I've been hired........

**Dancing Lotus** · 03-11-2008, 12:41 PM

Apparently I am a decorator. ?????

My friends mom just hired me to decorate her bedroom. She said she has always wanted a decorator. LOL I told her I wasn't one and she said it was in me. We are going to meet on Saturday to discuss budget and what she wants. She told me what ever I wanted but I don't think that I am comfortable with that. I am going to put together a book of ideas like you see them do on TV so she can tell me what she likes and doesn't like. I don't have any idea where to begin. This is exciting and nerve racking at the same time. I have no idea what to charge her. Do I charge a percentage of her overall budget?
I'm still a little confused as to how this all happened.

**leezza** · 03-11-2008, 01:17 PM

Ann,

First off way COOL : ) you will do a great job!

*might try asking, what her favorite colors are, and what style she prefers...

*Price I am not sure but don't make it to inexpensive because if she tells all her friends and such they will want the same price.....JMHO....maybe see how much time it takes and come up with something you both think is fair??

Good Luck,
leezza

**IntlMom** · 03-11-2008, 01:21 PM

WOW!!!! How great for you!!! I hope you have a blast do it too!! You;ll do great, cause the stuff in your house looks amazing!
I;m no help with the price thing, but congrats for sure!!!

**JustMegan79** · 03-11-2008, 02:09 PM

Thats awesome! Congrats. I think it would be so neat to do somethinig like that...if only I didnt have to work 8 shifts a week to NOT even cover bills...I could see myself doing it.

Have fun with it, and I agree with the previous poster regarding price...dont under-charge for your time, (its really priceless!) and especially because you may get referrels!

I would suggest not using a flat rate...or an hourly rate. I would look at the detail involved, the time you must invest, and decide on a reasonable flat rate per job.

GOod Luck!

**Cricket1** · 03-11-2008, 02:24 PM

Oh Ann--I'm soooo happy for you. I wish you lived closer and could come decorate for me!!!! DO NOT sell yourself short. You are a decorator. Make sure you get what you're worth!

**Ceashels** · 03-11-2008, 03:09 PM

What FUN!
You are very creative and your client's tastes will be the guide. You could charge an initial consult fee (flat rate) to learn about your client and their needs then subtract it from the overall cost of the project. That way you will have an idea of the amount of time it will take BEFORE you commit to a price.

Have a blast!

**mombottoo** · 03-11-2008, 05:19 PM

That is really great!!! Best of luck with your endeavor!!!

**wanderlusting** · 03-11-2008, 05:24 PM

Congrats on your new job! Wishing you well in your new enterprise!

**Tamerama** · 03-11-2008, 05:41 PM

I have a friend who does this and charges by the hour. She is a designer (with a degree) so I won't tell you what she charges. Perhaps since this will be your first job at it you could ask your "client" what she would consider reasonable? And be sure to take before and after pics as you should start a portfolio of work!!!
Good luck to you!! SOunds like a fun endevour!

**Dancing Lotus** · 03-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

What FUN!
You are very creative and your client's tastes will be the guide. You could charge an initial consult fee (flat rate) to learn about your client and their needs then subtract it from the overall cost of the project. That way you will have an idea of the amount of time it will take BEFORE you commit to a price.

Have a blast!

Thats a good idea. I have seen the space so I will get a ball park in my head. Then when I speak with her on Saturday I can kinda feel her out and go from there. I have a color chart thingy that I am going to ask her to pick a side of the chart. That will tell me a lot about her taste in colors. I also thought that I could ask her to go to the fabric store with me and pick out some things she likes. Then I will know what prints she likes. This is going to be a blast because I don't think she will be hard to please.

**Michelle68** · 03-11-2008, 07:03 PM

Wow! How cool is that! I can tell by seeing your pics of your home that you are very talented. Congratulations.

--Michelle

**shoiji** · 03-11-2008, 07:26 PM

Way to go. You can also have her look through some magazines and have her show you what her ideas are. Sometimes better to see something than going by description. Also, make sure you know upfront exactly what she expects you to do. Is it the whole room redone, adding pieces, drapes, etc. and stay with that. If she wants to do more finish the first contract then start another. Something like that. Don't undersell yourself. If things develop where you have various clients, don't be afraid to say I can't help you. Your ideas and styles may be to different with the clients. Nothing wrong with that. You will do a great job since the pictures you posted really showed both creativity and inginuity!!

Don't forget to show us the pictures also!!

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-11-2008, 07:33 PM

I think you will do just fine, your wonderful artistic and your deocration skills as I have seen are wonderful.

As for paying, I would see what others are charging and then cut that fee down since she's a friend but tell her that if she tells anyone else the fee for this and that is set at ???? Fill in the question marks.

**Dancing Lotus** · 03-11-2008, 07:52 PM

I think I could only reasonably charge half what a pro would charge. I have no formal training. I'm not even sure that I am that good I just know that I have a good eye for what goes together. I have a lot of things in my own home that aren't what I would do if I had my choice but I just do the best I can with what I have.

My friend said that her mom was complaining about not liking her bedroom but that she didn't know what to do with it. Then she started to tell her mom about how I like to decorate and that she liked my house. So her mom asked her if I wanted a job, she then called me and asked. AT first I was going to say no, but then I figured I had nothing to loose.