Spec-Only Projects: Should Designers Consider This Revenue Stream?

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Not every client wants—or needs—full-service design. Some have their own contractors. Some love the control and extended timeline associated with managing a project themselves. Others simply want a clear, elevated plan and the freedom to execute it on their own terms. As a designer, you could offer spec-only projects to these clients.

Short for specification-only, this approach allows interior designers to offer curated, professional design plans—without handling procurement, project management, or installation. It’s essentially design work distilled down: the creative vision, the selections, the layout, the palette. This is delivered beautifully and clearly, then handed off.

As more clients become confident, design-literate, and project-involved (with access to AR and AI tools), this kind of service has increased in demand. Spec-only work meets a growing desire for flexibility while giving designers a way to expand their offerings, protect their bandwidth, and create new revenue streams—without the logistical overhead of full-service execution.

In other words, this approach to certain projects can be smart, strategic, and scalable. It might help your studio diversify when you need additional revenue streams and it’s great for solopreneurs who can’t always take huge renovation or full-scale design projects.

What Is a Spec-Only Project?

A spec-only project is a streamlined design service where the designer provides a full set of specifications—but doesn’t oversee purchasing, project management, or installation. You’re creating the vision: floor plans, furniture layouts, finishes, materials, paint colors, fixtures, fabric selections. You provide complete creative direction, clearly documented and beautifully presented, then hand the project off to the client to implement at their own pace.

You might also hear these referred to as design-only, concept-only, or consulting projects. Execution is left in the client’s hands.

Who This Is For

Spec-only projects are ideal for design-savvy clients who want a professional eye but prefer to manage the process themselves. It’s also a great solution for long-distance projects, where in-person site visits aren’t practical, or for budget-conscious clients who can’t invest in full-service design but still want a cohesive, elevated result.

Clients who want to phase a project—doing one room at a time or sourcing pieces slowly—also benefit. They get the master plan now and the flexibility to build it out over time.

What It’s Not

Spec-only isn’t a substitute for full-service design. You’re not managing contractors, ordering product, troubleshooting lead times, or styling on site. There’s no install day. There’s no punch list.

That distinction is key—because the boundaries of your involvement should be crystal clear from day one. It’s how you protect your time, your process, and your profitability.

What’s Included (and What’s Not)

Spec-only work is all about clarity—both in what you deliver and in what you intentionally do not. Your goal is to provide a polished, fully thought-out design plan that your client can confidently execute, either on their own or with a separate project team. This is your product, and it should reflect the same level of design thinking and presentation as your full-service work.

What’s not included? Anything related to execution, installation, or vendor management. Drawing that line early protects your process and ensures your client understands the scope of the engagement.

Deliverables Might Include

• Moodboards or concept boards
• Floor plans and elevations
• Furniture and lighting schedules
• Source links or curated product lists
• Paint colors, finish specifications, and fabric swatches
• Notes or alternates for flexibility in case of backorders or substitutions

Each of these items should be clearly formatted and branded—this is your leave-behind, and it needs to feel comprehensive and easy for the client (or their contractor) to follow.

Exclusions

• Procurement (you’re not placing orders or managing vendors)
• Installation oversight or styling
• Communication with contractors or trades
• Unlimited revisions (always cap and clearly define them)

Setting expectations from the beginning—and sticking to them—is essential for making spec-only projects work smoothly for both parties.

How to Structure the Offer

The key to a successful spec-only project is structure. Because you’re handing off the design, not the execution, everything you deliver must be clean, comprehensive, and client-ready. This means clear timelines, clear communication, and clear boundaries.

Flat Fee vs Hourly

For spec-only work, a flat fee is often the better route. It gives the client predictability and lets you define the scope upfront. Hourly billing can work, especially for smaller or consulting-based engagements, but it can make boundaries harder to enforce and value harder to communicate. If you do bill hourly, always provide an estimate and a cap.

Set Expectations Early

Outline how long the design phase will take, how many rounds of revisions are included, and what kind of communication is expected (and when). Are you available for follow-up questions? Will you offer one post-delivery check-in? Define it now to avoid scope creep later.

Emphasize Documentation

Your deliverables are your product. Organize them beautifully—whether it’s a digital PDF, a shared folder, or printed materials in a branded envelope. The presentation should feel elevated and complete, not like a draft waiting for discussion.

Always Use a Contract

Even for smaller projects, a contract is essential. It should outline your responsibilities, the timeline, revision policy, fee structure, and most importantly—where your role ends. This protects your time, your intellectual property, and your client relationship.

Should You Do Spec-Only at Your Studio?

The Pros of Spec-Only Work

There’s a certain lightness to spec-only work. Without the layers of project management, contractor coordination, and all the inevitable site snafus, you’re left with more room to stretch creatively. It’s the design equivalent of staying in your zone of genius—dreaming, sourcing, storytelling through materials—without having to babysit the build.

The beauty of it is that location can be (but isn’t always) irrelevant. Whether your client is across the country or tucked into a coastal cottage three time zones away, spec work allows you to collaborate without the logistics of boots on the ground. It opens up your studio to a wider net of people.

Spec-only can also help during slower seasons. Those in-between months when you’re wrapping up a large project or waiting for one to kick off can be a prime time to take on smaller, spec-driven packages. It keeps your creative energy flowing, your pipeline warm, and your portfolio fresh.

The Cons of Spec-Only Work

However, let’s not pretend it’s all smooth sailing. With spec-only projects, you’re handing over the blueprint and stepping back. That means less control over how your vision is brought to life. And depending on how involved the client or their contractor is, the final result might drift further than you’d like from your original intention.

Worse, if something does go sideways during execution—say, a vendor misses a spec or a contractor goes rogue—it’s easy for the client to come knocking at your door even if it wasn’t your mistake. That blurred line of responsibility can be frustrating, especially when you’re not on-site to advocate for the details.

There’s also the emotional side. Without the transformation moment—the big reveal, the styled shots, the client tears—it can be hard to feel that same sense of completion. And clients might underestimate the value of what they received, assuming it’s “just a plan” rather than recognizing it as the strategic, expert-level service it is. That’s why how you package and present spec-only work matters immensely. It’s not just what’s in the PDF—it’s how it feels to receive it.

Making Spec-Only Projects Truly Work

Start by thinking of your spec package as a showcase. This is your brand in document form—your aesthetic, your process, your voice, all buttoned up in one clean, compelling deliverable. It should feel like a design magazine meets a high-touch client experience. Visuals polished. Notes clear. Selections smart and intentional.

To elevate the offering, layer in optional support. Maybe it’s a sourcing session to fine-tune details. Maybe it’s an install-day consult to ensure the vision comes to life as intended. These a la carte services can increase your revenue and also create a bridge for continued client support without the weight of full project management.

Remember, context is everything. You might know exactly how that custom tile should align or why that sconce was chosen for that wall, but your client (or their contractor) might not. Include notes, explanations, even backup options if you’re feeling generous. It adds depth and makes the package feel comprehensive.

Above all: don’t frame spec-only as a “lite” version of your work. It’s not a discount. It’s a different door into your design world—just as considered, just as refined. Clients should feel like they’re still getting the full experience, just in a format that suits their needs and lifestyle.

When to Offer Spec-Only (And When to Hold Back)

Spec-only work is perfect for second homes, smaller spaces, or clients updating one room at a time. It works well for past clients who already trust your style and just want guidance on their next phase—maybe a nursery, a guest room, or a new kitchen finish scheme. It’s also a smart fit for remote clients who admire your work but can’t engage you for a full-service rollout.

That said, trust your gut. If a client seems foggy about what they want—or changes direction every time you meet—that’s a red flag. Without strong decision-making on their end, a spec-only project will quickly unravel.

Likewise, if the scope is highly complex (think architectural shifts or large-scale renovations), full-service is a better path. And if you sense the client expects the moon but is only signing up for a few stars, be cautious. That misalignment will cause more headaches than it’s worth. Respect your own boundaries, and don’t be afraid to draw the line.

Final Thoughts on Spec-Only Projects

Spec-only design isn’t a lesser version of your services. It allows you to serve clients who admire your vision but don’t need full execution. It opens the door to remote projects and alternative revenue streams. And it protects your time while still keeping you creative and engaged.

When structured with intention and delivered with polish, spec-only work becomes more than a line item on your service menu—it becomes a versatile tool for building a flexible, sustainable design business. And for many designers, it’s exactly what’s needed to balance creativity, autonomy, and growth.

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