Eight Tips for Hiring an Interior Designer
1.
Start your search by looking for a designer that is affiliated with A.
S.
I.
D.
The American Society of Interior Designers is the leading organization for interior design professionals.
If you find an A.
S.
I.
D.
designer, you can be confident that they are more than just a "decorator" and will have both the education and the experience required to successfully complete a project.
2.
A designer will set an initial meeting with you and may or may not charge you for this visit.
When you set up this initial consultation, be sure to ask the designer to bring their portfolio or photos of their design work so you can view examples of other projects.
During this phone call, you should also ask the designer about their hourly rate and other charges (such as a markup on products you purchase through them).
If you can not afford the services, you can cancel this initial consultation and avoid wasting your time and the designer's time.
Both of you will be thankful.
3.
Prepare for your first meeting.
Make notes of what it is that you want to achieve in your working relationship, the scope of the project, and how much or little involvement you would like to have in the design process.
It is also critical that you have a budget figured out in advance and be willing to share this figure with your designer.
Clarify with the designer whether or not your budget it solely for products and labor for your home, or if it also includes your designer's hourly rates.
This is an important distinction and clarity on this issue is of utmost importance.
4.
Another very helpful idea is to collect images from magazines that reflect your design likes and dislikes.
This is a great way to clarify what you mean when, for example, you say that you like the color yellow.
There, of course, are varying shades of yellow and you might be thinking Butter Yellow and your designer might be hearing Old World Gold.
A picture in this instance can save you money and time.
If possible, make color copies of these pictures to give the designer.
They will then keep them in your client file and refer to them as needed.
Most designers work with many clients at one time, and honestly, while we try hard to remember the small idiosyncrasies our memory is not always 100% perfect.
5.
Some designers insist on total control of a project and like clients that are hands off.
If this is what you want, great, work with this type of designer.
Other designers are much more flexible in their working style and will allow you, the homeowner, to do as much leg work as you would like.
Be sure you find someone who is the right fit for you from the beginning to avoid confusion and unmet expectations down the road.
6.
Be clear and honest with your designer at the end of your first meeting.
If you are positive that you want to work with the designer after the initial consultation, great, you can get started within the agreed upon scope of work.
If you are unsure if the designer you met with is a good fit for you, or if you are sure they are not, let the designer know that you will get in touch with them if you decide to proceed.
Designers do not expect every initial consultation to turn into a project, but certainly do appreciate it when a homeowner lets them know whether or not they will proceed.
This way, the designer does not refuse other projects in lue of yours.
7.
Try not to waste the designer's time during the no charge initial consultation.
Most designers are very polite but also very busy, and we all know time is money.
While you may feel like the designer is friendly and asking you a lot of personal questions, this is part of the information gathering process and not simply out of niceness.
This means, don't offer unnecessary information or offer to show photos of your kids or go into detail about your latest vacation.
If it does not have to do with your interior design needs, don't discuss.
8.
What do you do if you explore the process of working with a designer in your and figure out that you really just can't afford this service, even though you desperately need it and genuinely want it?Some designers have taken their business online and offer you excellent interior design service via the internet.
Offering interior design service via the internet keeps the overhead cost down, while giving you the professional design assistance you want.
Start your search by looking for a designer that is affiliated with A.
S.
I.
D.
The American Society of Interior Designers is the leading organization for interior design professionals.
If you find an A.
S.
I.
D.
designer, you can be confident that they are more than just a "decorator" and will have both the education and the experience required to successfully complete a project.
2.
A designer will set an initial meeting with you and may or may not charge you for this visit.
When you set up this initial consultation, be sure to ask the designer to bring their portfolio or photos of their design work so you can view examples of other projects.
During this phone call, you should also ask the designer about their hourly rate and other charges (such as a markup on products you purchase through them).
If you can not afford the services, you can cancel this initial consultation and avoid wasting your time and the designer's time.
Both of you will be thankful.
3.
Prepare for your first meeting.
Make notes of what it is that you want to achieve in your working relationship, the scope of the project, and how much or little involvement you would like to have in the design process.
It is also critical that you have a budget figured out in advance and be willing to share this figure with your designer.
Clarify with the designer whether or not your budget it solely for products and labor for your home, or if it also includes your designer's hourly rates.
This is an important distinction and clarity on this issue is of utmost importance.
4.
Another very helpful idea is to collect images from magazines that reflect your design likes and dislikes.
This is a great way to clarify what you mean when, for example, you say that you like the color yellow.
There, of course, are varying shades of yellow and you might be thinking Butter Yellow and your designer might be hearing Old World Gold.
A picture in this instance can save you money and time.
If possible, make color copies of these pictures to give the designer.
They will then keep them in your client file and refer to them as needed.
Most designers work with many clients at one time, and honestly, while we try hard to remember the small idiosyncrasies our memory is not always 100% perfect.
5.
Some designers insist on total control of a project and like clients that are hands off.
If this is what you want, great, work with this type of designer.
Other designers are much more flexible in their working style and will allow you, the homeowner, to do as much leg work as you would like.
Be sure you find someone who is the right fit for you from the beginning to avoid confusion and unmet expectations down the road.
6.
Be clear and honest with your designer at the end of your first meeting.
If you are positive that you want to work with the designer after the initial consultation, great, you can get started within the agreed upon scope of work.
If you are unsure if the designer you met with is a good fit for you, or if you are sure they are not, let the designer know that you will get in touch with them if you decide to proceed.
Designers do not expect every initial consultation to turn into a project, but certainly do appreciate it when a homeowner lets them know whether or not they will proceed.
This way, the designer does not refuse other projects in lue of yours.
7.
Try not to waste the designer's time during the no charge initial consultation.
Most designers are very polite but also very busy, and we all know time is money.
While you may feel like the designer is friendly and asking you a lot of personal questions, this is part of the information gathering process and not simply out of niceness.
This means, don't offer unnecessary information or offer to show photos of your kids or go into detail about your latest vacation.
If it does not have to do with your interior design needs, don't discuss.
8.
What do you do if you explore the process of working with a designer in your and figure out that you really just can't afford this service, even though you desperately need it and genuinely want it?Some designers have taken their business online and offer you excellent interior design service via the internet.
Offering interior design service via the internet keeps the overhead cost down, while giving you the professional design assistance you want.
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