169. Let's Talk About Stop Giving Away Design: 12 Things You’re Doing for Free That You Should Charge For

Send us Fan MailIf you have ever looked up at the end of a project and wondered, “Where did my time go?”, this episode is for you. Laura breaks down 12 common profit leaks that quietly drain revenue in interior design businesses, often disguised as “good service” or “just being helpful.” From extra meetings and endless revisions to showroom visits, rush timelines, and unpaid install days, Laura shows you exactly where designers unintentionally work for free, and how to set boundaries that protect both your time and your profit. The 12 Profit LeaksExtra meetings beyond what your package includesAdditional concept directions after one has been approvedRevisions that multiply without limits or structureRush timelines and last-minute changes without rush feesVendor research spirals and “can we find a cheaper option?” detoursShowroom visits that are not priced as premium timeExtra site visits outside your agreed cadenceTrade management for teams you did not hireInstall days that you do not bill properly (or at all)Budget reworks that require redesign after approvalsEmail and communication overload without response-time policiesProcurement handling like claims, damages, and backorders without compensation Pick one profit leak from the list and implement a policy for it this week. Then, add one new policy each month until you have addressed your biggest drains. Start with the top two or three areas where you know you are currently giving away time. Best Quote to Remember“Charging for your services is not greedy. It is how you stay in business.”Step-by-step guides, AI Chat GPT Made Simple and Claude Made Simple, start at the very beginning and then walk you through building your own role-based AI assistants, complete with prompts, checklists, and plug-and-play workflows you can implement immediately. Get both guides (and more designer resources) here: https://thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.com/designer-resourcesBe sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesLaura Thornton is the  principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON.  Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. The Business of Beautiful Spaces  I @thebusinessofbeautifulspacesThornton Design                                      I @thorntondesign