Which of the following terms refers to expenses incurred outside of the design contract?

The term that refers to expenses incurred outside of the design contract is disbursements. Disbursements encompass costs that the designer pays on behalf of the client and are not included within the primary terms of the design contract. These could cover expenses such as purchasing materials, hiring contractors, or other operational costs necessary for a project but not specifically outlined in the main agreement. It is critical for any interior designer to track these expenditures accurately, as they usually require reimbursement from the client.

In contrast, incurred costs generally refer to any costs that have been incurred in the process of doing business, which can include both direct and indirect costs but do not specifically indicate expenses outside of the contract. Variable costs relate to expenses that fluctuate depending on the level of activity, such as labor or materials, without specifically addressing their relationship to the design contract. Indirect costs are expenses that are not directly tied to a specific project, but rather support overall business operations, which again doesn't pinpoint the essence of costs outside the defined contractual obligation.