Interior Design Studio with a Material Library

Homeowners doing larger renovations, small businesses such as cafés, salons and offices, and property developers or landlords.

Design fees, project management fees and, where agreed, mark-ups on furnishings and materials you source for clients.

• Space planning, drawings and specifications
• Managing budgets, suppliers and tradespeople
• Sales, client presentations and contracts

• Rules on using the title 'interior designer' differ by province, and some provinces regulate it, so check with your provincial association
• Commercial work may involve building codes, accessibility rules and permits, so check requirements with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and professional liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff (rules vary by province)
• Commercial rent and fit-out costs are a fixed commitment, and project income can be uneven, so keep a cash buffer
• Check lease terms and municipal zoning and signage rules before committing to a space

Estimates put startup costs typically around $8,000 to $40,000 CAD, depending on your rent and deposit, fit-out, sample library, software and insurance. Commercial rent is a fixed commitment, so a cash buffer is worth planning for.

Check how your province treats the title 'interior designer', and check building codes, accessibility rules and permits for commercial work. Also check your lease, municipal zoning and signage rules, insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $4,000 to $20,000 CAD, depending on project size and how many projects you run. Project income can be uneven. The time needed is estimated at around 30 hours a week or more.