HOW MUCH DOES GOOD DESIGN COST AND HOW TO SEE ONE?

Let's talk about prices for design, the cost of good interior designer services and how the pricing policy is formulated throughout the country with Natalia Shatokhina, who is designer and owner of the Shatokhina Studio.

Natalia, the main question is how much the designer services cost?

Design prices vary depending on the skill level of a designer. It’s quite simple. The more completed projects of various direction he has in his portfolio, the higher the cost of interior design services. Prizes in Ukrainian and international competitions, participation in exhibitions - all this increases the budget, because designers of this level work on the principle of "exclusive and fashionable". Each interior is not like the previous one, even if they are made in the same style. In that case, you pay for the author’s work. But still, the cost of designer services is not only about experience or a big name.

Alright, so how much does an interior design cost and how the price is calculated??

The cost of a design project is:

• 50% creative costs,
• 40% technical costs
• 10% contractor services.

I’ll try to clear it up. Any design is primarily art. But, as you understand, it’s not enough to draw well and match curtains to the color of the floor. It’s years of practice, hundreds of seminars, read articles and books, exhibitions visiting behind that art. All the designer’s knowledge which he uses in his work is included in cost. The more and better his knowledge, the more exclusive the interior. The next fundamental thing in creating a high-quality design project is technical costs, such as the necessary equipment, professional programs, and technological literacy of the designer himself. This basis is also included in the cost of the interior designer's work. And the last one is the services of contractors. Attraction of the qualified experts (quantity surveyor, renderers) is an integral part of any design project. Designer cannot be able to do absolutely everything; it’s better to delegate some tasks to contractors.

So, the pricing of designer services and design project depends on the knowledge?

Interior design project and its price sets according to the principle of the education level (interior literacy) of the designer. Who do you think is a better specialist - a vocational school graduate or a Harvard graduate? One more time, it’s not enough to know all color names or draw well. You need to be a creative, tech savvy specialist that keeps up with the interior fashion, in order to create the right design project.

Do the price of the interior designer services in Kyiv differ from regions?

What should be mentioned is that the skill level of metropolitan designers is often higher than of their colleagues from regions. Kyiv designers usually travel more, see more, stay up to date with fashion trends, and therefore they offer an exclusive design. Nevertheless, the cost of designers services in Kyiv has a wide range, due to the fact that the city is large and there are many specialists (supply creates its own demand). Everyone evaluates himself; that’s why designers services in the capital and the pricing are so unstable.

So, the price of an exclusive interior design in Kyiv will differ from the one in regions, right?

If it’s an author’s work, it won’t really differ. A good work has its price, no matter where it’s done. You don’t think that a hand-painted porcelain vase in Lviv will cost 50% cheaper, just because Lviv is not the capital, do you? The exclusive design project and its cost will be the same, whatever the city.

How much do the interior designer services in your studio cost? Do you have an hourly pay?

In Shatokhina Studio, the cost of a design project is the cost of a m² (from $10). It’s hard to calculate art in hours. You can spend half a day looking for that very color, and then, in a few hours, make a bright 3D visualization of the room in three angles.

What about the designer consultation and the price for it? Many studios make it separate for payment.

All consultations are included in the cost of designer services. Including the first and most important one: an extensive interview, during which we discuss your future design in detail.

How much does the design project of a three-room apartment in a new building cost? Are there standard rates?

Ordering the design project of an apartment isn’t the same as purchasing bedclothes. It’s cheaper just with two pillowcases, and 100% silk is more expensive. Of course, some studios have clear prices for interior design projects, for finished ones. But this is copying, templates. We don't work like that. For me, good design requires an individual approach. Therefore, the cost of an interior design project is calculated individually, based on the preferences and budgets of the customer.

Making an interior design inexpensive, still exclusive - is it even possible?

Absolutely. Exclusivity doesn’t depend on cost. Designer creates either for you personally or sells a template interior. In other words, ordering a beautiful design project is inexpensive, just the proposed materials and accessories for the interior will be more budgetary.

Is there any difference in price between designer services and design project itself?

The cost of an interior designer or the cost of a design, in fact, are synonymous concepts. You pay for the services of a person who creates a design project. And the main thing here is quality. The price for a good interior design is the price of a good designer..

What about the prices for designer services abroad? Does they very differ from domestic ones?

It depends on the country we’re talking about. If we consider the USA, France, the UK, then interior design and designer services there will shock you. They know their worth, as well as how to surprise. Prices for interior design in Asia will be much lower; but once again, if you turn to eminent local designers, the pricing policy will exceed even American studios.

Natalia, do you think Ukrainian designers can compete with foreign colleagues?

Unfortunately, we can’t compete with them. Still we are likely to be on the same level. Nevertheless, more and more Ukrainian designers create bright and unusual interior designs every year. In my opinion, our professionals will shine on the world stage very soon. Perhaps, there would be the ones from Shatokhina Studio.

You can learn more about design projects and prices of the studio on this website. Come and check..