Home improvement designer earns $700,000 from shady

The practice of designers receiving rebates has become a major issue in the home improvement and construction materials industries. It’s something that many people, including homeowners, companies, and even dealers, find deeply troubling. Some designers with a strong sense of ethics are also uncomfortable with this system. Yet, for years, this kind of backdoor deal has been a standard part of the industry, operating under the radar. Recently, a designer who once claimed to have "regained his conscience and couldn’t stand the industry's storm" shared his story with reporters. He revealed how, over four years, he managed to earn “Five Children” — a term used by locals to describe achieving a stable life with five key milestones: owning a house, getting married, having a child, buying a car, and securing financial stability. Gao Jieping, a designer at a well-known design institute, told reporters, “Although the rebates made me rich, they also made me feel guilty every day.” He recalled his first rebate, which was 5,600 yuan given by a team leader — an amount four times his salary at the time. This came after his team recommended specific products like cabinets, tiles, and sanitary ware to a client. Gao used that money to buy a new phone and move into a better apartment. When his father found out, he said, “You’re a half-witted cow,” laughing it off. After four years in the business, Gao had bought two houses, married, had a child, and owned a car. He jokingly referred to this as “Five Children.” Compared to his classmates in other fields, who were still renting and riding electric scooters to work, he felt like he had gotten ahead fast. He now earns around 700,000 yuan annually from rebates and lives comfortably in a 100-square-meter antique studio. His most expensive item is a two-meter-long Dalbergia desk worth over 200,000 yuan. So, how do designers get these rebates? Gao explained, “It’s all done smoothly.” For example, if a homeowner wants to buy a material not affiliated with the designer, the designer might claim it doesn't fit the style or scare them with potential quality issues. Most homeowners end up falling into the trap. Even if a homeowner refuses to buy the recommended materials, the designer can still get a rebate. “The designers and suppliers have an agreement in place,” Gao said. “As long as the materials are part of the design, the supplier must give a kickback, regardless of whether the designer is directly involved.” According to Gao, the rebate rates vary across different materials: 10% for flooring, 30% for tiles, 30% for cabinets, 20% for lighting, and 37.5% for wallpaper, curtains, paint, wardrobes, and sliding doors. In this industry, a monthly income of 5 digits is considered average, while some so-called “masters” earn six figures each month. This system, though profitable, raises serious ethical concerns. While some designers benefit financially, others struggle with guilt and the impact on their professional integrity.