Is It Expensive to Use an Interior Designer?

We recently had a client tell us our fees were very high "just to recommend some wallpaper". But what most people don't realise is that Interior Designers can actually save them money.

As a diploma-qualified interior designer and Design Institute of Australia member, I understand this perception. This guide explains what you're actually paying for when you hire a qualified designer, and why it's often less expensive than DIY.

What You Think You're Paying For vs. Reality

What clients often think designers do:

• Recommend wallpaper and paint colours

• Suggest some furniture

• Make spaces look pretty

• Provide Pinterest-worthy aesthetics

What qualified interior designers actually do:

Interior Designers are not just influencers with followers on social media. They have usually studied for years to get their Diploma or Degree. So they are well equipped to come up with bespoke design solutions just for you, foresee issues, and avoid costly mistakes.

Comprehensive services qualified designers provide:

Spatial planning and layout:

• Understanding your needs through detailed consultation

• Walking through space to be renovated

• Creating best layout of rooms and large furniture

• Marrying both your budget and your needs

Multi-layered design development:

Once the "bones" are in place, designers add many layers to make the space look its best:

• Wall colours and treatments

• Flooring selections

• Window furnishings

• Acoustic treatments

• Furniture specifications

• Décor and accessories

Technical expertise:

• Custom joinery design

• Lighting plans for electricians or electrical engineers

• Building code compliance verification

• Material performance specifications

All these elements need to work harmoniously. Changing any one of them will almost always have a "ripple effect" on the others.

My Diploma in Interior Design (Interior Design Institute, 2024) taught me how these elements interact, preventing costly mistakes from changing decisions mid-project.

The Real Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Qualified Designer

$60,000 Kitchen Renovation Example:

DIY Approach:

Initial budget: $60,000

Hidden costs:

• Design changes during construction: $5,000-8,000

• Incorrect material specifications requiring replacement: $4,000-7,000

• Poor layout requiring modifications: $3,000-6,000

• Building code violations needing remediation: $4,000-10,000

• Time wasted researching and coordinating: 100+ hours

• Stress managing trades whilst working full-time: Priceless

Total actual cost: $76,000-91,000 (27-52% over budget)

With Qualified Designer:

Initial budget: $60,000 Design fees: $6,000 Total budget: $66,000

Avoided costs:

• Design right first time: $0 rework

• Correct material specifications: $0 replacement

• Optimised layout from start: $0 modifications

• Building code compliant: $0 remediation

• Trade discounts passed through: -$3,000-5,000

• Time saved: 80-100 hours

• Stress eliminated: Priceless

Total actual cost: $58,000-63,000 (saving $13,000-28,000 vs DIY)

The qualified designer "costs" $6,000 but SAVES $13,000-28,000.

What You're Actually Paying For

When you engage 360 Design Studio, here's what your investment covers:

1. Education and Expertise

Formal qualifications:

• Diploma in Interior Design (minimum 1-2 years study)

• Comprehensive knowledge of Australian building codes (NCC)

• Spatial planning methodology

• Building services understanding (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)

• Material science and performance specifications

• Structural principles

• Accessibility standards (AS1428)

• Fire safety requirements

• Technical drawing proficiency

• Project management training

Continuing professional development:

• Design Institute of Australia membership requires ongoing learning

• Current knowledge of building code updates

• Awareness of new materials and technologies

• Industry best practices

2. Experience and Judgment

24 years of financial and project management experience means I've encountered most problems before and know how to prevent or solve them efficiently.

Pattern recognition:

• Identifying potential issues before they occur

• Knowing which solutions work and which don't

• Understanding realistic timelines and budgets

• Anticipating "ripple effects" from design decisions

3. Systematic Process

Initial consultation and needs assessment:

• Detailed questioning about how you use space

• Understanding your aesthetic preferences

• Clarifying budget parameters

• Identifying constraints and opportunities

Design development:

• Scale drawings preventing furniture mistakes

• 3D visualisations enabling changes before construction

• Material and finish specifications

• Technical documentation builders can work from

Project coordination:

• Trade & Materials Schedule (TMS) listing every task

• Quote acquisition and comparison

• Timeline development with dependencies

• Issue resolution as challenges arise

4. Trade Relationships and Discounts

Established supplier network:

At 360 Design Studio, we pass on 100% of any trade discounts we receive from our suppliers to you.

Benefits:

• Access to trade-only suppliers and wholesale discounts

• Priority service and delivery

• Quality guarantees

• Relationship-based problem solving

Example: Client saved $4,500 on tiles, benchtops, and fixtures through our trade accounts - nearly covering entire design fee.

5. Time Savings

Hours you would spend:

• Researching materials and suppliers: 30-40 hours

• Visiting showrooms and comparing options: 20-30 hours

• Obtaining quotes from trades: 15-20 hours

• Coordinating schedules: 10-15 hours

• Resolving issues on site: 15-25 hours

• Total: 90-130 hours

Your time value:

• If you earn $50/hour: $4,500-6,500

• If you earn $100/hour: $9,000-13,000

Plus opportunity cost of not doing your actual work or enjoying leisure time.

6. Stress Reduction

Emotional costs of DIY renovation:

• Anxiety about making wrong decisions

• Overwhelm from thousands of choices

• Stress coordinating trades whilst working full-time

• Relationship strain during construction chaos

• Second-guessing every decision

Professional management eliminates:

• Decision paralysis through expert guidance

• Coordination stress through Trade & Materials Schedule

• On-site problem solving whilst you're at work

• Financial uncertainty through fixed-fee structure

As client Cathy told us: "Having Vinti as my eyes and ears made it easy. For any future renovation I wouldn't hesitate to use 360 Design Studio."

7. Professional Accountability

Design Institute of Australia membership provides:

• Professional indemnity insurance protecting your investment

• Code of conduct adherence

• Dispute resolution processes if issues arise

• Professional standards accountability

Contrast with DIY:

• No recourse if you make costly mistakes

• All financial risk on you

• No professional protection

Our Fee Structure: Transparency and Value

At 360 Design Studio, we charge fixed fees based on the complexity of your project. We don't charge by the hour or a percentage of the construction budget, as we believe these lead to taking shortcuts and conflicts of interest.

Learn more about our pricing

Visit our Services page for details on what's included in Interior Design and Project Management.

When Designer Fees Pay for Themselves

Scenario 1: Bathroom Renovation

Budget: $35,000

DIY approach:

• Client selects tiles based on appearance only

• Wall tiles used on floor (common mistake)

• Tiles crack within 6 months

• Replacement cost: $8,000-12,000

• Total: $43,000-47,000

With qualified designer:

• Budget: $35,000

• Design fee: $3,500

• Tiles specified correctly for floor use

• No replacement needed

• Total: $38,500

• Savings: $4,500-8,500

Scenario 2: Open-Plan Living Renovation

Budget: $80,000

DIY approach:

• Client removes wall assuming non-load-bearing

• Wall was load-bearing

• Structural engineer required: $2,000

• Beam installation: $8,000-15,000

• Building permit: $1,500

• Delays whilst awaiting approvals: Lost time

• Total: $91,500-98,500

With qualified designer:

• Budget: $80,000

• Design fee: $8,000

• Structural assessment before demolition

• Proper engineering and approvals planned

• Total: $88,000

• Savings: $3,500-10,500

Scenario 3: Kitchen Renovation

Budget: $50,000

DIY approach:

• Poor layout with inadequate circulation

• Island blocking required 1200mm pathway

• Council inspection fails

• Relocation cost: $6,000-10,000

• Total: $56,000-60,000

With qualified designer:

• Budget: $50,000

• Design fee: $5,000

• Layout compliant from start

• Passes inspection first time

• Trade discounts: -$3,000

• Total: $52,000

• Savings: $4,000-8,000

What About "Cheap" Designers?

Red flags for low-cost designers:

No formal qualifications:

• Cannot produce technical drawings

• Don't understand building codes

• No professional accountability

Percentage-based fees:

• Incentivised to increase project cost

• Conflict of interest with your budget

No professional insurance:

• All risk on you if mistakes occur

• No recourse for poor design

Limited experience:

• Haven't encountered common problems

• Longer project times

• More mistakes requiring correction

Instagram designers:

• Pretty pictures, no technical knowledge

• Can't ensure building code compliance

• Projects often fail inspection

Sustainable Design Adds Value

As co-founder of Dezinery (Australia's marketplace for recycled and reusable homewares), I bring circular economy expertise that saves money:

Cost-saving sustainable strategies:

• Retaining existing items through upcycling: $3,000-8,000 saved

• Specifying durable materials reducing future replacement

• Energy-efficient lighting reducing ongoing costs (LED 70% reduction)

• Designing for longevity avoiding premature renovation

Example: Kitchen renovation retaining cabinet boxes, replacing only doors and benchtops saved client $12,000 whilst achieving updated aesthetic and diverting materials from landfill.

Questions to Evaluate Designer Value

Before hiring any designer:

1. What formal qualifications do you hold?

2. Are you a Design Institute of Australia member?

3. Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?

4. How do you charge? (Fixed fee, hourly, percentage)

5. What's included in your fee?

6. Can you provide references from completed projects?

7. What trade discounts do you pass through?

8. How do you ensure building code compliance?

9. What happens if something goes wrong?

If they can't answer confidently, reconsider.

The 360 Design Studio Value Proposition

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Interior Design, Interior Design Institute (2024)

• Design Institute of Australia member

• Professional indemnity insurance

• 24 years of financial and project management experience

• Co-founder, Dezinery (marketplace for recycled and reusable homewares)

Why clients choose us:

• Fixed-fee pricing (transparent, no conflicts)

• Pass on 100% of trade discounts

• Formal qualifications and professional accountability

• Proven methodology preventing costly mistakes

• Sustainable design expertise

• Time and stress savings

• Budget certainty

Service areas:

• Most Sydney suburbs (in-person)

• Remote design services Australia-wide

The Bottom Line

Interior designers aren't "just recommending wallpaper." We're qualified professionals who prevent costly mistakes, save time and stress, ensure building code compliance, optimise functionality and aesthetics, and deliver projects within budget.

While design fees seem like added expense, the hidden costs of DIY mistakes, poor material specifications, building code violations, and wasted time far exceed investment in qualified design.

We believe that when our fees truly reflect our expertise, experience, and the results we deliver, the right client will see the value.

Remember: The most expensive design isn't the one with the highest price tag. It's the one you have to do twice.

So don't wait - call us now to see how we can help!

About the Author: Vinti Verma holds a Diploma in Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute (2024) and is a member of the Design Institute of Australia. She specialises in sustainable commercial interior design and cosmetic renovations with environmental focus. As co-founder of Dezinery (Australia's marketplace for recycled and reusable homewares), she brings practical expertise in circular economy principles and sustainable material specification. Based in Sydney with remote services available Australia-wide.

Learn more: Interior Design services | Our pricing and fixed-fee approach

Contact 360 Design Studio: Email: info@360designstudio.com.au | Phone: 0411 086 116 | Web: www.360designstudio.com.au