California IDEX Practice Exam

The project construction budget prepared by the interior designer typically focuses on the costs associated with the construction and installation aspects of a project. While the designer's fees and reimbursables are certainly part of the overall project cost, they are usually detailed separately from the construction budget since they do not directly relate to the physical building process or materials.

Including the contractor's profit is standard in construction budgets, as it reflects the total cost to the client for the contractor's work. Estimates for built-in equipment are also important, as they contribute directly to the overall design and functionality of the project. Similarly, fixtures supplied by the owner may need to be accounted for in the budget since they can affect installation and layout but are often excluded from the interior designer's construction budget as they may be considered outside the designer's scope of supply.

Therefore, the designer’s fees and reimbursables are typically separated from the construction budget to provide a clearer picture of direct construction costs and to avoid conflating design services with construction expenses. This structure helps both the designer and the client maintain transparency in budgeting and financial planning for the project.