There are different ways you can handle this...a couple are; when you purchase an item, add an upcharge of a certain % to the original cost of the item, i.e. 25%.  Or you can charge by the hour, but that is questionable, sometimes your items can take a long time to find, and it would be extremely costly to your client to cover the cost of your time for an item. 

With me, I am still finding my way with this process.

~S~

I don't advise adding a perentage to the purchase price of the items to cover your; it seems unfair to charge more than retail pricing and you don't necessarily have a demonstrable incentive to get the best deal for client with that program.  I charge a flat rate by the hour for everything - including consultation and shopping time. Since I have been doing this for a few years I know where to go to get what is required in a short amount of time. In the beginning since I was less experienced I often didn't charge a client for every minute or even every hour of shopping time. I didn't feel it was very fair for a client to pay extra for my learning curve.

I suggest charging for the consultation ($100 seems a little steep, unless you are VERY experienced) and at that time give her an estimate of what the total hourly charge will be.  Somtimes a range, such as 3-5 hours for example, is reasonable to quote.  Gives you a little cushion. Also estimate or establish what her budget is for the purchases. Then the client has a general estimate for what the total charges will be and you can stay within her authorized parameters.

I always think of a consultation as giving advice and a actual redesign as going to the clients home and doing the actual redesign.  Clearly, if you are going to shop for her you have to go look at the space to figure out what she wants etc...  Most redesigners/stagers seem to charge half of their hourly rate for shopping services but you need to establish with the client how many hours she wants to pay you for and what her budget is for the items you are buying.  Since you are new it would be in your favor to make sure you got her the items in the time frame given, even if you have to shop longer and not get paid.  It would be in your favor as you can get some good before and after photo's and word of mouth exposure etc..  Here is my suggestion for what it is worth.  Charge the $100.00 for the consult but with the understanding that it will be reimbursed back to her if she decides to move forward with the redesign.  Which means you would deduct that amount from the total cost of the redesign and shopping.  If she doesn't move forward with your services you keep the $100.00.  I would try to limit your consult to 30 or 60 minutes and I would not give her any advice on what you would do - just find out how she uses the space and what type of items she wants, her style etc...  I would also get your fee for shopping and the shopping budget up front and I would pay for the items in cash.  You could always take her shopping with you as well.

I usually don't charge for the initial meeting. I charge half my hourly rate for shopping.  I never charge a client more for an item than I paid for it! Redesign, more than staging, depends heavily on referrals and word-of-mouth. I try very hard to listen to the homeowners needs and lifestyle, and I try to make it fun! Good luck!

Although I am pretty new, this has worked for me so far. Even if you are new, your time is valuable and free trips can add up if you don't get hired.  Especially with gas prices the way they are.

On Redesigns I charge for the initial trip to the property but it is credited If we go forward. When we do, I then develop a formal plan with time and cost estimates in writing. You gotta have a plan. The fee for developing this plan I figure into the time estimate portion which includes me meeting with and getting cost estimates from subcontractors if needed (most people hate that process)getting quart paint samples if painting(no cost to me through Dunn Edwards).  After that the actual process is an hourly rate.  I also charge 1/2 my hourly to shop.  I plan in advance where I will go based on my client's budget so I am not running all over town eating up my valuable time and their budget. This is the same if I go with the client.  I have a formal time log in my clients file to include with my invoice. That's my story! Best to you Sheila!

See how things can change on a dime?  Just last week you were wondering why you hadn't done a Redesign yet and how to market the service....=)

In our book: A Consultation is a Consultation and has it's own flat rate fee seperate from the actual Resdesign or Staging. 

The Redesign will also have a seperate flat rate fee based on the amount of labor hours it will take to complete the job.  Some factors would be: are we doing 1 room or the whole house?  Are we doing 99% of the work or is the home owner going to get a majority done before we get there such as declutter and removing unwanted furniture.  

Lastly regarding the fee for shopping and reading everyones responces....  Lisenced Interior Deisngers ALWAYS charge a percentage on top of what they buy AND/OR an hourly fee.  At my company it depends on what we're buying. If we are buying at wholesale cost (which if often) we charge a percentage on top of the purchase price (since the total would STILL be less than retail for the client).  If we're going to a local "store" and just buying "stuff" we charge them the same as purchase price, but then charge the hourly fee instead.

You've received some great advice... I echo Sandra on this case. I do charge for shopping however when I am just shopping for the client. For example, they did not want me to shop in the beginning, but after the redesign they wished they had whatever or were interested in another room because of the results of the original room.

I'm a guess-tamator. I would quote what I think it would take me to shop for whatever items, if it takes longer - too bad for me - I'll know better next time.

Great question Sheila

Connie,

Do you have a book that your company has written? You mentioned when you answered my email that you had a book called " A consultation is a consultation". Where can I get a copy of this book?

Back again ~ am still learning this process as well, so I am interested in reading others comments.  However, I tend to go along with Connie.  I have worked with a seasoned (20+ yrs) interior designer, and followed some of her lead.  I do buy a lot wholesale, and, thus, add on a percentage.  And if I do find something at a retail outfit, I still find it's a better deal for them to add an upcharge, as opposed to charging for all my time shopping around.  I am upfront with the client about the costs, and haven't had any complaints sofar.  I'm sure I'll get a good system as I continue to grow - as I am sure you will too Sheila! :)

~S~

Of course, if one is buying whole sale you would add a percent fee - I do agree with that.  I guess I was assuming that Sheia was buying retail.  Looks like you got lot's of great feedback.

I am with Connie with regard to adding charges to the price you pay for titems -- when buying wholesale I add a percentage, and it is still usually less than full retail. If I paid full retail for an item then I charge my hourly rate and do not have an adder on top of that.

Sheila - LOL, I'm honored that you think I have written a book!  No, it was just a figure of speach regarding our policies for our clients.

Sheila!  YAY - You got the job!  I do charge by the hour ($100, $300 minimum) for the work.  For Shopping, 60% ($60) per hour.  Julie