When planning a home renovation or makeover, a budget is always taken into account. The majority of you did not budget for professional fees. How much is interior design in the Philippines? Interior design cost per sqm Philippines 2024
What does an interior designer do? A specialist in constructing safe, secure, and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces for a range of settings, including homes, workplaces, hotels, and retail establishments, is an interior designer. Enhancing interior environments' overall appeal, safety, and functionality is their main objective.
An interior designer is responsible for the following main duties and tasks:
Space Planning: Interior designers evaluate the existing space and make plans for its efficient use, taking into account elements such as layout of furniture, traffic flow, and functionality.
Design Concept: They create a design concept that complements the client's tastes, requirements, and the space's intended use. Choosing color schemes, materials, and styles falls under this category.
Furniture and Fixture Selection: When selecting furniture, lighting, fixtures, and other components, interior designers make sure they match the space's aesthetic and overall design concept.
Selection of Material and Finish: They take affordability, durability, and aesthetics into account when choosing suitable materials for walls, floors, and upholstery.
Budget management: Interior designers find economical solutions while preserving the caliber of their work, working within the client's financial constraints.
Cooperation: To guarantee that the design is carried out accurately and on time, they frequently cooperate with contractors, architects, and other experts.
Building and Fitting: To guarantee that the design is carried out according to the plan, some interior designers supervise the building and fitting phase.
Interior designers can also be involved in the decorating process, choosing artwork, accessories, and other accent pieces for a room.
Safety and accessibility: They guarantee that the design complies with building codes, safety regulations, and accessibility guidelines.
Client Communication: In order to fully comprehend the needs and preferences of your clients and to keep them updated on the design process, you must communicate with them effectively.
Overall, interior designers strive to create harmonious and functional spaces that improve the quality of life while meeting the specific needs of their clients. Their specialty is combining creativity, practicality, and design knowledge to transform interior spaces into aesthetically pleasing and functional environments.
What are the inclusions of the standard fees? Professional interior designers in the Philippines follow the organization's standard pricing. It is up to the professional interior designer to raise their fees if necessary. The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) is the only organization recognized by the Professional Regulations Commission.
The interior design profession is beyond drawings and drafting documents. There are a lot of things to consider when an interior designer is hired to do the job. The following are the design phases, records, and standard documentation in the design process:
Schematic Design Phase
Preliminary plans with furniture layout for approval.
Image or Mood Board(s) for approval
Initial Perspective(s)
Design Development phase
Furniture Footprint Plan
Elevations and Section Details
Reflected Ceiling Plan
Auxiliary Layout (Sprinklers, Speakers, Air-Conditioning, Diffusers, Smoke Detectors, Fire Protection Devices, etc.)
Electrical Switches
Power Layout
Schedule of Window Treatments
Schedule of Doors
Materials and Furnishing Boards
Realistic Rendered Perspectives
Itemized Furniture Drawings
Cabinet Details
Floor Pattern Layout and Details
Other necessary working details
Contract Documents and Coordination Phase
Verification Check Prints from Engineers
Budgetary Cost Estimates
Sets of Blueprints/Plans
Construction Phase
Site Supervision
Punchlist
Project Turnover
It seems like a lot, and some clients don't check these documents sometimes. Check the prints and plans and discuss them with your interior designer.
Standard Professional Fee
Interior designers hired full-time can be compensated by any of the following:
1. Fee on Percentage Basis
A fee of 10% to 15% of the total interior project cost.
2. Progress Billing
The amounts are distributed per interior design phase.
Schematic Design Phase 30%
Design Development Phase 45%
Contract Documents and Coordination Phase 15% (25% if no construction phase)
Upon Construction Phase 10%
Interior designers usually charge per square meter (copy from PIID Doc 5)
a.1. Minimum of PHP 50,000.00 per unit or PHP 1,000.00 per sqm for a max floor area of 75 sqm depending on the Scope of Work.
a.2. Minimum of PHP 50,000.00 per major room or maximum of PHP 300,000.00 per house regardless of the number of rooms for 76-300 sqm
a.3 Minimum of 400 to a maximum of 800 per sqm regardless of the number of rooms (price charge gets lower when the space gets bigger, but this depends on other interior designers)
The process is important when figuring out interior design project costs. Progress billing is more common among interior designers than percentage-based fees. Then why? Let's investigate.
The Challenge with Fees Based on Percentage
Although it might seem simple to figure out your fees as a percentage of the project's overall cost, there are some obstacles to consider:
Detailed Project Quote: This method requires an accurate project cost estimate that accounts for all project expenses, including furnishings and construction.
Cooperation with Contractors: In order to obtain precise cost estimates for the construction portion, you will need to collaborate closely with contractors.
Client Approval: Usually through a signed contract, the client must consent to the project's overall budget and schedule. The snag? In order to determine their fees, designers must wait until all of these steps are finished. The Workaround: Progress Billing
Many designers prefer progress billing in order to prevent these delays. This is the reason why:
Instant Start: Projects can get underway more quickly when designers don't have to wait for all the details to be finalized before starting work.
Frequent Payments: It is more convenient for clients and designers when payments are made at project milestones.
Flexibility: During a project, designers can adjust to additions or changes, which makes it simpler to handle unforeseen events.
To put it briefly, progress billing enables designers to begin work on time, get paid as they go, and adjust to changes more readily. It's a sensible decision that makes the interior design process easier and more adaptable for both clients and designers.
Are The Professional Interior Designers Expensive?
To answer your question, it might be to some people. The interior design profession is both a way of life and a business that must be respected. The stated fees are reasonable, and you can negotiate a discount with the interior designer. Design is not a free service. If you cannot afford to hire an interior designer, you can always request a consultation, which will cost you around 500 pesos per hour.
Space Project is under the management of FEROLINO ALEJO CORPORATION is a design and construction company focusing on creating engaging, comfortable, and deeply personal spaces. Inspired by the philosophy of “designing solutions,” Space Project is situated at So-oc, Mandurriao, Iloilo City with a satellite headquarters in Kakarong, Olympia, Makati City, Metro Manila, 1207.
For interior design inquiries, please email us at design@spaceprojectph.com. Visit our website at https://www.spaceprojectph.com/.