Standard Contract and Professional Conduct

In order to clarify the scope of work and responsibility of interior designers and to ensure smooth working relationships between clients and designers, a standard interior design contracts and a code of conduct for interior designers have been devised. Deacons, one of the most established and reputable law firms in Hong Kong, was commissioned to draft a standard contract for interior design consultancy projects. Both English and Chinese version of the contract will be available online at www.hkida.org and www.hkrida.org.

The firm also adapted the code of conduct of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers to fit in with the Hong Kong’s interiors situation. At present, the Code is only binding to HKIDA members, but also serves as a reference for the professional conduct of all local interior design practitioners.

Code of Professional Conduct for Interior Designers

OBJECT OF THE CODE

• The object is to state the ethical standards related to the practice of design which are accepted by all Members of HKIDA who are Designers (as defined below).

DEFINITIONS

• For the purpose of the Code, the word “Designer” shall mean an individual practising freelance or salaried design work, or any group of designers, acting in partnership or within other forms of association within the interior design industry.
• In this Code, references to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and references to the masculine, the feminine and the neuter shall include all such genders.

OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
OF HKIDA WHO ARE DESIGNERS

1. Designer’s responsibility to the community.

• A Designer accepts a professional obligation to further the social and aesthetic standards of the community.
• A Designer accepts a professional responsibility to act in the best interest of the ecology and of the natural environment.
• A Designer shall act in keeping with the honor and dignity of his profession.
• A Designer shall not consciously assume or accept a position in which his personal interests conflict with his professional duty.

2. Designer’s responsibility to his client.

• A Designer shall act in his client’s interests within the limits of his professional duties.
• A Designer shall not work simultaneously on assignments which are in direct competition without informing the clients or employers concerned, except in specific cases where it is customary for the Designer to work at the same time for various competitors.
• A Designer shall treat all knowledge of his client’s intentions, production methods and/or business organization as confidential, and shall not, at any time, divulge such information without the consent of his client.
• It is the Designer’s responsibility to ensure that all members of his staff are similarly bound to confidentiality.
• A Designer shall and shall procure his staff to abide by all local laws including but not limited to the Copyright Ordinance and the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance in force from time to time.

3. Designer’s responsibility to other Designers.

• A Designer must not attempt, directly or indirectly, to supplant another Designer, nor must he compete with another Designer by means of a deliberate reduction of fee or by other unfair inducement. A Designer shall not knowingly accept any professional assignment upon which another Designer has been acting without notifying the another Designer.
• A Designer must be fair in criticism and shall not denigrate the work or reputation of a fellow Designer.
• A Designer shall not accept instructions from his client who knowingly involves in plagiarism nor shall he consciously act in a manner involving plagiarism.

4. Designer’s Remuneration.

• A Designer shall not undertake any work at the invitation of a client without payment of appropriate fee. A Designer may however undertake work without a fee or at a reduced rate for charitable or non-profit organizations.
• Before accepting an assignment, a Designer shall define exactly and comprehensively to the client the basis on which his total remuneration is calculated.
• A Designer who is financially concerned with any company, firm or business which may benefit from any recommendations made by him in the course of his work shall notify his client or employer of this fact in advance.
• A Designer who is asked to advise on the selection of designer shall accept no payment in any form from the Designer recommended.

5. Publicity.

• Any advertising or publicity material must contain only truthful factual statements. It must be fair to clients and other Designers, and in accordance with the dignity of the profession.
• A Designer may allow his clients to use his name for the promotion of articles he has designed or service which he has provided but only in a manner which is appropriate to the status of the profession.
• A Designer shall not allow his name to be associated with the realization of a design which has been so changed by his client as to no longer represent the original work of the Designer.

6. Amendment.

• This Code may be amended by the HKIDA from time to time by notice to its Members.

( Click to Download Standard Contract )