Installations : Bigger Profit

^{Image - The Garden Installation from The Installations Masterclass}

^{Whether you’re brand new to installation work or already experimenting with large-scale design, this blog is here to offer guidance and inspiration. And if you find yourself wanting to explore the topic further, the Installations Masterclass is always available - filled with real-world techniques, sustainable mechanics, and practical tools to make installations a confident part of your practice. Explore The Installations Masterclass here.}

Installations might be known for turning heads, but they can do something even more valuable — they can boost your profits.

Too often, I see designers holding back from pursuing installation work because they feel overwhelmed. The scale. The structures. The investment. The pricing. It can feel like a lot.

But here’s the truth: installation design isn’t just achievable, it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to grow your business. When done well, it can increase your average sale, shift your client base into a more premium space, and open up entirely new markets, from luxury weddings to corporate activations and visual merchandising.

What’s more, installations don’t need a new pricing formula. I use exactly the same approach that I do for everyday floral work. Whether I’m making a buttonhole or a 20-foot arch, I aim for a profit margin of 30 to 40 percent.

The difference lies in scale. A large piece naturally has a higher overall value, which means the profit - even on the same margin - is higher too.

I begin every costing with the materials. That means the flowers, of course, but also the mechanics - the chicken wire, test tubes, cable ties, structural elements. If I’m unsure how much I’ll need, I build a short section of the design first. One foot. No more. That’s enough to understand volume, coverage, and time. One of my favourite words: QUANTIFY!

Once I’ve got my base cost, I apply a markup. Often that’s ×3, though it can vary depending on the job. Then I add 20% for labour. After that, I factor in delivery - especially if I’m hiring vans, lifts, or working in challenging locations. Finally, I include setup costs. Things like late-night installs, out-of-hours work, or additional staff all need to be accounted for. Tax comes at the end.

It’s a straightforward process, but it depends on you knowing your numbers - and on giving yourself the clarity to quote with confidence.

You don’t need to figure this all out from scratch. If installations are new to you, or if you’ve been dabbling but want to go deeper, I've created a full online course where I share everything I’ve learned - including how to design, build, price and rework your installations so they become a meaningful (and profitable) part of your business. Find out more about The Installations Masterclass here.

One of the things I love most about installation work is that it rewards investment. Most of the kit you use, the frameworks, bases, risers, they can be reused again and again. A good frame might be used in six, ten, even twenty different ways. That kind of longevity means you’re not starting from scratch each time.

And when it comes to visibility, installation work has a different kind of reach. It’s bold. It’s shareable. And it often attracts clients with larger budgets - people who want something dramatic, something unforgettable, and who understand that spectacle comes with a price.

That positioning can shift your whole business. Not overnight, but gradually, steadily, installation by installation. You begin to be seen as someone who does this kind of work. Someone who can be trusted with big moments and big spaces.

If you want to keep that momentum going, treat your installations like the brand-building assets they are. Share them regularly. Include them on your website. Create a mini portfolio and send it to planners, venues, past clients. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just a short PDF with great photos and a sense of what you offer can go a long way.

You can also revisit old designs in new ways. Recreate a favourite installation in dried flowers, or in silk. Use the same shape in a different palette. That kind of versatility adds longevity to your creative ideas, and gives you options to suit different clients and budgets.

And remember: installations aren’t just for show. They can be seriously profitable. They helped build the Joseph Massie studio into the brand it is today - not through one spectacular moment, but through consistent, intentional work that grew over time.

They’re exciting. They’re expressive. And they can be a whole lot of fun too. But most of all, they’re effective - creatively and financially.

If you’re ready to make your mark, there are few better places to start. 

_{You don’t need to figure this all out from scratch. If installations are new to you, or if you’ve been dabbling but want to go deeper, there’s a full online course where I share everything I’ve learned — including how to design, build, price and rework your installations so they become a meaningful (and profitable) part of your business.}