Help-How much should I pay my interior designer??

cmurphy924

My husband and I recently renovated a home we bought.  My brother's best friend had a sister who I had met a few times and she is an interior designer.  I asked her if she would help us renovate the 3 bedroom home and she happily agreed.  I asked her what her rate was during our first meeting and she told me she does not charge friends or family a rate, but rather they are welcome to give her what they find appropriate at the end of the project.  She said it can get ugly working for friends/family, so this is how she does business in these situations.  It took us about 3 months to do the home (minus the kitchen and living room, as these rooms did not need any work), but she did help us choose paint, lighting, flooring, faucets, hardware, cabinets, carpet, tile and re-do an entire vanity.  She also helped us find most of the contractors to perform the work.  My husband and I also did a lot of the work on our own.  We made most of the visits to Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.  She did come with us to some of the visits with the contractor's and help speed most of the projects along. We also hired some contractor's on our own as well.  So, I don't feel this is straight forward project.  We probably spent between 25K and 30K total.  I do want to compensate her for her work, but I have no idea what to give her.  I would say she probably did about 50 to 60% of the work and we took care of the rest.  How much should I pay her? What is appropriate?

Thanks!!!!!

TX-Bride

When I was taking ID classes, one of our mandetory courses was the business aspect of the interior design. There are different ways that a designer can charge their clients, an hourly rate for their time, the client purchases everything and pays the co

nikip6454

TX-Bride:

When I was taking ID classes, one of our mandetory courses was the business aspect of the interior design. There are dif

TX-Bride

^^ Well said about the regional prices and degree/licensed designer vs. decorator.  My prices was for a decorator without license or degree.

katharine25

there are a few ways ID's will charge fees, either hourly, percentage based on overall , +/ or commissions on purchases.

Given the circumstances, I would say give her something based  on the overall project cost. I would say something like

~NB~

cmurphy924:

My brother's best friend had a sister who I had met a few times and she is an interior designer.

I asked her wha