{Updated as of February 23, 2020} In 2018, I was invited to do a hotel project by a colleague. I remember being excited praying that this project will push thru, at that time I haven't met or discussed the project in charge yet. Still, I was positive to do the job because it was a big one for me at that time.
By the time the contractor and I have discussed the exchange of E-mails and phone calls. He had a very convincing project portfolio telling me that he did a certain hotel prior to that and he is doing another one and needs an interior designer to give him the best price that I offered and countered me with a 5,000 PHP offer for 1,500 square meters plus to do the design their reason behind it I would be simply doing the design only and emphasized that many times that it was just a design.
I immediately declined the project in a polite and firm indication that they lack the value and input of a licensed interior designer. I was told by them that they did the design of a hotel nearby Parkmall, whom I also knew the Interior Designer behind it, which was my first indication of a red flag client.
At that time, I was starting out my career for a year and I have taken several projects with a fair rate and an understanding of the contribution to the profession of interior design. I felt offended and thought why are they thinking that anyone would not let go of this type of project? This prompted me to update this blog post so that you may understand where my point of view is coming from.
Why Interior Designers are the same as those other licensed professionals? According to the www.lawphil.net.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10350: THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 2012 AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 8534, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES", APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSESWe also took a 4-year course and took a licensure exam which leads to the successful passers acquiring a license and also becoming a member of an organization on the chapter of their own choosing. That doesn't give anyone a license to undervalue licensed professionals over the unlicensed ones or even think that it's simply a design. A sketch to make in a day that most people had misunderstood.
When it comes to the fees of an interior designer, there are lots of various reasons on how the fee is being computed and one of the few factors there are base on-site location, the scope of work, number of site visits, and years of practice by the professionals are just a few factors to mention.
As mentioned in this article written by Interior Designer Vera Villarosa-Orila for Real Living in 2016.
From 301sqm and above—Note that charges get lower as the space gets bigger. For areas measuring 301sqm. and above, design fee rates are at a minimum of P400 to a maximum of P800 per square meter.
Almost 5 years had passed since that post was published, still, somehow these standards are being followed despite the economic development and progression that is happening. It's safe to say that the counteroffer made by the engineer to do the 4 story hotel project was a good pass on my end.
In my commercial projects, I do follow the standards and check accordingly the factors of the services I'll be serving my clients since it is a personalized service base on their needs and I always ensure that it's a win-win for both of us and to work with people and companies who values the output of our creativity and technical expertise. Above mentioned or estimated computation was the design only with sign and seal and does not include the other works such as project management and site visits and sometimes these administrative works may fall under the consultation services, where I also get my basis in my computation but likewise, I have a different way in charging my clients which is different from Manila Interior Designers. Below is how it was computed, based on the article written by Interior Designer Vera Villarosa-Orilla for Real Living in 2016.
Consultation For projects that do not require much planning, you can hire an interior designer for consultation only. This service takes into account material and decoration like sourcing for furniture, furnishings, and sometimes decorative finishes like wallpaper and accent tiles, as well as the actual setting up of the project site. Rates may vary but the designer can charge a minimum of P500 to a maximum of P1, 500 per hour. Lump sum rates can go from P4, 000 to P10, 000 to cover the eight working hours per day. These rates do not include transporation and food expenses for projects within Metro Manila and the aforementioned plus accommodation for out of town projects—both local and international.
If you are planning to hire and inquire about an Interior Designer, please ensure that you will be dealing with professional Interior Designers and that expect that they will ensure that your projects will be worthy of the results that you have desired. I hope that this post gives you an idea of how interior designers charge their fees. {Original Post was in 10-31-2018 Titled: Declining a Hotel Project}
When you have space and planning to hire an Interior Designer here in Cebu, Philippines, My team and I would be glad to take part in your journey. Give us an overview of your project and let's decide together how we will proceed on our next step. Send us love via E-mail.
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