EP 099 | Should Interior Designers Switch to Flat Fees? with Jamie Ivey
Is switching from hourly billing to flat fees the right move for your interior design business?
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Jamie Ivey about her transition from hourly billing to flat fees and the lessons she learned along the way. While flat fees can offer advantages for both designers and clients, Jamie explains why they require careful planning, accurate estimating, and strong business systems.
For interior designers considering a change in pricing strategy, this conversation offers valuable insights into profitability, project selection, and creating a business model that supports your goals.
In this episode, we learn:
• The advantages and challenges of flat-fee pricing versus hourly billing
• Why taking on too many projects may be a sign your fees are too low
• How commercial design projects can offer unique opportunities for flat-fee pricing
• Why smaller projects, such as condo lobby designs, can be a good testing ground for flat fees
• How consultation-based design services can create an alternative business model without project management responsibilities
• Why accurate pricing and strong systems are essential for profitability
Take Aways
Start with Volume 3: Win the Flat Fee Game.
Jamie is a late bloomer to the world of design. With a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Jamie worked for over 7 years as an IT consultant and project manager for consulting firms in New York City and Washington DC. Though quite successful, her passion for design finally took over and she made the choice to change careers. After graduating with an interior design degree from Virginia Tech, Jamie and her husband relocated to Southern California and worked on local and international luxury hospitality and high-end multi-family projects.
Jamie has now branched out on her own, creating Ivey Design Group, where she works on both commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential projects. She lives with her yacht designer husband, Trip and four-year-old son, Jack in Richmond, Virginia.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.
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