How to Budget a Full Service Interior Design Project

Budget is the conversation most clients dread, and the one that protects the project most. A clear budget gives every decision a frame and keeps the design moving forward with confidence.

We typically separate spend into three buckets: construction and trades, furnishings and finishes, and a contingency for the unexpected. Each bucket has its own rhythm and approval process.

Construction costs are driven by scope, site conditions, and finish level. Furnishings are driven by quantity and quality. A useful starting point is to identify two or three rooms that need to feel finished, and to invest there first.

Contingency is not optional. We plan for ten to fifteen percent so a discovery during demolition or a backordered tile does not derail the project.