Given its relatively new (just over 100 years), the profession of interior design is still under development but with more freedom and eclecticism than ever before. As an interior designer, you have always had to learn new skills and adapt to the ever-changing design landscape.
Today we can speak to all kinds of interior designers, and while most will complete the design concept you asked for, some may not have the skills or resources to do so. The same goes if you are an interior designer working with demanding clients who change their initial ideas a few times during a project.
So, whether you are an interior designer or a business looking to hire one, you will need a contract. One of the best ways to protect your business, all the while saving money and time, is to have a proper agreement in place.
We have recently added an Interior Design Commercial Contract to our website which sits alongside our residential one and also a CDM Regulations template pack (which helps interior designers comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
For that reason, we came up with this blog that focuses on the importance of having a contract as an interior designer, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know and more.
Why do you need an interior designer contract?
Are you running an interior design business? Do you deal with clients on a daily basis? Are your clients aware of your terms and conditions? You may be confident the project will run smoothly, but in the case of unforeseen events, the project may be difficult to perform as agreed. This is when a signed contract comes in.
Having the right interior designer contract in place will protect you and your business legally, so there is nothing to worry about should something goes wrong.
Types of interior design contracts
There are two types of interior design: residential and commercial. If you are working on commercial projects, you are planning and designing business or commercial spaces. On the other hand, residential interior design deals with private homes, houses, and apartments.
From here, you will use either a commercial interior design contract or a residential one.
As an interior designer working on a commercial or residential project, you will need to give clear guidelines to your clients about the scope of the project. This way, both parties will be familiar with the terms of the project and will remain protected in case of unforeseen events and circumstances.
So what does a commercial or a residential interior design contract include? Here are the most important clauses to include in both interior design contracts:
- Scope of services
- Payment due dates
- Insurance
- Damage to property
- Liability protection
- Intellectual property ownership
- Confidentiality
- Dispute resolutions
- Term and Termination
- Third-party products and services
- Your obligations as a Principal Designer and/or Principal Contractor
- Customer’s Obligations
- Marketing permission
Moreover, working on commercial or residential projects, you have to comply with the CDM Regulations regardless of the size of the project. Check out our CDM Regulations template pack here to help you stay on track.
If you want to learn more about intellectual property rights as an interior designer, check out our blog here.
Finally, feel free to contact us get if you need assistance completing your interior designer contract or book a 15-minute Zoom consultation for any legal questions you might have regarding your interior design business.