An interior design contract protects both the designer and client by clearly defining the project scope, design process, fees, and expectations. Whether you’re redesigning a single room or a complete commercial space, a solid contract prevents misunderstandings and scope creep.
What Is an Interior Design Contract?
An interior design contract is a service agreement between an interior designer (or design firm) and a client that outlines the project scope, design phases, fee structure, procurement process, timeline, and legal terms governing the professional relationship.
Essential Clauses
1. Project Scope & Design Brief
- Rooms or spaces included in the project
- Design style and aesthetic direction
- Budget range and constraints
- Functional requirements and priorities
- Existing elements to keep, modify, or remove
2. Design Phases
Typical phases include:
- Phase 1: Concept Development — Mood boards, space planning, initial concepts
- Phase 2: Design Development — Material selections, furniture plans, color palettes, 3D renderings
- Phase 3: Documentation — Technical drawings, specifications, contractor coordination
- Phase 4: Procurement — Ordering furniture, fixtures, materials
- Phase 5: Installation — Delivery coordination, styling, final walkthrough
3. Fee Structure
- Design fees (flat, hourly, or percentage-based)
- Procurement markup on furnishings and materials
- Travel expenses and site visit charges
- Deposit and payment milestone schedule
- Additional services pricing (3D renderings, custom furniture design)
4. Procurement & Purchasing
- Who purchases furniture and materials (designer or client)
- Markup percentage on purchases
- Shipping, delivery, and installation costs
- Damage and return policies
- Client approval required before purchasing
5. Revisions & Change Orders
- Number of revision rounds included in each phase
- Additional revision fees
- Change order process for scope modifications
- Impact on timeline and budget
- Written approval required for changes
6. Client Responsibilities
- Providing access to the space for measurements and installation
- Timely review and approval of design presentations
- Communicating preferences, constraints, and feedback clearly
- Making decisions within agreed timelines
- Maintaining the project budget
How to Customize This Template
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Define phases clearly — Break the project into distinct phases with deliverables and approval gates at each stage.
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Set budget expectations — Include a realistic budget range and a contingency percentage for unexpected costs.
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Address procurement markup — Be transparent about any markup on purchased items. Industry standard is 20-35%.
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Include a kill fee — If the client cancels mid-project, define what compensation the designer receives for completed work.
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Specify portfolio usage — State whether the designer can photograph and publish the completed project in their portfolio.
How to Send for E-Signature with WPsigner
- Upload — Add this design contract to your WPsigner dashboard
- Customize — Fill in project details, phases, fees, and timeline
- Add fields — Place signature and date fields for designer and client
- Send — Client receives a secure link to review and sign
- Store — Signed contracts are stored with full audit trails
WPsigner lets designers create a master contract template and quickly customize it for each new project.