Most interior designers charge $20,000+. Their fee is a fraction of that.

Interior designers usually cost a fortune, but they don’t need to. Check out how Cody Caswell and his wife, Sarah, design homes for a fraction of the usual fee at REI Studio.

Q: When did you realize that traditional designers don’t work for flips? “Investors started calling us and asking, ‘Hey, would you design my flip?’ We said, ‘Absolutely!’ But we had no idea what to charge. As we researched how interior designers typically charge, we realized that the traditional model was broken for real estate investors. Most designers bill hourly, which makes it impossible for flippers to project costs. It’s also too slow. In flipping, time is money; you can’t afford to wait weeks for design decisions. We saw an opportunity to create a design model built for investors.”

Q: How is your approach different? “Our system solves investors’ pain points with flat-rate pricing of $1.75 per square foot. We finish a three-bedroom, two-bath project in 14 days. Since we’re investors, we understand how to transform projects into market-ready homes without the stress, delays, or unpredictable costs of a traditional designer.”

Q: What are your go-to design moves? “For every dollar we put in, we try to get $1.50 out by focusing on high-impact areas like the kitchen and primary bathroom, and any materials you touch. Think water faucets, doorknobs, cabinet hardware, and flooring. Even if it looks beautiful, if it feels cheap, people won’t buy it. We’re also seeing a lot more interest in moody colors like maroon, deeply veined marble like Calcutta Viola, and millwork and wainscoting on walls.”

Q: Got any advice for homeowners who want a designer without the high price tag? “Homeowners can cut costs by hiring a virtual designer. All our design work is done virtually; 3D imaging allows you to be on site without being on site. Designers can really do anything from anywhere and save a lot of money in the process.”