Typical Online Design Work Fees
For a Kitchen Design
We continue our conversation on design fees as they relate to using our Online Design services. As mentioned in previous articles, we are often asked to provide a “quote” for interior design fees on a single-family residence at Articulated. While we find that this question can start the conversation, it is very difficult to answer because no two projects or clients are alike. While doing Online Design (where all the design work is conducted virtually from a distances) we provide a Packaged Fees for the most commonly requested services but the homeowner needs to be more involved in certain tasks.
In the article we wrote about Hybrid Design Work services, we included (1) kitchen, (1) half-bath, (1) fireplace with built-ins, (1) 3-piece guest bath, (1) principle 4-piece principle bath, (1) walk-in-closet, and (1) laundry room valued at $18,000 in design fees. We invite you to think about Online Design Services differently where you only purchase what you need, instead of focusing on a big renovation project, and we will focus on (1) kitchen project. We apply pre-set packaged services to build the services for essential areas in a home only. It’s important to note that this level of service will not include our services of a building design services because this needs more coordination - and we haven’t figured out how to make this part work yet (but it doesn’t mean it can’t happen in other ways).
Designer Tip
Design fees are in addition to the stipulated project budget (e.g., not included). A typical amount of professional design fees will range from 7 to 20% of the overall project budget. The range is wide because style, complexity, and type and detail of services are all factors in pricing fees. For Articulated to provide a Proposal for Design Work Services, we will need 1) A Discovery Call, and 2) either an Intial Consultation or a Digital Design Work Session.
What’s typically needed:
A typical online design work package of services for a kitchen design will include:
(1) Kitchen Design & Planning - $5,000
(1) Design Palette - $79
Online Design Work excludes: Preparing existing floor plans and a 3D laser scan, applying for a building permit, consulting with an Architect/Structural Engineer, becoming involved in merchandise selected by you, revisions, custom design of furniture, cabinetry supply & installation, furniture, window treatments, and printing any documents we prepare for you.
The total investment in professional design fees for a kitchen design is approximately a minimum of $5,000 plus 5% G.S.T. and the cost and size of the project does not matter. We use our Design Palettes to simplify the finish selection process.
How does this compare to Full-Scope?
A typical custom kitchen design requires a minimum of 90 hours which can cost anywhere between $12,000 and $20,000 in professional design fees. Full-scope design work will often include some or all of the services excluded in the list above. If a homeowner purchases both cabinets and counters from us, a portion of the fees will be reflected in the purchase price. If a homeowner only purchases cabinets from us, then the purchase price for the cabinets would be higher.
