Can this contract be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

Most interior decoration contracts do not require notarization or witnesses, but state or lender requirements can vary; use notarization or RON when title-related interests or court-proof are anticipated.

What happens if the client requests scope changes?

Require a written change order with updated scope, price, and schedule; proceed only after both parties sign the change order to avoid dispute about extra work or fees.

How to handle missed payments?

Follow contract remedies: issue written notice, apply late fees per the agreement, and consider stopping work after a defined cure period; document all communications for collections or lien rights.

Who owns the design deliverables?

Ownership depends on the contract clause: specify whether you grant a license or assign copyrights. If transfer is intended, use explicit IP assignment language to avoid future disputes.

How long should I keep the signed contract?

Retain the signed agreement for at least 3 years after completion for tax and audit purposes; retain 6 years if healthcare records are involved (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Interior Decoration Contract

Interior Decoration Contract

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

INTERIOR DECORATION CONTRACT

Parties

Client Name:

Client Address

Designer Name:

Designer Address Designer Entity Type (select all that apply)

Individual LLC Corporation

Recitals

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Designer to provide interior decoration and related design services for the property located at Project Address: (the "Project"); and

WHEREAS, Designer represents that Designer has the skill, experience and professional capability to perform the services described in this Contract; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their entire agreement with respect to the Project and the services to be provided.

Scope of Work

Designer shall provide interior decoration services including, but not limited to: concept development, space planning, furniture selection, finishes and materials selection, lighting design, procurement of furnishings, coordination with suppliers and installers, and on-site supervision as required to complete the Project in accordance with the terms of this Contract. All services to be performed under this Contract shall be set out with reasonable detail in the project work orders, proposals, or change orders executed by the parties.

Detailed Scope, Deliverables, and Milestones

Payment Terms

Total Contract Price: $ payable in accordance with the schedule below.

Payment Schedule

Deposit Amount: $ due upon execution of this Contract.

Balance Due Date: unless otherwise specified in an executed payment schedule.

Late Fee: Past due amounts shall incur a late fee of per month (or the maximum lawful rate if less) plus any collection costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Designer.

Change Orders and Additional Work

Any material change to the Scope of Work, including additional selections, site visits beyond those included in the Scope, or changes required by Client, shall be authorized in a written change order signed by both parties. Additional services will be billed at the hourly rate of $ per hour or at a mutually agreed lump sum.

Term and Termination

Commencement Date: . Anticipated Completion Date: . Time is an estimate and subject to change for causes beyond Designer's control.

Either party may terminate this Contract for material breach by the other party if the breach is not cured within days after written notice. Upon termination, Designer shall be compensated for all services performed and costs incurred through the effective date of termination, including reasonable demobilization costs and non-refundable vendor charges.

Confidentiality

Each party acknowledges that, in the course of performance, it may receive or have access to confidential information of the other party. Confidential Information means any non-public information disclosed in written, oral or electronic form that is identified as confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential. Each party agrees to hold Confidential Information in strict confidence and not to use or disclose it except to perform this Contract or as required by law. Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination or expiration of this Contract for a period of three (3) years.

Intellectual Property; Use of Images

Designer retains ownership of all design concepts, drawings, specifications, and other documentation produced in connection with the Project, subject to Client's payment in full. Upon full payment, Client is granted a non-exclusive license to use deliverables for the Project premises. Designer may use photographs and descriptions of the completed Project for promotional and portfolio purposes unless Client checks the box below to prohibit such use.
Client prohibits publication of Project images by Designer

Liability; Insurance

Designer shall maintain commercially reasonable insurance for the performance of services hereunder. Except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, Designer's total liability to Client for any claim arising out of or related to this Contract shall not exceed the total amount paid to Designer under this Contract. In no event shall Designer be liable for consequential, incidental, or punitive damages.

Delay; Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or defaults caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, shortages, restrictions, transportation delays, governmental actions, or supplier failures. The time for performance shall be extended by the period of such delay.

Governing Law; Dispute Resolution

This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties agree to first attempt to resolve disputes by good faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted in the county where the Project is located, in accordance with the rules selected by the arbitrator, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Contract, together with any written attachments and executed change orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. No amendment or modification to this Contract shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by both parties.

Notices

Any notice required or permitted under this Contract shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above or to such other address as either party may designate in writing. Notices shall be deemed given upon personal delivery, or three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail with first-class postage prepaid.

Acknowledgements

Client acknowledges that selections are subject to availability and that certain items may have extended lead times. Client authorizes Designer to place orders for furnishings, fixtures, and equipment as directed by Client and to make reasonable substitutions when necessary, provided Designer notifies Client of material substitutions.

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Designer

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What an Interior Decoration Contract Covers

An Interior Decoration Contract is a written agreement that defines the relationship between a designer and a client for decorating services, including scope, schedule, materials, fees, and responsibilities. It documents deliverables such as concept design, procurement, installation, and warranties, and sets terms for changes, approvals, and dispute resolution. Clear contracts reduce misunderstandings on pricing, timelines, and ownership of design work, and provide evidence for enforcement, insurance claims, or lender requirements when projects involve financed improvements.

Why a Written Contract Matters for Decoration Projects

A clear contract allocates risk, records agreed deliverables and payment terms, and supports timely dispute resolution; it also helps satisfy licensing, lending, and insurance requirements while creating a clear basis for invoicing and change orders.

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Contract

Use the document to align expectations before work begins and to document approvals, payments, and any subsequent change orders.

Independent designers and decorating firms who provide concept, procurement, and installation services for residential and commercial clients.
Homeowners and landlords commissioning aesthetic upgrades, finishes, or staged properties for sale or lease.
General contractors and subcontractors coordinating decoration as part of a broader remodel or build-out.

Step-by-step: Completing the Interior Decoration Contract

Follow these core steps to prepare a usable, enforceable contract that protects both parties and speeds project delivery.

01

Identify Parties: Enter full legal names and entity types for client and designer.
02

Define Scope: List deliverables, exclusions, and milestones with reasonable detail.
03

Set Payments: Specify fees, deposit, progress payments, and late-payment terms.
04

Sign & Date: All parties sign, date, and initial change-order provisions.

Core Clauses to Include in Every Interior Decoration Contract

A professional contract groups obligations, timelines, payments, and protections into clear sections so both parties understand risks and remedies.

Parties & Contacts

Identify the client and service provider, billing contact, project address, and emergency contact information to ensure effective communication and invoicing.

Deliverables & Schedule

Describe specific design deliverables, procurement responsibilities, installation timing, and milestone dates, with acceptance criteria for completed work.

Payment Terms

Set total fee, deposit, progress payments, invoicing schedule, late fees, and consequences for nonpayment to maintain cash flow and clarity.

Change Orders

Require written change orders for scope or price modifications, state approval process, and any associated adjustment to schedule or fees.

Ownership & IP

Clarify ownership of design drawings, images, and whether the client receives license or assignment; specify permitted reuse and attribution.

Termination & Remedies

Define termination rights, cure periods, refund or retention rules, and dispute resolution method such as mediation or arbitration.

Essential Compliance and Security Details to Record

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Access Controls: Role-based permissions and audit logging

Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, and signer attribution

HIPAA BAA: BAA required for protected health information

Retention: Preserve signed copies and metadata

Backups: Encrypted backups with redundancy

Typical routing: From draft to signed file

This high-level flow describes how the contract moves from preparation to execution and storage.

Prepare Draft: Upload contract, attach scopes and exhibits.
Place Fields: Add signatures, initials, dates, and conditional fields.
Send for Signature: Invite signers by email or share secure link.
Store Final: Save signed PDF with audit trail and distribute copies.

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

Key workflow settings improve security and reduce signing friction for clients and vendors.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Method	Email link, SMS code, or KBA depending on risk
Conditional Fields	Show fields only when options or checkboxes apply
Templates	Use templates for repeatable project contracts
Reminders	Automated email reminders for unsigned parties

Digital signing and file-format considerations

Ensure the chosen provider meets your security, retention, and integration needs before relying on e-signatures for execution.

File Types: PDF, DOCX, and image formats supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
Authentication: Email, SMS, SSO, or advanced verification

Common timing elements to include and monitor

Define milestone dates and client response windows to keep projects on schedule and reduce disputes.

Design Delivery Date:

Date by which initial concepts or drawings must be delivered

Client Review Period:

Number of days client has to approve or request changes

Installation Window:

Start and end dates or a delivery schedule

Payment Due Dates:

Dates for deposits, progress payments, and final balance

Warranty Period:

Duration of workmanship or materials warranty

Common mistakes that delay or invalidate contracts

Vague scope descriptions that omit exclusions or allowances cause scope creep and billing disputes between parties.
Using mismatched names or corporate entities on invoices and the contract makes enforcement and payment collection difficult.
Failing to document change orders in writing leads to disagreements about additional fees and schedule impacts.
Skipping explicit payment milestones or late-fee terms often results in delayed payments and strained client relationships.

Risks and consequences of incomplete or incorrect contracts

Breach Liability: Exposure to damages and loss recovery

Delay Damages: Liquidated damages or reputational cost

Nonpayment Risk: Collection costs and interest accrual

Invalid Signature: Enforceability challenges without proof

Tax Consequences: Incorrect reporting or backup withholding

Intellectual Property: Unclear ownership leads to reuse disputes

eSignature pricing and feature snapshot for contract execution

Compare starting price and basic capabilities across vendors; signNow is listed first for column consistency.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies	Varies
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about Interior Decoration Contracts

Answers to common legal, signing, and storage questions when preparing and executing a decoration agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Can this contract be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.
Do I need a notary or witnesses?
Most interior decoration contracts do not require notarization or witnesses, but state or lender requirements can vary; use notarization or RON when title-related interests or court-proof are anticipated.
What happens if the client requests scope changes?
Require a written change order with updated scope, price, and schedule; proceed only after both parties sign the change order to avoid dispute about extra work or fees.
How to handle missed payments?
Follow contract remedies: issue written notice, apply late fees per the agreement, and consider stopping work after a defined cure period; document all communications for collections or lien rights.
Who owns the design deliverables?
Ownership depends on the contract clause: specify whether you grant a license or assign copyrights. If transfer is intended, use explicit IP assignment language to avoid future disputes.
How long should I keep the signed contract?
Retain the signed agreement for at least 3 years after completion for tax and audit purposes; retain 6 years if healthcare records are involved (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now