Tariff Talk: How to Prep Your Interior Design Clients for Extra Fees Like a Pro

How to Chat About Extra Fees Without Losing Clients

Let’s be real: talking money isn’t why you got into design. You wanted to create beautiful spaces, not explain why that perfect sofa suddenly costs $1,500 more. But here we are, living in a world of international tariffs and fluctuating vendor pricing.

At Daniel House Club, we know this topic makes designers sweat. That’s why we brought in the big brains, Nancy Quinn and Lesley Myrick, to help us decode how to handle these convos with grace and confidence. 

Start the Tariff Talk Early (and Often)
No one likes financial surprises, especially your clients. Lesley reminded us that interior design is a luxury service, and tariffs are just part of the game. Get ahead of it. Bake tariff notifications into your proposals, invoices, and contracts. Nancy suggests a friendly heads-up email to prep clients for potential import fees.

Don’t Absorb the Cost, Explain It
Designers are middlemen, not martyrs. While it might be tempting to eat the cost to keep the peace, Nancy urges you to resist. “Kindness is setting expectations,” she says, not saying yes to expenses that aren’t yours.

Build a Reputation Fund
Things happen. Clients push back. A “whoops” moment occurs. Lesley swears by putting 1% of your profits into a separate fund ready for those tricky situations where preserving your reputation matters more than winning a fight.

Keep Calm and Communicate
It's not complicated, it just takes confidence. Be consistent in how you handle tariffs. Make a plan, stick to it, and most importantly, don’t let the drama get to you.

Want more help with scripts, policies, and best practices? You’ve got the talent—let us help with the tough convos.