What sourcing services cost — fee, markup, or both

You've just met with an interior designer who'll source your new lounge furniture and finishes. She quoted you a fee, then mentioned something about "normal trade markups". Another designer simply gave you a total price. Neither explained what you're actually paying for, and you're unsure whether their quotes are even comparable.

Sourcing isn't a flat-fee service. Most designers combine at least two cost layers—and the mix changes how you pay, what you control, and what you might overpay for. Understanding the difference stops you from comparing apples to oranges and from accidentally funding a designer's margin instead of your room.

The two-part cost model: fees and product markup

Most sourcing services charge a fee for the designer's time and expertise, then layer in a markup on the actual furniture and finishes she buys on your behalf. The fee covers her time to understand your brief, research options, attend quotes, negotiate with suppliers, and manage the project. The markup is her profit on the goods themselves—she buys a sofa wholesale for R8,000 and sells it to you at R10,000, pocketing the difference.

Neither cost is "hidden" in principle, but many quotes obscure how much of your total spend is which. A designer might quote you "R85,000 for your lounge," leaving you to guess whether that's a flat fee plus markup, markup only, or something in between. Ask explicitly: is there a separate designer fee, or does she only make money on the markup? If both exist, what's each one? A quote that avoids this clarity often means the designer hasn't thought clearly about her own pricing—or she's hoping you won't.

The risk with markup-only models is cost creep. If a designer earns a percentage on every item, she has a financial incentive to recommend more expensive options or more items than your brief strictly needs. That doesn't mean she will, but it's a conflict of interest. Some designers offset this by charging an upfront fee instead of or in addition to markup, which aligns her incentive with your budget. Others cap their markup percentage or charge a flat fee plus a modest markup to keep both models in play.

What cheap quotes often skip

A suspiciously low sourcing quote almost always leaves something out. The designer might not be visiting showrooms or negotiating with suppliers—she's ordering from her usual channels and hoping you don't notice she picked the fastest option, not the best one. She might not be project-managing the delivery and installation, meaning you coordinate returns, defects, and placement yourself. She might be sourcing from retail suppliers only, skipping the trade showrooms where volume discounts and exclusive pieces live.

Other quotes skip contingency. Furniture is often made to order; lead times shift, items go out of stock, and prices rise between quote and delivery. A designer's quote that doesn't account for these realities can blow out dramatically once orders are placed. Some designers buffer this by padding the quote; others absorb the risk themselves but then rush you into confirming orders before researching fully.

The cheapest quote may also assume you're buying everything new. If you're incorporating existing pieces or hunting second-hand finds, that requires different sourcing skills—and a different fee structure. A designer charging a flat percent markup on everything works against bringing in a low-cost item you already own or a bargain vintage piece.

Before you compare quotes, ask what each one includes. Is there a site visit? Will the designer visit suppliers in person or just order online? Who arranges delivery and installation? What happens if an item is damaged or delayed? Does the quote lock in prices or adjust if suppliers raise them before purchase? Are trade discounts captured for you, or does the designer pocket them? What's the timeline, and is there a contingency buffer built in?

Once you know the structure and what each quote actually covers, you can see which designer is genuinely solving your problem and which is just offering the lowest number. Finding a sourcing partner who's transparent about how they make money is the fastest way to avoid overpaying—and to get a space that reflects your brief, not their margin. You'll find designers who work this way openly on Strove, with reviews from past clients who can confirm what sourcing actually delivered.