Dear Dakota,

What should I do when an interior design client won’t pay?

When a Client Won’t Pay: How to Handle Non-Payment & Protect Your Business

There’s nothing worse than chasing a client for payment after you’ve poured hours into their project. Suddenly, you’re not just an interior designer—you’re a collections agency, too.

But before you assume the worst, it’s important to understand why a client may not be paying—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Inside this post, I’m breaking down:

• The most common reasons clients delay or refuse payment

• Proactive strategies to avoid non-payment before a project even starts

• How to structure contracts, invoices, and payment schedules so you never have to chase a client down again

• What to do when a client refuses to pay, including the steps to take before resorting to legal action

This is a must-read for any designer who wants to protect their revenue, set firm payment policies, and confidently discuss money with clients—without the awkwardness or stress.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How do I handle hourly clients who keep adding to their projects? The additional requests are hard to keep track of and I feel like I’m never able to complete a project because there are so many little things that are always open. HELP!

If you’ve ever had a client start with one room, then slowly add "just a few more things"—a light fixture here, a paint color there—until you feel like you're stuck in an endless cycle of selections, this post is for you.

Scope creep can derail your process, push your workload over capacity, and train clients to expect on-demand access to your expertise. So how do you manage additional requests while maintaining a clear process, ensuring profitability, and keeping your projects on track?

Inside this post, I’m sharing:

• How to set scope boundaries from the start—even as an hourly designer

• The red flag moment when a new request should become a new project

• Why "just saying yes" leads to burnout and client dissatisfaction

• How top designers structure their process to keep projects moving

If managing client expectations feels like a constant struggle, don’t miss this one.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

When Should Clients Hire an Interior Designer? Here’s How to Set Expectations

If you’re getting inquiries from potential clients who expect their project to be completed within weeks of reaching out, you’re not alone. Most people don’t realize how long the interior design process actually takes—and it’s your job as the expert to educate them.

This post walks you through simple ways to set clear expectations around project timelines so clients reach out before they’re in a rush (and before you have to turn them away!).

Inside The DTS Files, you’ll find:

• Done-for-you language for your website, contact form, and marketing to clearly communicate availability.

• The best FAQ questions to include on your site so clients come in informed.

• A client waitlist strategy to stop losing leads when your schedule is full (and get them to happily book for a later date).

• How to position your process as high-touch and premium, so clients see the value in planning ahead.

If you’re tired of last-minute inquiries and want clients to reach out earlier, join The DTS Files to unlock this post and get the scripts and strategies to set expectations with ease.

Dear Dakota,

What do you do when someone tries to negotiate your fees? Do you run away from the client? What’s the best way to explain the cost and your worth?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How to respond when a potential client or existing client asks, “Will you share your discount?”

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights AND learn how to stop this from happening.

Dear Dakota,

How do you handle clients who refuse to give you a budget, despite explanations and an initial design presentation?

This week’s Dear Dakota question comes from an interior designer who’s struggling to get a budget from clients—even after the initial design presentation. Talk about frustrating!!!!!!!

If you’ve ever felt stuck in this situation, you’re not alone. Budget conversations can be tricky for a lot of the interior designers I talk to.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How To Identify Red Flag Clients (vs. clients you just don’t want to work with)?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights. There IS a big difference between the two.