How to create interior design business policies
Starting your own interior design business can be a rewarding and exciting venture. However, it's important to establish clear policies from the start to ensure that you and your clients are on the same page.
You may have worked for another designer and seen both the successes and failures of their policies. It's a good idea to take a step back and make sure that you adapt policies to suit you and your interior design business.
You are allowed to decide your interior design business policies and procedures. Ensure, of course, that your policies comply with the legal requirements in your state and country.
I learnt the hard way. When I first started, my policies were reactive rather than proactive. They evolved because something in my business showed me they were required. This is a difficult realisation and one that cost me time and stress.
When you create business policies, you create boundaries and order. You are more professional because you have taken the time to think through the processes, which means you can work more efficiently in your business.
Whenever I have come up with a policy and then let it slip, even a little bit, it has led to more stress. So though you don't want to be inflexible, your policies are there for a reason.
I like to think of policies in six areas: Design Process, Communication, Payment, Cancelling and rescheduling, design style and revisions.
Let's talk about each of these in turn, and I'll give you some tips for creating effective interior design business policies:
Establish your design process: Clearly outline the steps you will take with each client, from initial consultation to project completion. In my coaching sessions, we take the time to map out the process as completely as possible. We write emails and standard operating procedures that can make this process run more smoothly. This will help clients understand what to expect and ensure that the design process runs smoothly.
Set clear communication expectations: Make it clear how and when you will be communicating with clients, whether it be via phone, email, or in-person meetings. This will help prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page. One of my golden policies is not to accept texts as official communication. Firstly, it can catch you at inopportune moments when you are not in work mode. Secondly, you can easily forget a text that appears at 11 pm. This leads to costly errors.
Determine your payment policies: Decide on your payment schedule and method. Will you require a deposit upfront? How will you handle unpaid balances? Clearly outlining these policies will help prevent any financial misunderstandings. This is particularly important if you are purchasing on behalf of your client. In my design business, I take payment at the time of order. I action the order immediately, checking with the supplier the lead time and ensuring that the client is fully aware. I have policies in place that deal with restocking fees and returns. You can embed these policies into your contract.
Set cancellation and rescheduling policies: It's essential to have a plan in place when clients need to cancel or reschedule appointments. Determine what your policies will be and communicate them to clients upfront. If you have a paid design consultation, for example, explain when booking about the notice that they need to give to cancel.
Establish your design style: Communicate your design aesthetic and style to clients in the design consultation. Make sure that they have some idea as to the project cost. Don't minimise the cost or time a project will take to complete. This only leads to acrimony. This will help ensure that they clearly understand what you can offer and prevent misunderstandings down the line.
Determine your policies for revisions and changes: It's essential to have a plan in place for when clients want to make changes to the design plan. Outline clearly how out-of-scope items will be dealt with. Determine how you will handle revisions and any additional fees that may be involved.
Clear policies can help you formulate solid and efficient systems in your design business. If you have a particular way of working that works for you, ensure that your client is aware of this and that you also stick to it. If a client sends you a text, respond by email and outline the communication policy.
By establishing clear policies, you can ensure that your interior design business runs smoothly and efficiently. This will help you build trust with clients and establish your business as a professional and reliable choice.
Hi 👋🏽 I’m Joanne!
I’m an interior designer, educator and business coach. After studying Economics and Education at uni, the design world beckoned, drawing me to Christie’s in London, where I completed post-grad studies in art & design and then to Hong Kong, where I founded Eclectic Cool, a design firm and design store. . Eclectic Cool represented international brands such as Gubi, &tradition, HAY, Armadillo Rugs & Dinosaur Designs to name a few. My work and store have been featured in Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decor, Expat Living, Cathay Pacific inflight magazines, South China Morning Post and the ABC (Australia) network and more. I live on the south coast of Australia on a country property between the beautiful Australian bush and the Pacific Ocean with my husband and cavoodle. I’m the mum of three adult children.
