Every interior design project needs a signed contract before work begins — no exceptions. A well-written agreement protects you from scope creep, delayed payments, and disputes about what was promised. Here is what every interior design contract must include and why each clause matters.
Define scope of work with specificity
The scope of work section is the most important part of your contract. List exactly which rooms are included, what phases of work are covered (concept, space planning, furniture selection, procurement, installation supervision), and what is explicitly excluded.
"Full kitchen and living room redesign" is not specific enough. "New furniture selection and procurement for living room, excluding structural changes, electrical work, and plumbing" is. The more specific your scope, the easier it is to identify when something falls outside the agreement and issue a change order.
Payment terms every interior design contract needs
Interior design projects often involve large sums of money across long timelines. Structure payments to protect your cash flow and limit client risk.
- Deposit: 25–50% of the design fee upfront, non-refundable after work begins
- Procurement deposits: 100% of furniture and materials costs collected before ordering — you should never finance client purchases
- Progress payments: Milestone-based for large projects (after concept approval, after selections approval)
- Final payment: Due before installation or final delivery
- Late fees: 1.5–2% per month on overdue invoices, stated explicitly
Revision and change order policies
Scope creep is the most common way interior design projects become unprofitable. Your contract should state how many rounds of revisions are included in your fee, what constitutes a revision versus a new direction, and what you charge for additional rounds.
Also specify your change order process: any change to the agreed scope must be requested in writing, quoted by you, and approved by the client before you act on it. This is not bureaucratic — it protects both parties from misunderstandings and ensures you are compensated for extra work. Threecus lets you create and send change orders directly from your client dashboard, keeping everything documented.
Other clauses you must not skip
Beyond scope and payment, a complete interior design contract should address:
- Photography rights: You retain the right to photograph and publish the completed project for portfolio use
- Client-supplied items: Liability for existing furniture or art the client provides
- Contractor coordination: Whether you manage contractors and at what hourly rate, or whether that is outside your scope
- Lead time disclaimer: You are not responsible for manufacturer delays on ordered items
- Termination clause: How either party can end the agreement and what happens to work completed and fees paid
Have an attorney familiar with your state's contractor and designer regulations review your contract template before you use it. The cost of a one-time legal review is far less than a single disputed project.
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