The Legal Side of Coordinating Trades: 5 Must-Haves for Interior Designers

If you’re an interior designer or decorator coordinating painters, electricians, cabinetmakers or other trades, do you know what you’re actually taking responsibility for legally — and are you charging properly for it?After getting updated legal advice from Australian legal counsel Sprintlaw, I’m sharing five legal must-haves for coordinating trades, including how my own NSW business can stay closely involved in trade coordination even when the client contracts with and pays those trades directly.We’ll cover the real work involved in managing painters, electricians and cabinetmakers, why handing trade management back to the client can create chaos, and why client-direct trade payments do not mean your coordination should be free.Plus, I explain how I structure my implementation fee and why every designer should get their own legal advice on how to coordinate — and be compensated for coordinating — trades where they operate.Free Solo Designer Profit Guide: turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideWondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at [email protected]