Interior design contracts that separate design, purchasing and the build

Interior design projects mix three kinds of work — design, procurement and site coordination — and clients often see only the first. When the sofa arrives late, the contractor gets it wrong, or the client wants a third concept, a clear contract says who's responsible and what it costs.

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The contract and payment problems you actually run into

Concept after concept

Mood boards and layouts are the most time-consuming part. Include a set number of concepts and revision rounds, then charge hourly.

Procurement money and markups

Buying furniture on the client's behalf means large sums through your account. Collect payment before ordering and state your trade-price markup or procurement fee openly.

Contractors you don't employ

Builders and trades work for the client, not for you. Your role is to specify and check, not to guarantee their workmanship.

Site visits and delays

Unlimited site visits and a timeline dependent on deliveries you don't control are both risks. Count the visits and tie deadlines to supplier lead times.

How it works with Clinch

1
Describe the job in a sentence or two: the AI drafts the contract from a template made for your trade.
2
Send one link: your client reads and signs on their phone in about 30 seconds, no account needed.
3
Collect the deposit at signature, then invoice the balance from the same place.

Contract templates to start from

Interior Design Contract TemplateAn interior design agreement covering design phases, procurement and markup, contractor coordination, site visits, and returns.Project Proposal & Agreement TemplateA combined proposal-and-contract for pitching a project and getting it signed in one document.Graphic Design Contract TemplateA contract for logo, branding, and print/digital graphic design projects, with clear revisions and file handoff terms.Subcontractor Agreement TemplateAn agreement for agencies and freelancers who subcontract work: white-label delivery, non-solicitation of the end client, and pay-when-paid terms.

Clauses worth adding

Revisions clauseA revisions clause that caps revision rounds, defines what counts as a revision, and prices extra rounds.Payment before delivery clauseA payment before delivery clause: final files, source and ownership are released only once the last invoice is paid in full.Expenses reimbursement clauseAn expenses clause for freelancers: which costs the client reimburses, approval thresholds and how they're invoiced.Client delays clauseA client delays clause: what happens to deadlines and payments when the client is late with feedback, content or access.Limitation of liability clauseA limitation of liability clause for freelancers: cap at fees paid, exclusion of indirect losses, and carve-outs.Milestone payment clauseA milestone payment schedule clause: deposit, payments tied to deliverables, and when each is due. For larger freelance projects.

Free tools

Project cost estimatorPhases and hours in, a priced quote with buffer and deposit out.Proposal generatorTurn scope, timeline and price into a proposal the client can say yes to.Deposit calculatorPick a deposit, split the rest into milestones, copy the clause.Change order generatorPrice the extra request, move the deadline, get it approved in writing.

Comparing tools?

Clinch vs HoneyBook for freelancers Clinch vs Dubsado for freelancers Clinch vs PandaDoc for freelancers

Questions

Should interior designers charge a flat fee or hourly?

A flat fee for defined design stages and hourly for procurement and site work beyond what's included is a common mix.

Can I mark up furniture I buy for clients?

Yes, if it's disclosed in the contract. A clear procurement fee avoids disputes when clients compare prices online.

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Other trades

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General information, not legal advice. For high-stakes deals, have a lawyer review your contract.

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