The first priority of an interior designer is to simplify your involvement in the process. He or she will consult with you, devise a plan and manage the entire process (should you choose to engage them on this level), which includes purchasing, ordering, supervising contractors and overseeing your budget in a way that can save you valuable dollars.
Many consumers are intimidated at the prospect of hiring a designer. Please remember that most people hire designers because they actually save money in the long run. Using a design professional can, and should, be a good experience. Your designer will bring your home continuity, function and beauty. And it doesn't have to go over your budget. Your choice of a talented professional can shed light on your project and make the experience less stressful by allowing the designer to approach it skillfully with a plan in mind, helping you balance your aspirations, functional needs and budget.
If you are about to embark on a project and do not want to hire a pro to work with you throughout the extent of your endeavor, a valuable investment would be to engage a professional for a simple consult. A consult is valuable because a well seasoned professional can point out issues that you may be overlooking and even uncover simple design or decorating solutions that can have high impact for low cost. An initial consultation with a professional can get you on track and provide you with the guidelines for success – a minimal investment for results that will last a lifetime.
Finding the Right Design Professional for You
Do Your Homework - Communicate just what you want Your designer’s goals are to please you. He or she won't be able to create the perfect room for you unless you're able to communicate your likes and dislikes. Before meeting with a prospective designer, collect photos from magazines of rooms and furniture you like (and those you dislike, as the "dislike" is as valuable as the "like") to give your designer a place to start in creating a design specifically for you.
Share Your Vision. Be able to explain to your designer the style you want, the colors you like and the activities that will take place in the room. Make a list of furniture you own that you want to keep. Think about your preferences for furniture, fabrics, materials and patterns.
Be Prepared - Decide on a budget Be realistic about what you are willing to spend on your project. Be conservative. Plan a project with goals and phase in purchases over a few months or years if necessary. Listen to all ideas, but never go against your heart.
Now What?
Communicate with your Designer Listen. Talk. Listen. That's it in a nutshell. The designer will discuss the concept of your project and be frank about your budget limitations.
Finances No one likes sticking to a budget, but everyone has one. Make sure you're very clear on exactly how you'll be charged, when your designer needs deposits, how you'll be billed, what you will get for your money and when the work will be completed. Will you be charged for phone calls, shopping trips or in-home consultations? Are purchases marked up or discounted?
A FEW KEY QUESTIONS:
- Do you feel a connection with this person and trust them enough to make the right choices for the outcome of the project at hand?
- Do you feel that this person is honest and will look after your best interests and not make biased decisions concerning your project?
- Are their designs similar in all the projects that they do?
- Ask for references. And call them.
- The worse that can happen is you end up with a name of who not to use.
- Ask to see a portfolio. However, this should not be the only criteria on which you base your decision.
- If using a decorator/designer service from a retail store be sure they are not committed only to the variety of products being offered in that store. In other words, can they use outside sources and spend time out of the office working on your project? A savvy pro will want to be out in the field, unlocking great possibilities for your project that may not seem conventional but are very creative.
- If consulting with too many decorators/designers that offer free advice, BEWARE! Too many chefs spoil the soup. This may become a cause for confusion.
FEES:
The range of fees for interior design services varies depending on the type of services and primary focus of the designer’s practice. Examples are residential, high-end, commercial and nautical. Some pros may base their fee on the total square footage of the project, ranging between $1.50 and $30.50 per square foot. Get a clear idea about fees up front by asking how the decorator or designer charges for their services: These are the most common methods:
- Hourly Can vary from $35-$350 per hour. This rate may be used for consultations, rearranging furniture, placing accessories, etc. This is largely determined by years of experience, availability and geographic area
- Fixed Also known as “flat fee,” fixed fees may include a cap on hours and sometimes encompass a fixed figure so that you know up front and without a doubt what you are committed to paying for the design services.
- Percentage Above Cost Also referred to as “cost plus,” this fee schedule is calculated at 15 to 35 percent above cost, usually not including delivery and sales tax.
- Retail List price or price presented, which means the pro is presenting selections to you and calculating their mark-up on an individual basis, while often saving you from the industry average markup formula of 2.2 times.
- Retail Less Percentage List price minus 10-20 percent
- Combination Your design pro may have a creative method of enhancing their income, depending on whether or not they are avid shoppers. Clients should realize that in addition to the design fee, some designers also ask to be compensated for time spent shopping and selecting items for the client to consider for their project.
Get your designer’s fee schedule clear from the beginning.
Always have a letter of agreement.
