Why we do not charge commissions on supplies
In many projects the most substantial part of a studio’s financial return does not come from professional fees, but from the margin retained on supplies. On the surface the consultancy appears to have a contained cost, while an additional share, often in the region of 10–15% on every order, is absorbed into the prices of furniture and materials. The result is an overall investment higher than it may appear at first glance, driven by dynamics that are rarely explained clearly to the client. For us this approach does not work: anyone relying on our studio must be able to trust that every decision, including the financial ones, is made in their interest.
The fee as the studio's sole compensation
Our only remuneration is the fee agreed at the quotation stage. There are no additional margins linked to supplies, nor side payments from companies, showrooms or craftspeople. If a client asks what our overall financial return is, the answer is simple: it coincides with the fee defined in the quotation and set out in the contract. In return, the client benefits from better financial conditions than those typically associated with commission-based models, and this advantage is verifiable.
Trade discounts passed to the client
We work with suppliers under professional terms that an end client, acting alone, cannot usually obtain:
- trade discounts on list prices reserved for studios, particularly when we purchase directly from the company and not through shops or agents;
- special conditions on production times and methods, especially in the case of complex projects or large-scale supplies;
- a different negotiating position, linked to the number of projects we manage and the visibility of our work (publications, network of contacts, continuity over time).
These advantages do not become an extra margin for the studio, but are passed on entirely to the client. In our quotations we always indicate the list price, the discount applied and the net price reserved for the client, so that every step remains legible from beginning to end. Depending on the type of product and the volume of orders, the saving compared to a purchase managed independently can typically range between 10% and 25%, and the client is free to compare these conditions with other offers.
Invoices and payments
For supplies we follow a set of simple and rigorous rules:
- invoices are issued directly by suppliers in the client’s name;
- payments are made by the client to the supplier, without intermediate steps through the studio’s accounts;
- the studio does not resell products and does not issue resale invoices.
This choice avoids double accounting steps and re-invoicing costs, reduces any ambiguity around financial flows and simplifies administration for both parties, in harmony with our payment structure. For residential projects and small to medium-scale work, it is the simplest and most practical model.
Working tools for financial transparency
Transparency is also built into our day-to-day working tools. We use a shared budget file that lists all supplies with their updated net prices, so that the financial framework is always easy to read. Alongside this we maintain a dedicated folder for quotations, where for each item we keep the complete document with list price, discount applied, payment terms and operational notes, ensuring that every step is recorded. The client has constant access to these materials and can consult them at any time. This system reduces misunderstandings and disputes over costs: every line can be checked from the outset and is clearly positioned within the overall budget.
Zero conflict of interest
In our sector it is common for suppliers and brands to offer bonuses, incentives or kickbacks to studios. The discounts we obtain in negotiation are passed on in full to the client, without retaining hidden percentages. Any unexpected financial benefit is returned or turned into an additional advantage for the client, so that the situation remains transparent for everyone involved. Supplier selection follows criteria that are independent of any financial return: we prioritise product quality, reliability over time, seriousness in after-sales service and coherence with the project. Supply management follows these same criteria. This allows us, in the event of a problem, to stand unreservedly on the side of the people who will live there, without having to balance conflicting interests between client and supplier.
How this compares with commission-based models
Compared to common habits in the sector, we work with a different model:
- no hidden commissions that progressively erode the initial discount promised to the client;
- no mechanisms designed to push spending upwards in order to increase the studio’s margin;
- no unnecessary invoicing loops that inflate costs without adding value.
We work differently. The numbers are readable, the responsibilities defined, the decisions traceable.
Who this approach works for
This approach also defines the kind of client we tend to work best with. It is ideal for those who want access to the figures without having to manage every detail themselves, for those who prefer to delegate knowing that there are no hidden interests, and for those who have already experienced a lack of clarity elsewhere and want a financial picture they can actually read. The contract includes a clause prohibiting the studio from receiving commissions on supplies. At the same time, we know we are not the right studio for those who treat the lowest price as the only decision-making criterion, for those who use our work as a starting point and then turn elsewhere solely to obtain more aggressive conditions, or for those who expect the same discounts as commission-based models while asking for a fee aligned with those who deliberately renounce such margins. The terms need to work for all parties: client, studio and suppliers.
How this works in practice
When the financial picture is clear, the conversation stays on what matters: the project and the result. The client knows what they are spending and why. The studio knows the client can check every line. That reduces suspicion, misunderstanding and late surprises.
