Interior Designer Contract Template

What is an interior designer contract template?

An interior designer contract template is a ready-made, customizable agreement you can reuse across projects. It clearly defines the scope of work, timelines, fees, responsibilities, and legal protections for both designer and client. This document serves as the foundation of a professional interior design agreement and plays a central role in the interior design consulting workflow, guiding conversations from inquiry to signed project. In 2025, digital templates and e-signatures have become standard practice, helping designers onboard clients faster and stay consistent across engagements.

Definition and purpose

A contract, in plain terms, is a legally binding agreement between the designer and the client that outlines what will be done, when, and for what price.

The contract covers the core elements of the project, including the scope of work, timelines, fees, and responsibilities for both sides.

The template is a prebuilt structure you can reuse and customize for each project, saving time and keeping documents consistent from one job to the next. A solid template also includes sections for deliverables, approval steps, procurement authority, installation responsibilities, and protections like cancellation terms, payment terms, ownership of design concepts, liability limits, and insurance requirements.

When to use an interior designer contract

Use this contract in most project scenarios to protect everyone involved.

Full-service interior design projects, design-only services, consulting days, e-design packages, and ongoing retainer-based work all benefit from a contract. A typical full-service project might run 6-12 weeks from discovery to installation, with milestones for concepts, design development, procurement, and final installation. The contract also helps set expectations for deliverables, communication cadence, and acceptance criteria, so both sides know when a phase is complete and what happens if timelines shift.

Even small jobs should use a contract to prevent misunderstandings, especially when offering interior design consulting agreements. A single design day (about 4-8 hours) or a room refresh still benefits from a defined scope, a rate schedule, and a simple change-order process to handle additional hours or revised design directions. In 2025, designers commonly finalize these agreements with digital signatures via DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or HelloSign for a fast, paperless process.

Key benefits for designers and clients

The contract brings several benefits for both sides.

For designers, the contract reduces scope creep, clarifies revisions, and supports timely payments with a clear deposit and milestone schedule. A common approach is a 20% upfront retainer, then milestone payments at design development and procurement, plus a change-order process for any extra work. This structure helps you manage client expectations, present a professional image, and protect your work with documented responsibilities and insurance requirements.

For clients, the contract adds transparency around deliverables, timelines, and total costs. It creates one source of truth about who approves decisions, how revisions are handled, and who owns the final design and documents. It also provides cancellation terms, protects confidential information, and sets a fair path for scope changes. With a solid template, the project runs smoother and disputes are easier to resolve because both sides know the rules.

Core components of an interior designer contract

Break down the non‑negotiable sections every interior designer contract template should include. Use this section as a checklist for what must be present in any solid interior design contract example, from parties and project scope to fees, revisions, and termination.

Parties and project details

Identifying who is involved is the foundation of the contract. Use full legal names, company names if applicable, and accurate contact information for all parties. Clearly name the client, the designer or design firm, and any co‑contractors who will be named in the agreement. This precision helps prevent confusion later on when approvals or payments are processed.

Also include project identifiers such as project name, site address, start date, reference numbers, and any internal job codes. Double‑check spellings and addresses because the rest of the agreement depends on these details being correct. In 2025, many contracts now reference a unique project ID to keep documents aligned across vendors, invoices, and change orders.

Scope of work and deliverables

Describe the design services covered in clear terms. Start with a high‑level summary and then detail each area: number of rooms or spaces, project phases (concept, design development, sourcing, installation), and the final deliverables. This helps prevent scope creep and sets client expectations from day one.

The included deliverables are essential to list for clarity. Included items typically include mood boards and concept development, floor plans and furniture layouts, 3D renderings or walkthroughs, shopping lists and procurement coordination, and site visits. Exclusions should be explicitly noted to avoid later disputes. Exclusions often cover structural changes, major electrical or plumbing work, or permits unless added as add‑ons. Exclusions and inclusions should be clearly stated in separate clauses so both sides know what to expect.

Fees, payment structure, and expenses

Outline the common fee models for interior designers so clients understand exactly how charges are calculated. The main options are a flat fee, hourly rate, retainer, a percentage of the project cost, or a hybrid of these. Clearly stating the model helps clients compare proposals and reduces later questions about pricing.

Specify rates, the payment schedule, and accepted payment methods. Typical practice in 2025 is to require a deposit or retainer upfront, milestones tied to project progress, and a final balance after delivery. Also list reimbursable expenses (travel, samples, shipping) and how markups on furnishings or contractor costs are handled, so clients can see how pricing works in practice. Plain language and concrete numbers build trust and prevent surprises when invoices arrive.

Timeline, milestones, and client approvals

Describe how to include a realistic project timeline with key milestones such as design presentation dates, ordering periods, and installation windows. A clear schedule helps everyone stay on track and reduces delays caused by back‑and‑forth. Tie specific deadlines for client feedback or approvals to keep the project moving.

Include guidance on what happens if the client delays decisions. For example, approvals received after a milestone date may shift delivery and installation windows, and payments may be deferred accordingly. It’s common to link milestone payments to a completed phase, which improves cash flow for the designer and keeps the project progressing as planned.

Revisions, additional work, and scope changes

Define what counts as a revision and how many are included in the base fee. For many designers, two rounds of revisions per phase are included, with additional rounds billed separately. This helps set expectations and reduces back‑and‑forth on minor adjustments.

Provide a clear process for extra revisions and scope changes: how they must be requested, who approves them, and how they are billed (for example, at an hourly rate or via a formal change order). By outlining steps and rates up front, you prevent disagreements when clients request more work than initially agreed. In 2025, many contracts use a standard hourly rate range (often $90–$200/hour) for extra revisions, with a cap on the total time per phase unless a new scope is signed.

Procurement, trade sources, and installation

Guide the reader on sourcing and purchasing furniture, finishes, and decor. Clarify who technically buys the goods (the designer or the client) and how trade discounts and markups are handled. Also state who manages delivery, storage, and installation, including on‑site coordination and scheduling with trades.

Explicitly address responsibility for damaged, delayed, or discontinued items. If a product is no longer available or arrives damaged, describe the process to replace or credit items and how affected timelines are adjusted. By spelling out these responsibilities, you reduce finger‑pointing when things don’t go perfectly and keep the project on track.

Client responsibilities and access

Set expectations around what the client must do to keep the project moving. This includes providing accurate information, making timely design decisions, granting property access, and securing required permits if needed. Also specify whether the client will pay contractors directly for certain services and who handles scheduling with trades.

Be explicit to avoid delays and to ensure the designer isn’t blamed for issues caused by client inaction. For example, state that delays caused by the client will extend the project timeline and may affect milestone payments. Clear client responsibilities protect both sides and help keep the project on a realistic schedule.

Intellectual property and use of designs

Address who owns the design work and what rights the client receives. Designers typically retain copyright to drawings, plans, and design concepts, while granting the client a license to use the designs for the specific project and location. This lets the client use the design for the agreed site while the designer retains control over the work’s reuse elsewhere.

Include guidance on photography rights and using project images in portfolios, marketing, and social media. Decide whether images can be shared publicly with client anonymization or if consent is required for each project. Clear language here protects both parties’ reputations and helps the designer showcase work while respecting client privacy.

Liability, warranties, and third‑party contractors

Provide language that limits the designer’s liability for issues outside their control, such as the performance of third‑party contractors, manufacturers, or vendors. A typical clause states that the designer is not responsible for product defects or work performed by others, and that clients should pursue warranties or claims directly with the vendor.

Note that interior designers rarely provide warranties on furnishings or construction work themselves. The contract should direct clients to the original vendors for product defects or workmanship claims. This section protects the designer while still guiding clients to the correct recourse channels for issues that arise.

Cancellation, termination, and refunds

Describe terms for ending the agreement, including the notice period, and valid reasons for termination (for example, non‑payment or lack of cooperation). Clarify what payments are owed up to the termination date and how completed work is treated in pricing. These terms help both sides understand their rights if plans change.

Provide guidance on whether retainers are refundable and how partially completed work and ordered items are handled if the project ends early. For instance, a non‑refundable retainer may cover initial concept work, while work already in progress may be billable at the approved hourly rate. Clear terms prevent disputes when a project ends before the original scope is finished.

Dispute resolution and governing law

Explain why it’s important to specify how disputes will be handled, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or court. State where disputes will be resolved (jurisdiction) and which state or country’s law governs the agreement. Clear, plain language helps clients understand the process if something goes wrong and reduces confusion during a dispute.

In practice, many interior design contracts designate a specific state’s law and a local venue for disputes, with a requirement to attempt mediation first. If mediation fails, the contract may outline arbitration as a faster, confidential path or a court process for unresolved issues. Having these provisions in plain language helps both sides know what to expect and how to proceed.

How to adapt the template to different interior design services

Adapting a core Interior Designer Contract Template helps you protect your work across service models, from full-service projects to quick consulting sessions. In 2025, many designers are increasing clarity with modular contracts that outline scope, fees, delivery methods, and risk allocation. The sections below show practical ways to tailor the core structure so you get stronger protections without locking in rigid processes.

To tailor the contract for full‑service interior design

When the designer manages the project end-to-end, the contract must clearly define scope, pricing, and procurement so milestones stay visible to both sides.

For a full‑service scope—space planning, selections, ordering, trades coordination, and installation—lay out milestones such as kickoff, schematic design, design development, procurement, and installation with target dates. Specify who makes final selections, who orders materials, who handles vendor coordination, and how site visits are scheduled (for example, one site visit per month plus ad hoc visits as needed). Also define procurement responsibilities, including who pays for shipping, returns, and warehousing, and how changes in scope affect pricing and schedule. These details reduce disputes and keep the project on track, especially on longer engagements that run 12–24 weeks.

Include a detailed procurement plan within the Interior Designer Contract Template: note the ownership of procurement documents, who holds vendor relationships, and how substitutions are approved. Add a realistic lead time for custom items and a clear process for handling delay risks. By naming milestones and responsibilities up front, you provide a roadmap that aligns client expectations with the end‑to‑end design process.

To tailor the contract for interior design consulting

Short, advice-focused engagements require clarity on what is delivered and who implements it.

To tailor the contract, simplify deliverables to notes, recommendations, and quick sketches, and clearly state that implementation is the client’s responsibility. Define hourly or day rates, the minimum booking time, and rescheduling or no-show policies to protect both sides; for example, set a two-hour minimum at $150 per hour or a daily rate if you bill by the day. Include deposits or retainer terms and outline what happens if extra hours are needed beyond the initial agreement.

Also set expectations for delivery timelines and revisions. Limit feedback cycles, specify a clear turnaround window, and spell out how changes are billed. Use the Interior Designer Contract Template to document these terms, ensuring the client understands the scope of advice and the boundaries of your involvement without implying full project execution.

To tailor the contract for e‑design and virtual services

Modify location-based clauses for remote work and focus on digital deliverables and client collaboration.

In e-design and virtual services, emphasize digital deliverables such as floor plans, shopping lists, and visual boards, along with defined communication channels (email, video calls, and project management tools). Clarify that the client is responsible for measuring spaces accurately and for implementing recommendations. Specify response times, file formats (PDF, CAD, high‑resolution images), and data transfer methods to keep the project moving smoothly when there are no on-site visits. It’s also important to state that procurement and installation are typically the client’s responsibility, with optional remote vendor coordination only if agreed and priced accordingly.

Additionally, outline how remote collaboration affects procurement and installation clauses, including any travel charges for occasional site checks and how vendor substitutions are handled remotely. By tailoring the contract to a remote workflow, you maintain clarity without losing protections for both sides, while leveraging modern communication tools like Zoom, Slack, and shared drive links.

To tailor the contract for retainers and ongoing support

Ongoing advisory services require a steady framework that defines what’s included over time and how usage is measured.

Explain the retainer model clearly, whether it’s a monthly retainer, a block of hours, or ongoing maintenance of existing design schemes. Specify what is included in each period—site visits, vendor coordination, minor updates—and whether unused hours roll over or expire. Include a mechanism for pausing or ending the agreement, and describe renewal terms and notice requirements. This helps both the client and the designer plan ahead and prevents accidental service gaps. For example, a common setup is a monthly 8‑hour retainer with one site visit per quarter and a set process for adding hours if scope expands, with auto‑renewal and a 30‑day termination notice.

To maintain cash flow and predictability, tie billing to a regular cycle (monthly or quarterly) and specify how changes in scope are priced, how refunds are handled, and what constitutes a breach of the agreement. Consider including confidentiality, IP ownership of design concepts, and a clear dispute resolution path within the template so ongoing support remains professional, transparent, and legally protected for both parties.

How to customize an interior designer contract template in practice

Turning a generic interior designer contract template into a project‑specific agreement helps you move faster and protects both you and your client. This step‑by‑step guide focuses on practical drafting tips that align the exact scope, pricing, and conditions with what you’ve agreed to in writing. By following these steps, you’ll reduce back‑and‑forth, prevent scope creep, and create a clearer path to project success in 2025.

Step 1: Clarify the project scope before editing

Start by gathering all project information before you edit any contract language. Collect details such as which spaces are involved, the approximate budget, the desired timeline, and the type of engagement (full service, consulting, or e‑design). For example, a 2,800‑square‑foot condo with a $120,000–$180,000 budget and a 10–14 week timeline benefits from a scope that explicitly addresses each design phase and space.

With this clarity in hand, draft a concise one‑page project brief and use it to guide your edits. Define must‑have deliverables, nice‑to‑haves, and any constraints or assumptions. Mapping the work now makes it much easier to edit the scope, timeline, and fee sections later, and it helps you and the client stay aligned as the project progresses. As a final check, share the brief for quick client confirmation before you finalize the contract edits.

Step 2: Personalize party and project information

Update all placeholders related to parties and project identifiers so the contract is enforceable and clearly tied to a single project. Replace client and designer names with the correct legal names, update business names and addresses, and set the project title, property address, and start date. For instance, use “Acme Interiors LLC” as the client and “BrightLine Interiors, LLC” as the designer, with the property address and a concrete start date to avoid ambiguity.

Maintain a master template and consistent naming conventions to prevent mismatches across documents. Use merge fields or a document automation tool to auto‑fill fields from the proposal or intake form, and verify dates and addresses in a final pass. Confirm that the signature blocks will reflect the same names and project details, so the completed contract aligns with the proposal and any related agreements.

Step 3: Refine scope, deliverables, and exclusions

Adjust the default scope to mirror the actual work, including adding or removing phases, specifying rooms, and detailing what will be produced. Clarify the deliverables (for example, concept boards, schematic floor plans, 3D renderings, finish schedules, procurement lists) and tie each item to a timeline and responsibility. Equally important, include a short list of exclusions explicitly (e.g., architectural services, structural changes, permit applications) so clients don’t assume those are included.

Use clear, client‑friendly language rather than technical jargon. Replace vague terms like “design services as needed” with concrete descriptions such as “concept development, space planning, material specification, and procurement management for the specified rooms.” This precision helps prevent disputes and sets appropriate expectations from the outset, while still leaving room for reasonable adjustments with written change orders.

Step 4: Set fees, payment milestones, and late policies

Describe how to edit fee figures, rates, and payment dates to match the accepted proposal or estimate. Confirm the deposit amount, milestone payments, and the final balance due, and specify accepted payment methods. For example, a typical full‑service schedule might require a 30% deposit at signing, 30% upon concept approval, 20% upon design development completion, and 20% at project completion.

Encourage transparent late‑payment terms that are fair and easy to enforce. Include language such as an interest rate up to the legal maximum, suspension of work if payments are overdue, and recovery of reasonable collection costs if needed. Keep the wording straightforward—“Interest of 1.5% per month on overdue balances; work may be suspended until payment is received”—to avoid confusion and maintain a professional tone. If you rely on digital workflows, note how e‑signatures and reminder notices integrate with invoices from tools like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or PandaDoc.

Step 5: Align policies on cancellations, rescheduling, and delays

Advise updating cancellation and delay clauses to reflect the realities of design work. Structure non‑refundable retainers, minimum notice periods for cancellations or reschedules (especially for design days and consulting), and designer rights if the project is on hold for an extended period. For example, a 25% non‑refundable retainer combined with a 14‑day cancellation notice helps cover initial planning and scheduling costs while still offering some flexibility.

Explain these policies verbally as well as in writing to avoid misunderstandings. Include a clear notice‑of‑cancellation process, reference any hold provisions, and state how delays or pauses affect timelines and fees. Providing a written policy and a brief summary during client onboarding helps ensure everyone stays on the same page and reduces friction when changes occur.

Step 6: Review legal language and plain‑English clarity

Encourage scanning the contract for sections that might confuse clients and simplifying wording without altering the legal intent. Look for long sentences, vague terms, and double negatives, and replace them with concrete, measurable language. For example, swap “reasonable efforts to complete” with a concrete target date range and specific deliverables. Keeping core legal concepts intact while improving readability builds trust and reduces pushback at signing.

Consider having a legal professional review the base template, then maintain core language consistency across projects. Create a small glossary of standard terms and clauses to reuse in future agreements, and use readability tools to verify plain language scores. A clear, readable contract is not just about compliance—it speeds the signing process and reduces back‑and‑forth during negotiations.

Step 7: Prepare the contract for e‑signatures

Explain how to finalize the document for electronic signing: include signature blocks for both parties, date fields, and any required initials on key clauses (such as fees, cancellations, and photography rights) if desired. Modern platforms make this easy, and many designers pair the contract with the proposal or invoice to streamline onboarding.

Typically, the interior design contract template is sent for e‑signature alongside a proposal or invoice, creating a smooth onboarding flow for the client. Use tools like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or HelloSign to handle identity verification and audit trails, and store signed copies in a project folder on Google Drive or Dropbox. This approach keeps everything centralized, legally compliant, and ready for close‑out documentation.

Common interior design contract mistakes to avoid

When you’re drafting or using interior design contract templates, the most common problems come from how scope, pricing, timelines, revisions, and rights are described. This guide highlights practical, real‑world errors that lead to confusion, non‑payment, or damaged client relationships, and shows how to fix or prevent them in 2025. Use these actionable tips to strengthen your template and protect your work from day one.

To avoid vague or incomplete scopes

Clear scope definitions set expectations and prevent disputes from the start.

Generic descriptions like “design living room” or “consulting services” leave too much open to interpretation as the project proceeds. A weak scope can create disagreement about what was included, what was excluded, and when a phase is considered complete. On the other hand, a strong scope clearly ties rooms, phases, and deliverables to concrete criteria. For example, instead of “design living room,” use “Living Room design for 18 by 14 feet, including mood board, furniture layout, two design concepts, a floor plan with dimensions, a finish schedule, a lighting plan, two rounds of revisions, and coordination for procurement and installation.”

To prevent this, specify rooms involved, project phases, deliverables, timelines, and exclusions in detail. Draft language should state the exact deliverables for each phase, the acceptance criteria, measurements where relevant, and any assumptions or client responsibilities (like providing accurate room dimensions within seven days). This clarity helps both parties confirm what’s included before work begins and reduces back-and-forth later on.

To prevent unclear pricing and markups

Pricing clarity builds trust and reduces negotiation after work starts.

Pricing confusion often stems from hidden markups, unclear pass‑throughs, or undisclosed commissions. A common pitfall is a markup that isn’t explained, which can erode trust when the client later reviews invoices. For instance, a sofa with a $1,000 base price and a 20% procurement markup adds $200, bringing the item to $1,200, and the client never saw the breakdown. Transparent pricing helps clients understand what they’re paying for and why the numbers are set that way.

To fix this, include a clear pricing schedule in the contract. Itemize design fees, procurement markups, shipping, and handling, as well as whether the client will see vendor invoices. For example, state that procurement markup is 15% on all purchased items, with a line item showing base price, markup, and total, and that vendor invoices can be shared on request. Simple, concrete language and visible invoices prevent surprises and strengthen client confidence before signatures.

To manage expectations around timelines and delays

Timelines should be treated as estimates tied to real dependencies.

The industry experiences frequent delays from shipping, backordered items, and contractor scheduling. Promising exact completion dates in such an environment can set you up for disappointment and blame. Avoid this by framing timelines as estimates and by explaining external dependencies up front. Include a clause that limits responsibility for delays outside the designer’s control, such as supplier shortages or shipping slowdowns. In practice, pair contract language with proactive communication, not just a warranty that everything will stay on schedule.

To implement this approach, provide a timeline grid showing estimated dates for each milestone, plus a cushion period (for example, add five to ten business days for each furniture order and two weeks for custom pieces). Include a policy for updates: weekly status emails and immediate notice of any change within three business days. This combination of clear estimates and regular updates helps manage client expectations and keeps projects moving smoothly.

To handle revisions and decision fatigue

Revision limits protect both the designer and client from burnout and endless changes.

Without defined revision rounds, projects drift, budgets grow, and clients lose momentum. A practical approach is to include a set number of included revision rounds, such as two rounds, with any additional changes billed at an agreed hourly rate or fixed fee. Establish a process for requesting changes in writing, with a target response time (for example, a 2‑business‑day acknowledgement and a 5‑business‑day decision window). This keeps decisions timely and reduces the risk of scope creep.

In meetings, pair this with a gentle explanation of why decision timelines matter. Remind clients that delays in approvals push procurement timelines and can affect installation dates. Clear expectations about revision limits, combined with a straightforward change process, helps maintain momentum and preserves the project schedule without harming the working relationship.

To align on photography, marketing, and privacy

Photography rules clear disputes about portfolio use and client privacy.

Many disputes arise when designers photograph finished spaces without discussing it, or when clients are surprised to see their home online. Include a transparent clause about photography rights, portfolio use, anonymization, and client opt‑out options. For instance, state that the designer may photograph the completed space for portfolio and marketing purposes, with client consent, and that photographs will be anonymized (city only, no street address) unless the client explicitly approves full identification. You can also offer a client opt‑out to reduce discomfort and avoid awkward conversations later.

To implement this well, talk through the photography clause during the onboarding meeting and document the client’s preferences in writing. Consider providing a simple consent form with checkboxes for “include in portfolio,” “use on social media,” and “anonymize location.” This proactive conversation helps preserve trust and ensures you have permission to showcase work in a way that respects the client’s privacy.

How Bonsai helps manage interior designer contract templates

Bonsai turns static interior designer contract templates into living, reusable assets that stay connected to the rest of your business. When a contract links to a proposal, a project, and an invoice, you spend less time on paperwork and more time designing spaces. This approach lets your contracts evolve with your practice and keeps every client file aligned from first proposal to final payment.

To create reusable interior designer contract templates

A master interior design agreement template in Bonsai keeps your terms consistent across clients and projects.

Start by creating a master contract that includes your standard clauses for scope, deliverables, payment terms, cancellation, and liability. Add your branding—logo, color palette, and a professional footer—and set a clear fee structure (fixed fee or hourly with a blended rate). Use placeholders or variables so client name, project name, and dates automatically populate when you duplicate the template. Once configured, you can duplicate the master template for a new client or project and only update the scope, fees, and dates, reducing repetitive edits and ensuring every contract follows your established standards. Label it as an 'Interior Designer Contract Template' so anyone on your team can reuse it for a new client.

To track and manage interior designer contracts in one place

Bonsai lets you store every contract, proposal, and related document in a single workspace, making it easy to see the status and relationships at a glance.

Use Bonsai's status tracking—draft, sent, viewed, and signed—and attach contracts directly to projects. Centralized client records keep contact history, terms, and preferred payment terms in one place. When you attach a contract to a project, you can immediately see how the agreement ties into timelines, milestones, and deliverables. This set-up also makes it easier to search, filter, and report on contracts by client, status, or term, so you always know who still needs to sign and what terms were agreed for ongoing work. This creates a clean map from contract to proposal to project to invoice, helping you stay synchronized as work moves forward.

To automate reminders, approvals, and downstream workflows

Automation reduces manual follow-up and keeps your internal timelines aligned with client work.

Bonsai can automate several steps in the interior designer contract workflow. Here are automations you can enable in Bonsai for interior designer contracts:

• Automatically sending signature requests and reminders when a contract is pending.
• Triggering project creation once an agreement is signed.
• Linking signed contracts to invoices so payment schedules follow contract terms.
• Generating notifications when key dates (start dates, milestones, retainer renewals) are approaching.

With these automations, you reduce missed signatures and deadlines, and you keep every Interior Designer Contract Template in sync with real project activity. You can customize timing and recipients to fit your studio’s size, whether you handle a handful of projects or a growing roster of spaces.