You should absolutely have a detailed contract that includes scope of work, especially considering it is a flat fee and not an hourly rate.

The contract should list all rooms and the extent of design you want in these rooms. There should be specific terms outlined for how to make a change in the contract and change in the fee should you want to expand the scope of work. This often happens as you dive into a project. The designer can easily say -- "Hey, I need to charge you more because you now want XYZ and but our agreement was only for ABC." Well, if ABC is not spelled out in writing, there is going to be a big problem.

Additionally, it should be spelled out what the product is that she is giving you: Is she just specifying materials, procuring the materials, giving you a discount on materials, overseeing the installation of materials, referring you to her trades people for installation. Will there be renderings, samples? How many go rounds and revisions is she including in this rate?

Also, what are the terms for cancellation? Can either of you terminate the contract? How much money will be due and what are your obligations for termination?

Aside from the contract, you need to get clear with yourself about what your budget will allow. Am I correct that your total budget including design fee is $50k, meaning you will have $35k for materials and installation and you need this to cover new flooring, new powder room (what does that mean? gutting tile, new flooring, new fixtures), updated fireplace, new lighting, and what is heavy zhushing of four rooms to include - new paint colors, textiles, furniture? What am I missing because $35k isn't going to go that far.

I guess we would really need to read the contract but how you describe it is too little info to ever sign off on. My contracts are very explicit as to what will be done and also what is not covered . I also rarely work any other way but hourly, there are just too many variables to do otherwise . I agree 35K will not even begin to do wat you are decribing . Verbal talks are needed but a good contract trumps any verbal talk. and what on earth is zhushing and so much is not spelled out at all. I spend quite a lot of time with my clients long before a contract is written and in your case this is ahuge job with the need for many specifics spelled out clearly .

You do not HAVE a contract, you have a Proposal for/RETAINER request, to begin a vague , all encompassing design project, that in no possible way.........will be covered by the remaining 35 k of your 50k budget. Your 50k will not begin to cover it, if the design were to be free.

5k/5k/5k " FLAT design fee",( 5k upfront before she even returns to your home) Common? Yes. Illegal? No! . However.............

_______________________________________________

What's missing? All the information you, and we do not know?

A contract would include:

How many designs, initially? One? Two? No designer will do more than three initially and NOT for 5k, that much is certain.

You are buying only from her? Where does she source? Wholesale? Retail?

At what price? Her wholesale, wholesale and her mark up? Will there be discounts?

When are these payments due? At ordering, receiving?, and to WHOM? What of damages, or wholesale items she procured. especially custom? Generally NOT returnable?

Who is paying contractor or subs? You? Her?

Who is supervising any contractor or a sub?

What of shipping and delivery, and set up?

Does she have a commercial receiver/in home delivery, or YOU are stuck with rain soaked boxes to be dragged into your home

What exactly is in the "full service" of any and all implementation of this single .initial

"DESIGN"

What HAPPENS if you don't love the initial design for which you will have paid 5k? Or you love it but are advised you need 150k to implement it? Mmmmm?😳 Because it sounds like this is ONE shot, one design

and where is THE LIST we are not seeing?

In this scenario as the op stated? What COULD happen?

The op could agree, cough up 5k. Receive an initial design/dollar proposal with it, Love it..or HATE it. Lets assume she hates it, Does this designer say, okay.....a little more work, I'll be back! Let's make a date! , Or does she say, "I will need need another 5k? !!! ...............................

You have no idea. Or you do? We do not: )

Thanks Jan well said . Merry Christmas

Thank you for all the helpful insights. To clarify—the designer called this a “proposal” to be followed by a contract. Regarding the budget—we stressed to the designer that if a $50k budget is not enough, she should tell us. We can increase it.

There are Interior Design Contract Templates available on line to review.

Even if it is a proposal not a contract the fact that any money is expected before their os a clear contract ajd scope of work is a huge red flag to me. I would ask to see a copy pf her contract. I would also maybe consider if this is the person you really want to work with. Communication is one of the most important things in this relationship. If it is not amazing at Tue start it won’t be getting any better later

^^^^

How about this?

You post a few interior pictures of your home. Kitchen especially and what you mean when you say"Jooooosh"

Take a few of the other areas.....living dining. etc.

Load them up as jpegs, not screen shots and post in a comment box below.Not for a critique, just for an understanding of what you have and what you might be looking for.

Two things stick out to me first you never tell somone you know nothing about the thing you are planning that is just carte blanche for bad work Second you never share the fact the budget can grow if needed a real way to go broke . Even a proposal needs to have info this one has none except when money is wanted . The kitchen alone can cost 35K. I would be looking at another deisgner or at least get some other one to give you a proposal to compare. I for one would never do this scope of wotk for anywhere near your budget .

That is the minimum she expects to charge you for her work and includes no materials/furnishings.

The first designer I used was all smoke and mirrors. Never itemized or accounted for any of her hours and would just keep sending me bills every month. We finally parted ways. She was a decent designer and we were willing to spend money, but the sleazy way she tried to get more money out of us was unprofessional. Our town was "small", so you can bet that all my friends knew and told others to contact me if they ever considered using her. I had plenty of emails to share that showed her poor business practices.

Found another designer through a neighbor and she was great. She worked more as a consultant for the designs ideas I came up with. Her billing was clear and detailed and I always knew what I was paying for.

Buyer beware.

First thing I'd want to now? How long has she been in business? Why? Because in this business, (any really,) but certainly this one? Bad results, dishonesty ? Both travel far and wide at the speed of light. You simply wouldn't survive for long.

Every single design relationship is built on a strong level of trust, that should GROW over the process of design!; It means honesty and transparency both parties involved beginning to end.. You are not paying any designer for "errands/ tasks" , really. Those are just contained within what you really need and want from her. Art, an eye, expertise, taste, her trades and sources, an understanding of how to take what you like and give it back to you, in a BETTER result than you could have hoped for , let alone,achieved on your own.

Contracts are the necessary evil, the "good solid comfort, and detailed explanation". Don't ask how difficult and expensive to ENFORCE. !! if one party has no integrity. You have to begin from trust. T.R.U.S.T that works both ways.

I can smell the rat upfront, 90% of the time. I don't DO that rat. That other 1% is the BIG surprise rat, and the surprise will always be at the end of a great result. Some balance.....some number of dollars,.... irrelevant or major league. . The rats will all be noted as initials, when I write my book. : )