Download our free Interior Design Invoice Template - New Zealand to streamline your billing process. This professionally designed template includes all essential fields for interior designers operating in New Zealand, featuring NZD currency formatting, GST calculations, and compliance with local invoicing requirements. Perfect for residential and commercial interior design projects, space planning services, and design consultations. Save time with our ready-to-use template that ensures accurate invoicing for your interior design business.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, GST at 15% applies to interior design services in New Zealand, including design consultations, concept development, project management, and sourcing services. If your annual turnover exceeds NZ$60,000, you must register for GST and include it on all invoices. Even if below this threshold, you can register voluntarily. Clearly show GST as a separate line item on your invoice to ensure compliance with Inland Revenue requirements and avoid client confusion.
Yes, send a separate invoice for deposits or retainers to create a clear financial record and help clients understand they're paying in advance. Include a description like "50% deposit for residential design project" and reference the full project scope. When issuing your final invoice, note the deposit already received and calculate only the remaining balance. This approach simplifies accounting and reduces misunderstandings about payment status.
Both approaches work well in New Zealand design practices, though many designers use a hybrid model. Fixed project fees provide clients with budget certainty and are easier to quote upfront. Hourly rates suit consultations, revisions, and open-ended projects where scope isn't clearly defined. Your interior design invoice template should accommodate both methods—list project fees by deliverable or hourly services separately, depending on which approach aligns best with your business model.
Create separate line items for design services and material or furniture sourcing to maintain transparency. Show the cost and your markup clearly—some designers invoice sourcing as a percentage of materials (typically 15–25%), while others charge a fixed fee. Your interior design invoice should distinguish between labour (design time) and procurement costs. Document which items you're sourcing and ensure your markup terms were agreed upon before invoicing to avoid disputes.
Specify your revision policy on the initial invoice or proposal to set clear expectations upfront. Note something like "initial invoice covers two rounds of revisions." If further changes are requested, send a supplementary invoice clearly noting the revision date and scope. Price additional work using the same method as your original service—hourly or by deliverable type. This prevents disputes and ensures clients understand that extensive revisions beyond the original scope incur extra costs.
Interior design invoices typically use 7, 14, or 30-day payment terms depending on your client relationship and project scope. Residential clients often prefer 14 days, while commercial projects typically operate on 30-day terms. Specify your due date clearly on every invoice (for example, "Due: 14 days from invoice date"). For larger projects, consider requesting deposits upfront to manage cash flow. State your preferred payment methods—bank transfer is standard in New Zealand—with your bank details included.
Be specific enough for clients to understand exactly what they're paying for, but concise enough to keep the invoice readable. Use descriptions like "Living Room Design Concept—Mood Board and Furniture Plan" instead of vague entries like "design work." This clarity prevents billing disputes and aids resolution if questions arise. Your interior design invoice template should allow sufficient detail without overwhelming the page. Include project-specific information like room name or client reference to make each invoice uniquely identifiable.
Yes, treat these as distinct service offerings. Initial design consultations are typically charged as a one-time flat fee or hourly rate (often $200–$400+ per hour depending on your market). Full design projects include multiple deliverables like concepts, drawings, sourcing, and project management, using itemized project-based fees. Some designers credit the consultation fee toward the full project if the client proceeds. Your interior design invoice template should accommodate both consultation invoices and comprehensive project invoices.