schedule A for every item you order, and file the signed copies with the project. 4. Set the site-visit allowance in clause 6.1 to match the size of the job. 5. Have a professional review your completed version once for your jurisdiction. Template provided by Colo (trycolo.co). Not legal advice — review with a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.