What is an Interior Designer worth?
- 360 Design Studio
- Jun 16, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 1
A potential client recently told us we were charging too much "just to recommend some wallpaper and finishes".
It really comes down to what you need and value.
If you needed surgery, would you want a surgeon who charges by the hour and rushes out before closing you up? Or a junior surgeon who could potentially take double the amount of time on your surgery than a more experienced one?
Interior Designers are qualified professionals who take the time to understand how you want to use your space, existing structural constraints, architectural features, natural light and site orientation. Then they prepare bespoke design solutions, and present you with detailed and realistic drawings and models so that you can visualise the completed project. Finally, they select materials and fittings that work within your project budget and schedule.
So there's more to design than just fluffy cushions and bathroom fittings! A well designed space reflects your style and personality, looks great, and works seamlessly for everyone.
What Qualified Designers Actually Do
Beyond "recommending wallpaper":
Space planning and layout optimisation
Building code compliance verification (NCC, AS1428)
Structural assessment and feasibility
Electrical and lighting design with load calculations
Plumbing fixture placement and specifications
Material specifications meeting performance requirements
Custom joinery and cabinetry design
Technical drawings builders can work from
Project management and trade coordination
Problem-solving when unexpected issues arise
For commercial projects (like our Moves International office or Saravanaa Bhavan restaurants):
Fire safety and egress compliance
Workplace health and safety standards
Disabled access compliance (AS1428)
Lighting to Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1680)
Materials meeting commercial fire ratings
Council approval navigation
This requires formal education. I completed my Diploma in Interior Design (Interior Design Institute, 2024) and became a Design Institute of Australia member, studying Australian building codes, spatial planning, building services, material science, structural principles, accessibility standards, fire safety, technical drawing, and project management.
The Real Cost: Qualified vs. Unqualified
Hidden Costs of Hiring Unqualified "Designers"
Rework and corrections when designs don't meet building codes:
I've seen this add 20-40% to project costs
Failed building inspections requiring expensive remediation
Delays whilst waiting for re-inspection
Materials specified incorrectly:
Tiles not rated for intended use failing prematurely
Benchtops not suitable for heavy usage requiring replacement
Lighting fixtures not meeting code requiring reinstallation
Finishes not appropriate for moisture areas failing within months
Functional layouts that don't work:
Kitchen work triangle inefficient, requiring future renovation
Insufficient circulation space (Australian standards require 1200mm)
Poor workflow in commercial spaces reducing productivity
Accessibility issues requiring costly modifications
No professional accountability:
No professional indemnity insurance
No recourse if project fails
You absorb all financial risk
Total hidden cost: Often 30-50% more than hiring qualified designer initially.
Value Qualified Designers Provide
Right the first time:
Designs code-compliant from start
Materials specified correctly for intended use
Layouts optimised for function and regulations
Technical drawings eliminate builder guesswork
Professional project management: At 360 Design Studio, we prepare comprehensive Trade & Materials Schedule (TMS) listing every task for every trade and all key furniture and fittings. This provides scope clarity, enables accurate quotes, highlights dependencies, and forms basis of schedule and budget tracking.
Sustainable design expertise: As co-founder of Dezinery (Australia's marketplace for recycled and reusable homewares), I bring circular economy knowledge. We specify recycled materials meeting performance requirements, identify upcycling opportunities, design for longevity not trends, and incorporate energy-efficient solutions.
Example: In Saravanaa Bhavan restaurants, we specified locally sourced timber meeting commercial fire ratings, LED lighting achieving 70% energy reduction whilst meeting lux requirements, and durable commercial-grade materials with extended lifecycles. This requires technical knowledge, not just aesthetic sense.
Professional accountability:
Design Institute of Australia membership
Professional indemnity insurance
Code of conduct adherence
Dispute resolution processes available
Our Fee Structure: Transparency and Value
At 360 Design Studio, we charge fixed fees for our services based on the complexity of your project. We can even save you money as we pass on 100% of any trade discounts we receive from our suppliers to you.
Why fixed fees, not percentage: 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. We take pride in our work as professionals, and our fees reflect our expertise, experience, and the results we deliver.
Learn more about our pricing.
The Investment vs. Cost Perspective
At the end of the day, you are spending thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of your hard-earned dollars. Having an Interior Designer on your project is well worth the investment to ensure you are happy with the result for years to come.
Consider:
A $800,000 property deserves more than Instagram inspiration
Kitchen or bathroom renovations costing $30,000-80,000 need proper planning
Commercial fit-outs must comply with regulations or face closure
Mistakes cost far more to fix than getting it right initially
Client example: Cathy, national manager in global company, told us: "The biggest surprise was that the total including your interior decoration and implementation fees were no more than my budget for doing it myself. That's the value of having someone with relationships in the industry."
Comparing Designer Types and Value
Aspect | Instagram Designer | Interior Decorator | Qualified Interior Designer |
Formal qualifications | None | Usually none | Diploma/degree required |
Professional membership | None | Optional | DIA membership |
Building code knowledge | No | Limited | Comprehensive |
Can produce technical drawings | No | Rarely | Yes |
Professional indemnity insurance | No | Rarely | Required |
Scope of work | Mood boards, product suggestions | Furniture, styling, finishes | Everything including technical design |
Can manage commercial projects | No | No | Yes |
Accountability if issues arise | None | Limited | Professional recourse available |
Typical fee structure | Varies wildly | Hourly or fixed | Fixed fee (transparent) |
Long-term value | High risk of costly mistakes | Medium (aesthetic only) | Highest (comprehensive, compliant) |
When Designer Fees Pay for Themselves
Scenario 1: Kitchen Renovation
Budget: $50,000
Unqualified designer suggests island bench placement that violates 1200mm circulation requirement
Council inspector fails renovation
Cost to relocate island, re-run plumbing and electrical: $8,000-12,000
Total: $58,000-62,000
With qualified designer:
Budget: $50,000
Design fee: $4,000
Layout correct from start, no rework
Total: $54,000
Savings: $4,000-8,000
Scenario 2: Commercial Fit-Out
Budget: $80,000
Unqualified designer specifies materials not meeting commercial fire ratings
Failed building inspection
Cost to replace materials and re-certify: $15,000-25,000
Total: $95,000-105,000
With qualified designer:
Budget: $80,000
Design fee: $8,000
Materials specified correctly, passes inspection
Total: $88,000
Savings: $7,000-17,000
The designer fee is insurance against expensive mistakes.
Questions to Ask About Designer Value
Before hiring any designer:
What formal qualifications do you hold?
Are you a Design Institute of Australia member?
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
How do you charge? (Fixed fee, hourly, percentage)
What's included in your fee?
Can you provide technical drawings builders can use?
How do you ensure building code compliance?
What happens if something goes wrong?
Can you provide references from completed projects?
What sustainable design principles do you incorporate?
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 financial and project management experience
Co-founder, Dezinery (marketplace for recycled and reusable homewares)
Services:
Sustainable commercial interior design
Cosmetic renovations with environmental focus
Space planning and functional optimisation
Technical documentation and drawings
Building code compliance verification
Project management and trade coordination
On-time, on-budget delivery
Service Areas:
Most Sydney suburbs (in-person)
Remote design services Australia-wide
Why clients choose us:
Fixed-fee pricing (no conflicts of interest)
Pass on 100% of trade discounts
Formal qualifications and professional accountability
Proven project management methodology
Sustainable design expertise
Maximum 1-2 projects simultaneously (adequate attention)
The Bottom Line
Interior designers aren't "just recommending wallpaper." We're qualified professionals who ensure your space is beautiful, functional, code-compliant, and built to last.
While unqualified designers or DIY might seem cheaper initially, the hidden costs of mistakes, rework, failed inspections, and poor functionality far exceed the investment in qualified design.
The most expensive design is 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 expertise in sustainable materials and environmental design. Based in Sydney with remote services available Australia-wide.
Learn more: Interior Design services
Contact 360 Design Studio: Email: info@360designstudio.com.au | Phone: 0411 086 116 | Web: www.360designstudio.com.au
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