What to Look for When Hiring a Interior Designer in NZ
- Portfolio matching your style preferences
- Clear fee structure (hourly, fixed, or percentage)
- 3D visualisation included
- Trade accounts for sourcing furniture/materials
- Coordination with contractors
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- No portfolio
- Vague fee structure
- Can't provide 3D visualisation
- No trade pricing access
Typical Costs Across NZ
Design fee: $100β$180/hr or 10β20% of project value. Full interior design project: $5,000β$30,000+ in fees
Costs vary significantly by city β Auckland and Queenstown are typically the most expensive, while Invercargill and Dunedin are among the most affordable.
Licensing Requirements
No mandatory licensing. Look for members of Spatial Design NZ or NZIA (for architects who do interiors). Check the register β