The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability (Hardcover)

by Mary V. Knackstedt (Author) "Interior design is a profession, a career, a vocation, and a lifestyle..." (more)
Key Phrases: invoice within ten days, interior design field, contract administration phase, New York, Design Business Monthly, Cost of the Work (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Discover how you can run the practical side of your practice more profitably. This comprehensive guide to managing an interior design business gives you an arsenal of proven procedures and practical tools and techniques perfected over the course of some thirty years. New to this edition are sections on establishing an electronic office, the pros and cons of working alone and creating partnerships, hiring and working with off-site employees, and more. It also includes more than fifty sample forms and letters, such as an existing conditions survey and a letter of transmittal, that can easily be adapted to your own uses.

From the Inside Flap
It is imperative that interior design firms maintain a solid business structure to permit them to work in a profitable way. Although the creative part of your business and administration often seem to require different talents, this book can help you realize how one can complement the other. All successful businesses must constantly redesign themselves to fit the market of the day.

For over a decade, The Interior Design Business Handbook has helped firm owners manage their operations successfully. Now in its Third Edition, this book’s accessible, practical guidance has been brought up to date to address the latest trends and challenges in the field. This Third Edition outlines every component of managing a firm, from choosing a location and administering daily operations to putting it up for sale. Included are innovative ideas for attracting and keeping clients, building a team of staff and consultants, mastering financial management, working with outside sources and contractors, and, most importantly, achieving professional growth. Techniques and practices used by leading firms have been meticulously researched and detailed here, such as tips for equipping your office to be Internet-friendly and strategies for establishing service value in today’s economy.

Supplemented with more than 50 sample forms and letters–including a prospective client report form, a design service outline, an existing conditions survey, and many more–this book is an essential reference for seasoned interior designers and those starting their own firms.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (December 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471412325
• ISBN-13: 978-0471412328
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #443,362 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Title should be revised, October 2, 2008

By	R. Narita "Citroen" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This may be useful to students or someone who is a freelancer. The book really lacks detail. It provides information but right when you need more info, it stops. So I would suggest the book to be renamed "Introduction to Interior Design Business". That's more accurate.

9 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive!, December 19, 2001

By	James R, Smith Jr. (New York City) - See all my reviews

Found this new Knackstedt book to be just as informative as all of her others. Would recomend this book to any one in the design industry. Happy Learning! J.