Free Freelance Interior Designer Contract Template [Docs / DOCX]

Do you need a contract for your interior design work? We've got a free template ready for you to use right away.

Starting an interior design project is exciting, but getting the paperwork right is important. A good contract helps you and your client understand exactly what to expect. Whether you're the designer or the homeowner, this contract will help keep things clear and professional.

Our guide walks you through everything you need. We'll explain what should be in your contract, share some helpful tips, and point out mistakes to watch out for. Don't worry if this is your first time– we've made the instructions easy to follow.

What is an Interior Designer Contract?

It's a document that spells out what you (the Interior Designer) will do, how much it'll cost, when it'll be done, and what both sides need to do. It protects you and your client by clearly stating who's responsible for what, so there are no surprises along the way.

What is the point of having one?

Having a contract is important before starting any design project. It keeps things clear and professional while protecting you and your client if things don't go as planned. 

Here's why you need one:

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• It lists all the work that will be completed in your design project and what the final result should look like. For example, if your client is unsure whether custom window treatments were included in the living room design package, you can refer to the contract.
• Everything about costs is written down. This way, there won't be surprise bills or arguments about money later.
• The contract clearly states what you and your client are responsible for. This includes who picks out materials, who needs to approve decisions, and who coordinates different parts of the project. For example, if a client claims they weren't responsible for securing building permits for their office redesign, you can reference the contract that assigns this task.
• If disagreements happen, the contract explains how to solve them. It also protects design ownership and explains what happens if either person needs to end the project early.
• Having a contract makes the relationship more professional. It sets clear expectations for how you and your client should work together and treat each other during the project.
• It explains what to do when problems arise or needs change. This helps prevent misunderstandings and makes it easier to handle unexpected situations.

Disadvantages of Not Having One

Here are the main issues that can come up when working without a formal contract:

• Both sides might have different ideas about what work the designer should do. This can lead to confusion about what services are included in the project.
• Payments can be complicated without an official agreement– when, how much, and what happens if unexpected costs arise.
• Designers put themselves at risk because they have no written proof to protect them if clients don't pay, disagree about the work, or ask for things that weren't originally planned.
• Working without a contract can make designers seem less professional, making it harder to get new clients or keep current ones.
• Conflicts are hard to resolve during a project without a written agreement. For example, if a dispute arises about who's responsible for shipping damages to furniture pieces, there's no clear protocol to follow.
• Designers might lose money or face surprise costs because there's nothing in writing to protect their work and investment in the project. e.g. If a client suddenly backs out of a half-completed home theater project, you have no protection for the hours invested or materials already ordered.
• Designers often do more work than they agreed to without getting paid. For example, A dining room redesign might expand to include the adjoining living room with no additional compensation because boundaries weren't documented.

Contract Creation for Interior Designers 

When making a contract for interior design work, you should include important parts to ensure everything is clear and the designer and client are protected.

Important parts to include:

• Who's involved? Write down the full names and contact information of the designer and the client, plus any important business details. This makes it clear who is legally responsible. 
• What work will be done? Give a detailed description of all services, including exactly what tasks will be done, which areas will be designed, and what is and isn't included in the work. This prevents confusion later.
• Payment details. Clearly explain all money matters– how fees are calculated when payments are due, how much deposit is needed, and what extra costs might come up. Consider implementing an automated system where clients can view their payment history, access current invoices, and process payments securely, like the billing and invoicing features available in ManyRequests.  
• Project schedule. Set clear start and end dates, and include specific checkpoints so everyone knows if the project is on track.
• Design ownership rights. Clarify who owns the design ideas, drawings, and other creative work made during the project.
• How to end the agreement? Explain how either side can end the contract, including how much notice they need to give and what happens to any money paid.
• Privacy agreement. Include rules about keeping private information confidential throughout the project. For example, specifying that the designer won't share the client's home security preferences from their smart home installation project with third parties.
• Protection against problems. Explain what insurance is needed and who's responsible if something gets damaged or accidents happen.
• How to handle disagreements? Create a clear plan for solving any conflicts, preferably through mediation or arbitration rather than going to court.
• Extra expenses. List which additional costs (like travel or materials) the client will need to pay for, so there are no surprises about money. 

Contract Tips for Interior Designers

Here are simple and practical tips to help you make a good contract:

• Write everything in clear, easy-to-understand words. Avoid fancy legal terms when possible, so you and your client know exactly what to expect and what you're each responsible for. 
• Use different contracts for different jobs. Change and adjust it to match each specific project and client. For instance, Prontto uses conditional rules in their project briefs to collect specific information for each architectural project, ensuring their contracts and requirements are tailored to each client's needs.
• Ensure your contract has everything it needs– like what work you'll do, how and when you'll get paid when things need to be finished, and what happens if someone wants to cancel. This helps prevent confusion and arguments later.
• Read through the whole contract to catch any mistakes or things that don't make sense. A lawyer can ensure that it follows all the rules and laws.
• If you and your client agree to change anything about the original plan, make sure to put it in writing and have both sides agree. This keeps everything clear and helps prevent disagreements later.
• Stay in regular contact with your client throughout the project. Good communication helps prevent problems and keeps everyone happy with how things are going.

Tips for Avoiding Contract Mistakes

Here are important mistakes you should avoid when making your contract:

• Using generic contracts. Don't just copy and paste from a standard template. Each project is different, so your contract should be tailored to address the specific needs of each job and cover any unique legal requirements.
• Being unclear about the work. Don't leave room for confusion– spell out exactly what services you will and won't provide. For example, stating "bathroom design services" instead of specifying "full bathroom design including tile selection, fixture specifications, lighting plan, and 3D renderings of the final design."
• Being vague about money. Be very specific about payments- when they're due, how much deposit is needed upfront, and what conditions should be met for the final payment. This prevents confusion and arguments about money.
• Not following local laws. Make sure your contract follows all current laws in your area. It's worth checking with a lawyer to confirm everything is legal and proper.
• Not being clear about ending the contract. Explain how either party can end the agreement, including any penalties for ending early. For example, failing to specify that canceling the living room design project after custom furniture is ordered means the client is still responsible for those non-refundable purchases.
• Forgetting about design ownership. Be sure to include clear statements about who owns the design ideas and materials created during the project.
• Not explaining how to handle disagreements. Include a clear plan for what to do if there's a conflict, preferably trying to solve things through mediation before going to court.
• Not keeping proper records. Sign the contract together with your client. Keep these safe as proof of what was agreed. A secure CRM system can help you maintain organized client documents and communications.
• Missing insurance details. Clearly state what insurance is needed to protect both sides if anything gets damaged during the project.
• Being unclear about changes. Tell the client how many revisions are allowed and how design changes must be approved. This prevents you from getting stuck doing endless changes without extra pay. For example, not stating that after two rounds of furniture selections for the dining room, additional revisions will be billed at $150 per hour.

How to Use Our Interior Designer Contract Template

Use this as your starting point– it's ready to use but needs your personal touch. Here's what to do:

• Grab the free template.
• Make it look like your brand (Add your company name, insert your logo, put in your contact details, etc.)
• Fill in the purple highlights with your and your client’s information.
• Double-check everything.
• Save it for next time.

Wrap Up

Thank you for taking the time to review our interior designer contract template. Starting your journey as an interior designer is exciting, and having the right contract sets you up for success from day one. This template will help you handle the business side of your creative work.

While having a solid contract is a great start, keeping track of all your projects and client communications can still be challenging. That's where modern tools can make your life easier. 

If you're looking to simplify your workflow, check out ManyRequests – it's like having a personal assistant who keeps all your project details, contracts, and design feedback in perfect order. You can try it free for 14 days to see if it helps make your design business run more smoothly.