🏠 Invoice Templates

Interior Designer Invoice Template: Free + What to Include

Q: How do interior designers typically charge?

Most use hourly or flat fee for design + cost-plus markup (15–30%) on FF&E procurement.

Interior design invoicing is uniquely complex — you're billing for design time, procurement, trade discounts, and physical goods all on the same project. Here's exactly what to include and how to structure it.

In this guide:

→ What makes interior design invoicing unique
→ Interior design invoice fields
→ Deposit structures
→ Free interior designer invoice template
→ Getting paid on time

What Makes Interior Design Invoicing Unique

Unlike a web designer who invoices for time and deliverables, an interior designer may invoice for multiple revenue streams on a single project:

Design fee

Your professional fee for design work — concept, space planning, drawings, supplier coordination. Typically flat fee or hourly.

Furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E) procurement

You purchase items on behalf of the client. You may invoice at trade cost + markup, or at retail price (keeping the trade discount as profit).

Procurement management fee

A fee for managing the procurement process — typically 15–30% on top of item costs, separate from the design fee.

Contractor coordination fee

For managing tradespeople (painters, carpenters, plumbers) — usually 10–15% of total contractor costs.

Pricing model comparison

Model	How it works	Best for
Hourly rate	€80–200/hr for all design time	Smaller projects, ongoing work
Flat design fee	Fixed fee per room or per project	Defined scope projects
Cost-plus	FF&E at cost + 15–30% markup	Large procurement projects
Fixed fee all-in	One fee covering design + procurement management	Full-service residential
% of total project cost	8–15% of total build/renovation budget	Large commercial projects

Trade discounts — to pass on or not?

As a trade buyer, you typically receive 30–50% off retail prices. Whether you pass this to clients or keep it as profit should be agreed upfront and stated in your letter of agreement.

Interior Design Invoice Fields

A professional interior design invoice needs more fields than a typical freelance invoice:

Field	Notes
Project name + address	Tie invoice to specific property/space
Rooms / spaces covered	"Master bedroom + en-suite" — prevents scope disputes
Design phase	"Concept design" / "Technical drawings" / "Implementation"
Service period	Date range for this invoice
Design fee line item	Separate from procurement
FF&E items (if applicable)	Each item: description, supplier, quantity, unit cost, markup
Procurement management fee	% of FF&E total, stated separately
Contractor coordination fee	% of contractor costs, stated separately
VAT / tax	On design fee; VAT on goods varies by jurisdiction
Payment instructions	Bank details + due date

Deposit Structures for Interior Design

Always take a deposit before starting work. Standard structures:

Standard residential project

→30% design fee deposit on signing
→50% of procurement budget advance before ordering any FF&E
→Balance of design fee on project completion
→Balance of FF&E costs on delivery

Large commercial project

→20% on contract signing
→30% on completion of concept phase
→30% on completion of technical drawings
→20% on project handover

Design-only (no procurement)

→50% on signing / project start
→50% on delivery of final design pack

Free Interior Designer Invoice Template

Chaser's invoice builder handles interior design billing with multiple line item types, custom descriptions, and automatic payment reminders when clients are late.

Build your interior design invoice — free

Professional PDF invoices with automatic follow-up emails when clients haven't paid.

Use free template →

Getting Your Interior Design Invoices Paid on Time

Interior design invoices can be large — €5,000–€50,000+ — which makes late payments very painful. Protect yourself:

1.Never release FF&E orders until the procurement advance is paid

2.Hold final design files (CAD drawings, specification sheets) until final payment received

3.Include a retention clause for large commercial projects (5–10% held back 30 days after completion)

4.Use milestone-based invoicing to spread cashflow risk

5.Automate payment reminders — most late payments are forgotten, not malicious

Frequently Asked Questions

How do interior designers typically charge for their services?

Most use a combination: hourly or flat fee for design work, plus cost-plus markup (15–30%) on FF&E procurement. The exact model should be agreed in writing before starting.

Should I show my trade discount on the invoice?

Only if you've agreed to pass it on. If you're using cost-plus pricing, show the client your cost (what you paid) plus your markup. Full transparency prevents disputes.

Do interior designers charge VAT on furniture they buy for clients?

VAT rules on goods and services vary by country. In most EU countries, you charge VAT on your design fee and on goods you supply. Consult your accountant.

What happens if a client doesn't pay before I've ordered furniture?

This is why procurement advances exist. Do not order FF&E without the advance paid — you become personally liable for the order. Make this clear in your letter of engagement.

How do I invoice for an ongoing interior design retainer?

Monthly retainer invoices should specify: service period, included hours, any additional hours at [rate]/hr, and what's covered (project management, supplier liaison). Chaser can automate monthly retainer invoicing.

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