Pros
1. Extremely high autonomy in how you run your projects
You are trusted to manage your own clients, design direction, timeline, and workflow. There is very little micromanagement, which allows designers to fully express their design style and handle projects in a way that suits them best.
2. Direct ownership of clients from sales to handover
Unlike firms where designers only handle design or only handle sales, you oversee the entire journey — from first consultation to final defects. This gives a very strong sense of ownership and real project experience.
3. Commission structure rewards performance properly
Income is directly tied to how much effort and quality you put into your projects. High performers are not capped, and designers who are driven can scale their income significantly.
4. Strong exposure to real site work and contractor coordination
You don’t just design — you learn how renovation truly works on the ground. You gain practical knowledge in carpentry, tiling, electrical, permits, rectifications, and problem-solving on site, which is invaluable for long-term growth as a designer.
Cons
As the commission structure is performance-based, there is no fixed comfort zone. Designers need to be proactive in finding leads, managing clients well, and maintaining momentum to see strong earnings.