The purpose of this document is to explain precisely how we charge for our services. We operate a simple fee structure, full details of which are outlined below.(Please note the prices quoted are for residential clients only; commercial projects are subject to individual quotation. All fees are subject to VAT.)

Initial Consultation

An important part of our assessment is to view your chosen space, discuss your requirements/ budget, make initial suggestions and assess how much involvement you need from us. This initial consultation takes place in your home, within days of you first contacting us.

The consultation is your opportunity to show us the space, present us with your ideas and ask us any questions you have about how we work. The consultation generally lasts 90 minutes, during which time we discuss your interior needs in greater detail, show you our portfolio and generally get a better feel for the area you want re-designed.

At this stage, if required, we would also undertake a full laser survey and take photographs of the space in question. Following the meeting, we will send you a detailed proposal for the work we propose to undertake, with fixed fees given for each item.

Fee: Free of Charge
(However, if you live outside the KT, SW, TW postcode areas, a small pre-agreed fee is charged to cover travel expenses.)

Interior Design

After receipt of our proposal, if you wish to proceed, the next stage involves us making as many site visits as necessary to establish the detail of your requirements, presenting design suggestions and samples as appropriate, and drawing up floorplans and layouts. How long all this takes varies according to the complexity of your particular project – and, crucially, any changes which you ask us to make along the way.

Together with the final drawings, we’ll present you with a detailed sampleboard and a list of key items of furniture, fabrics, fittings (such as lighting) and accessories, all of which can be purchased through us. All goods within the design scheme will be invoiced at the Trade Price plus an agreed handling charge.

Once you have approved the final drawings, we can prepare detailed specifications for the works to be undertaken by craftsmen and contractors – carpenters, plumbers, decorators and the like. You can choose whether to hire and supervise contractors yourself, or to use our services

Fee: Fixed fee for our research time and interior design ideas based on an hourly rate of £50

A 50% deposit for our design fee is payable upon engagement with the remainder payable upon delivery of sample boards and design specifications.

Design Packages and Supply

All products supplied to complete your new interior scheme are charged at the best Trade Prices we can negotiate on your behalf, plus a small handling charge of 12%. A deposit is required prior to the placement of any purchase orders.

Project specification for contractors (optional)

Once you have approved the final drawings, we can prepare detailed specifications for the works to be undertaken by craftsmen and contractors – carpenters, plumbers, decorators and the like. You can choose whether to hire and supervise contractors yourself, or to use our services

Fee: Fixed fee based on an hourly rate of £50

Project co-ordination/management

Dufour Designs, if commissioned, will work on your behalf to see the project through from start to finish. We will produce competitive costings & negotiate trade discounts. We will appoint contractors, source suppliers, organise the work/installation, hold regular site meetings with the contractors, co-ordinate hand-over including the resolution of any snagging issues and organise a 3 months defects meeting.

Dufour Designs do-not receive any commission from the tradesmen involved. (Please note that not all interior designers operate this way!) We pride ourselves on achieving the best possible service and value for our clients.

Fee: charged at 12% of the overall project cost.

(However, this 12% is generally recouped by the package deals and discounts we negotiate on your behalf, from manufacturers and contractors. Thus, our overall involvement makes this service extremely good value.)

Invoices in respect of the project co-ordination/ management fee are charged in line with payments to contractors/ suppliers or at intervals throughout the duration of the project. Clients will be invoiced directly by each contractor, ensuring those all-important guarantees.

Our residential projects have varied greatly in size and contract value, ranging from £6K for a room make-over (curtains, flooring, colour scheme, lighting and accessorising the new decor) to over £500K for a large residential project, re-designing the entire footprint of the property to include a stylish new extension, together with a comprehensive internal refurbishment. This included a state-of-the-art German kitchen, Italian designer furniture and exclusive finishes throughout..

We also get commissioned by design-led commercial clients with projects ranging from interior design consultancy only, where we have advised clients on furniture and exclusive finishes for independent hotels, bars, restaurants and well as an upmarket nursing home group, to custom made joinery work and bespoke furniture created for "The Base" (a new government initiative currently being trialled in London, encompassing an advise centre, job centre and youthclub all under one roof). We have also been commissioned to design concept proposals for the "Institute of Directors" refurbishment at 116 Pall Mall.