**First ever interior design job as a 3rd year architecture student — how much should I charge? (Poland)**
Hey everyone, I just got my first real project and I have no idea how to price it, so I'm hoping someone can help.
I'm a third year architecture student in Poland and a friend connected me with a small bistro that needs some interior concept work done. They came to me specifically because I'm a student and they want an affordable price — which I'm fine with, but I also don't want to completely undersell myself.
Here's what the scope includes:
- Existing + proposed floor plan (2D technical drawings)
- Bar area redesign — this is the main focus, they want it more efficient and flexible. Includes technical/construction drawings for the builders
- New wall with large glass window/partition between kitchen and seating area (technical detail for builders)
- Seating area layout and furniture concept
- 2–3 x 3D visualizations
- 2 rounds of revisions
- WC area interior improvement
- lightning concept
- NOT doing the kitchen (new ventilation already installed)
The space I'm responsible for is roughly 35–45 m².
I was told a qualified local designer apparently charges around 100 PLN/m² in this area. I was thinking of charging around 50-70 PLN/m² as a student, which comes out to roughly 2,000 – 2,800 PLN total. Does that sound reasonable for Poland? Am I undercharging given that the scope includes full technical drawings, not just visuals?
Also, do I need a formal contract or is a written agreement over WhatsApp/email enough for something like this?
Any advice from people who've done commercial projects in Poland (or similar markets) would be really appreciated. Thanks!