Interior designer for small businesses and fit-outs

Small business owners opening or refreshing a shop, cafe, salon, clinic or office, and landlords preparing tenancies.

Project fee, often staged (concept, documentation, site support), or a percentage of the fit-out budget agreed in advance.

• Space planning for customer flow and function
• Drawing and documentation (CAD or similar)
• Knowledge of materials and suppliers
• Project management and client presentations

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, which clients and builders often expect
• Building codes, accessibility and fire safety rules vary by state, so check requirements and involve a licensed certifier or builder
• Payment terms and staged invoicing to protect cash flow on long projects
• Qualifications or design association membership may help win commercial clients, check what is expected locally
• Costly mistakes in drawings, so check measurements and specifications carefully

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on design software, insurance, a portfolio and how you present to clients.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many projects you run and your fees. Estimates start at about 15 hours a week.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, plus building, accessibility and fire safety rules in your state, involving a licensed certifier or builder. Also check payment terms, and what qualifications or association membership clients expect locally.