---
title: "What to Watch for in Interior Design Contracts"
description: "Must-check items when drafting accommodation interior contracts"
published: 2022-06-13T00:00:00+00:00
author: "ONDA 편집팀"
category: "Insights"
image: "https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9e11f64c82a297d16dbd6_62fefa52cb14bd84cb626dd6_henry-co-3coKbdfnAFg-unsplash.jpeg"
canonical: https://global.onda.me/en/blog?slug=interieo-gyeyag-si-yuyisahangeun
locale: en
---
# What to Watch for in Interior Design Contracts

### Attorney Song Ji-eun's Series on Hospitality Law

#### 07. **What to Watch for in Interior Design Contracts**

#### **Hospitality Legal Q&A Part 4**

##### Writer: Attorney Song Ji-eun

##### Editor: ONDA Manager Lee Chae-eun

**_"I hired a contractor to remodel the property — wanted to give guests better facilities. But after construction wrapped, what got delivered looked nothing like what we discussed. Found defects, too. How do I hold the contractor accountable? And how do I prevent this from happening next time?"_**

Renovating a property is practically inevitable — whether you're launching a new accommodation or already running one. Issues like the one above come up more often than they should. Lately, with raw material costs climbing, budget overruns and late-discovered defects have become even more common. That's why nailing the interior design contract **from the start** matters more than anything.

**So what should you focus on when signing an interior contract?**

### **1. Lock Down Start and Completion Dates**

**First: define clear start and completion dates.** Your property can't operate until construction is done, so delays directly translate to lost revenue. To protect yourself, **include a liquidated damages clause** — a daily penalty if the contractor misses the completion deadline.

### **2. Split Payments — and Keep Retention High**

**Never pay the full contract amount upfront.** Interior contracts typically break payments into deposit, progress payment, and final payment. **Keep at least 50% as the final payment.** Contractors will push for bigger upfront deposits or progress payments, but retention is your leverage. Final payment releases only after you've confirmed quality work — which means contractors have real incentive to finish properly. The higher the retention, the better your outcome.

### **3. Review Every Attachment — Especially the Drawings**

**Don't gloss over the contract attachments — drawings, labor breakdowns, specs.** Some clients skip written contracts entirely or treat drawings as afterthoughts. Big mistake. If the contractor deviates from the drawings, that's your evidence. Review every detail upfront.

![Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a8b23a6826a4f163f9a122_62fefc27140de2ae3922ee74_daniel-mccullough-HtBlQdxfG9k-unsplash.jpeg)

### **4. Extend the Defect Warranty Period**

Defects show up after move-in. To cover yourself, **set a defect warranty period** — and make it as long as possible. Most contractors offer one year of free warranty repair. **Push for longer.** Also consider requiring the contractor to purchase **performance bonds and defect liability insurance**. This protects you if the contractor disappears or refuses to fix issues.

Today's Q&A covered **what to watch for in interior design contracts**. The most common disputes? Work that doesn't match the contract, and surprise bills for "extra" work. For the first issue, **your drawings are your remedy** — they give you grounds for a damages claim. That's why careful upfront review matters so much.

If the contractor invoices you for extras, scrutinize every line item. **Best practice: write into the original contract that no additional fees will apply.** If you request changes mid-project that legitimately add cost, agree on the price **before** the work starts — not after.

Interior contracts involve large sums and complex terms. Read carefully. If you need help, bring in a professional to review the contract or provide counsel before you sign.

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a8b22a699945aa65d81af2_62fcb6199df690324966dd54_EC_86_A1_EC_A7_80_EC_9D_80_EB_B3_80_ED_98_B8_EC_82_AC_EC_86_8C_EA_B0_9C.png)

##### 📖 Series Index

[01. COVID Refunds: Are Government Guidelines the Answer?](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-01)

[02. Residential-Style Accommodation Regulations: Clear Standards from a Lawyer](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-02)

[03. Can Individuals Run Airbnb Listings as Residential-Style Lodging?](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-03)

[04. Guest Injured in Pension Pool Accident Leaves Bad Review — What Now?](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-04)

[05. Can You Get a Refund if a Marketing Agency Fails to Deliver?](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-05)

[06. Guest Damages Property — How Do You Respond?](https://corp.onda.me/insight-content/lawstory-06)

**07. What to Watch for in Interior Design Contracts**