SHOULD YOU PUT PRICES ON YOUR WEBSITE AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

Picture this: You’ve just launched your stunning new website, complete with gorgeous project photos and compelling copy. But there’s one question keeping you up at night: should you put prices on your website?

You’re not alone! This pricing dilemma haunts interior designers everywhere. One day you’re convinced transparency is key, the next you’re worried about scaring away potential clients. It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide: the real benefits and drawbacks of showing your prices, different pricing models that actually work for designers, and practical strategies to communicate your value without underselling yourself. Plus, we’ll share insights from our experience helping hundreds of interior designers build profitable businesses.

WHY PRICING MATTERS FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Pricing isn’t just about numbers on a page. It’s about positioning your business and attracting the right clients from day one.

When potential clients visit your website, they’re doing more than admiring your beautiful spaces. They’re trying to figure out if you’re in their league financially. Without any pricing guidance, they’re left guessing, and frankly, that rarely works in your favor.

The impact goes deeper than you might think:

• Clients with unrealistic budgets waste your time with lengthy consultations
• You spend hours writing proposals for projects that were never financially viable
• Quality clients assume you’re either too expensive or not premium enough
• Your ideal clients move on to competitors who provide clearer pricing guidance

At Logistis for Designers, we’ve watched our interior design clients transform their businesses by getting strategic about pricing transparency. When our clients evolve from hiding their prices to displaying clear package pricing, something magical happens – they start attracting clients who value their expertise and are ready to invest appropriately.

The truth is, hiding your prices often creates more problems than it solves. But showing them? That requires strategy.

SHOULD YOU PUT PRICES ON YOUR WEBSITE? THE REAL PROS AND CONS

Deciding whether to display your prices on your website is a common dilemma for designers. There are compelling arguments for both transparency and discretion, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages for your business and client relationships.

The Case for Showing Your Prices

You’ll attract clients with realistic budgets upfront

Nothing beats the relief of knowing a potential client can actually afford your services before you invest time in a consultation. When you display pricing, you’re essentially pre-qualifying your leads. The clients who reach out are already mentally prepared for your investment level.

Say goodbye to endless unqualified inquiries

Remember those exhausting days of fielding calls from people whose budgets were half of what you actually charge? Transparent pricing eliminates most of these conversations. You’ll spend less time explaining why quality design costs what it does and more time talking to people who get it.

You’re making the research process easier for serious clients

Clients these days do serious homework before reaching out to any designer. They’re comparing multiple designers, reading reviews, and yes, they are trying to understand pricing. When you make this information accessible, you’re showing respect for their time and decision-making process.

Trust builds faster when you’re upfront

There’s something refreshing about a designer who’s confident enough to share their pricing openly. It signals that you’re established, professional, and proud of the value you deliver. This transparency often becomes a competitive advantage.

The Potential Drawbacks of Price Transparency

You might lose clients who would have said yes after experiencing your process

Some clients who see your prices and initially think “too expensive” might have been converted after experiencing your consultation process and understanding your unique value. There’s definitely something to be said for the power of personal connection before price discussion.

Highly customized work is tough to price upfront

Interior design isn’t like buying a sofa online. Every project has unique requirements, site conditions, and client preferences. Sometimes a ballpark price range doesn’t capture the real scope of what you do.

Competitors might use your pricing against you

This is a real concern, especially in competitive markets. Some designers worry that showing prices gives competitors ammunition for undercutting. However, if you’re competing solely on price, you’re probably not positioning yourself correctly anyway.

Luxury positioning can be harder with visible pricing

Some high-end designers feel that displaying prices diminishes the exclusivity and bespoke nature of their services. There’s merit to this concern, particularly in ultra-luxury markets.

How to minimize the cons:

• Use pricing ranges instead of fixed numbers (“Starting at $X”)
• Focus on value communication alongside pricing
• Offer multiple service tiers to accommodate different budgets
• Include disclaimers about project variables that affect final pricing

UNDERSTANDING INTERIOR DESIGN PRICING MODELS

Before you can decide how to display pricing, you need to choose the right pricing structure for your business. Let’s break down the most common models designers use:

Pricing Model	Description	Best For	Pros	Cons
Fixed Fee (Package)	Flat fee for defined scope	Small to medium projects	Predictable for clients, easier to sell	May not cover unexpected costs
Hourly Rate	Charged per hour worked	Projects with uncertain scope	Flexible, easy to track	Can be unpredictable for clients
Cost-Plus	Markup on materials and services	Large or complex projects	Transparent markup structure	Clients may dislike seeing markups
Square Footage	Fee based on project size	Large commercial or residential	Scales naturally with project size	May undercharge for complex small spaces
Percentage of Cost	Percentage of total project cost	Long, ongoing projects	Aligns your interests with project scope	Income can fluctuate significantly

Choosing your model depends on a few things: 

• Your experience level and confidence in scoping projects
• The typical size and complexity of your projects
• Your client’s preference for predictability vs. flexibility
• How much control you want over profitability

At Logistis for Designers, we help clients choose pricing strategies that fit their business model and growth goals. The key is being strategic rather than defaulting to what feels comfortable.

HOW TO DISPLAY PRICING WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE FIXED PRICES

Here’s where many designers get stuck. You know you need some pricing transparency, but your work is highly customized. How do you bridge that gap?

Start with pricing frameworks, not final numbers

Even if every project is unique, you probably have some baseline pricing structures. Share those! Your website might include something like:

“Our design consultations start at $150 per hour, with most initial consultations lasting 2-3 hours.”

“Full-service residential projects typically range from $X to $Y, depending on scope, timeline, and finishes selected.”

Break down what influences your pricing

Help clients understand the factors that affect project costs:

• Square footage and number of rooms
• Level of custom work required
• Timeline constraints
• Travel requirements
• Complexity of permits and approvals needed

Use “starting at” pricing strategically

This approach gives clients a baseline while acknowledging that most projects will be customized:

• “Kitchen renovations starting at $25,000”
• “Full home design packages starting at $15,000”
• “Design consultation packages starting at $500”

Provide examples with context

Instead of just listing prices, tell mini-stories:

“A recent 3-bedroom home renovation in Austin included space planning, full furniture selection, and project management for $45,000.”

“We helped a young family in Seattle transform their living room and kitchen for $18,000, including all furnishings and accessories.”

This approach helps clients see themselves in your work while understanding realistic investment levels.

THE HOURLY RATE REALITY FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Let’s talk hourly rates because this is where many designers struggle with transparency. The range is huge, anywhere from $75 to $500+ per hour, and lots of factors influence where you should price yourself.

Factors that influence your hourly rate:

• Your experience and reputation: Senior designers command premium rates
• Geographic location: Urban markets usually support higher rates than rural areas
• Project complexity: High-end commercial work often pays more than residential
• Specialized expertise: Kitchen and bath specialists, sustainable design experts, and other niches can charge premiums
• Client requirements: Rush projects, extensive travel, or difficult clients warrant higher rates

How to calculate your ideal hourly rate:

Start with your annual income goal, then work backwards:

1. Determine how many billable hours you can realistically work per year (generally 1,200-1,500)
2. Add your business expenses (about 30-50% of revenue for most design firms)
3. Include profit margin (aim for at least 20%)
4. Divide your total revenue need by billable hours

Communicating hourly rates confidently:

When you do share hourly rates on your website, provide context:

“Our design team charges $185 per hour for design services, which includes space planning, concept development, sourcing, and project coordination. Most clients find this approach gives them maximum flexibility while maintaining cost predictability.”

Remember, if you’re using tools like Houzz Pro for project management, you can track time more accurately and justify your rates with detailed reporting.

BEST PRACTICES FOR COMMUNICATING PRICING ON YOUR WEBSITE

Now for the practical stuff – how do you actually present pricing information in a way that attracts clients rather than scaring them off?

Use language that resonates with your ideal clients

Forget corporate jargon. Speak like you would to a friend who’s asking about your services:

Instead of: “Our comprehensive design solutions leverage extensive industry expertise to optimize spatial functionality.”

Try: “We help busy families create homes that actually work for their lives – beautiful spaces that can handle everything from homework chaos to dinner parties.”

Create helpful FAQ sections

Address the questions you hear most often:

• “What’s included in a design consultation?”
• “How long does a typical project take?”
• “Do you work with clients who are renovating in phases?”
• “What happens if we go over budget?”

Offer downloadable pricing guides

This is brilliant for lead generation. Create a beautiful PDF guide that covers:

• Your pricing philosophy
• Typical project ranges
• What affects project costs
• How to prepare for working with a designer

Gate this content behind an email signup. You’ll capture leads while providing value upfront.

Use real project examples

Nothing beats concrete examples:

“The Johnson family wanted to update their 1980s kitchen without a full renovation. We created a fresh, modern look for $12,000 by painting cabinets, adding new hardware, updating lighting, and selecting new appliances.”

Include testimonials that mention value

Let happy clients do the selling:

“Working with Sarah was the best investment we made in our home. Yes, hiring a designer was a stretch for our budget, but the time she saved us and the mistakes she helped us avoid made it worth every penny.” – Jennifer K.

HOW PRICING TRANSPARENCY FITS YOUR BRAND AND CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Your approach to pricing should align perfectly with your brand positioning. A budget-friendly designer serving young families should handle pricing very differently than a luxury designer working with high-net-worth clients.

For budget-conscious positioning:

• Lead with accessibility and value
• Show clear package pricing
• Emphasize what’s included
• Offer payment plan options

For mid-market positioning:

• Balance transparency with customization
• Use starting prices with clear upgrade paths
• Focus on process and results
• Highlight unique value propositions

For luxury positioning:

• Emphasize exclusivity and bespoke service
• Use consultation-based pricing revelation
• Focus on investment rather than cost
• Highlight prestigious past projects

Making pricing work with your client experience:

Your pricing communication should feel seamless with your overall client journey. If you position yourself as approachable and down-to-earth, hiding pricing feels inconsistent. If you’re positioning as ultra-premium, some pricing mystery might actually enhance the experience.

The key is intentional alignment between pricing strategy and brand promise.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR PRICING STRATEGY SUCCESS

Review and update regularly

Your pricing should evolve with your business. Set calendar reminders to review rates quarterly:

• Are you booking too quickly? Probably time to raise prices
• Getting lots of price objections? Maybe adjust positioning or pricing structure
• Landing ideal clients consistently? You’re probably priced right

Consider tiered packages

Offering multiple service levels helps capture different client segments:

• Essential: Basic design consultation and shopping list
• Complete: Full-service design with project management
• Premium: White-glove service with priority access and luxury touches

Gather client feedback

Ask past clients about their experience with your pricing:

• Was the investment clear upfront?
• Did they feel surprised by any costs?
• Would they have preferred a different pricing structure?

Use technology to your advantage

Tools like QBO help you track profitability by project, so you can refine pricing based on actual data rather than guesswork. When you understand your true costs and profit margins, pricing decisions become much clearer.

Stay confident in your value

This might be the most important tip of all. If you don’t believe your services are worth your prices, neither will your clients. Invest in understanding and articulating your unique value proposition.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON PRICING TRANSPARENCY

So, should you put prices on your website? For most interior designers, the answer is a strategic yes – but with nuance.

The key is finding the right balance for your business model, target market, and brand positioning. You don’t need to list every possible price variation, but giving potential clients some framework for understanding your investment level will improve the quality of your inquiries and help you attract clients who are truly ready to work with you.

Remember these core principles:

• Transparency builds trust faster than mystery
• The right clients want to understand investment levels upfront
• Your pricing communication should align with your brand positioning
• Regular review and adjustment keeps you competitive
• Confidence in your value is essential for success

Next steps:

Take an honest look at your current website. Are potential clients left guessing about what it might cost to work with you? Consider starting with one small step toward pricing transparency – maybe adding hourly consultation rates or typical project ranges to your FAQ section.

The goal isn’t to scare anyone away; it’s to attract the right clients who value what you do and are prepared to invest appropriately in quality design services.

Ready to get strategic about your pricing?

We’d love to help you think through pricing strategies that work for your specific business model and goals. At Logistis for Designers, we specialize in helping interior designers build profitable firms with smart financial strategies.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale to the next level, we understand the unique challenges of pricing design services. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your business growth. Because not knowing your numbers isn’t an option – and you deserve a partner who understands interior design.

Ready to take control of your pricing strategy? Download our free guide: “Ways to Build a Profitable Design Business” and start implementing these strategies today.

FAQs