What type of professional fee structure is best for ongoing work without a defined scope or timeline?

The hourly rate fee structure is particularly well-suited for ongoing work without a defined scope or timeline due to its flexibility. When a project lacks a clear end goal or specific deliverables, an hourly rate allows the interior designer to charge for the actual time spent on tasks as they evolve. This arrangement is beneficial in situations where the client may require ongoing adjustments, consultations, or incremental changes that are difficult to predict or estimate upfront.

This approach ensures that the designer is compensated fairly for the time and resources invested, regardless of how the project parameters shift over time. Clients appreciate the transparency of this fee structure, as they are billed based on the work actually performed, which can help manage expectations in situations where needs may change frequently—a common occurrence in ongoing assignments without a defined scope or timeline.

In contrast, other fee structures like percentage of project cost or area fee often require a defined project scope to estimate costs effectively, limiting their applicability in situations that are fluid and undefined. Cost plus models may also struggle with unforeseen adjustments, as they can complicate the billing process when an ongoing, adaptable approach is necessary.