How To Hire An Interior Designer

TIPS ON INTERVIEWING AND FINDING YOUR PERFECT INTERIOR DESIGNER MATCH
Perhaps you are questioning or feeling intimidated by the thought of hiring an interior designer.
Concerned that you will lose control of the design and/or the budget, and that the finished product may
not be to your liking.  Relax; you just have to find the right designer!

A good interior designer is a great communicator; they will ask the right questions and get to know you
personally so that their designs reflect your lifestyle, personality and unique tastes! You can be as
involved in the design process as you wish; in fact, you may work very closely with the designer to create
the concept and make decisions.

Selecting the right designer can alleviate major headaches! Choosing the wrong one can have the
opposite effect. The following information will guide you in your designer search, provide you with the
tools to interview, and hire a professional interior designer. If you have, additional questions do not
hesitate to contact us at 303.916.9515.

Why use a designer?
Great design dramatically increases the value of your home. It instills a sense of comfort and improves
your quality of life. Interior designers help cut renovation costs through superior planning and durable
solutions. They can incorporate sustainable products and principles positively affecting your health, the
environment and reduce energy and utility related expenses. Saving you money!

A person who seeks to design the interiors of his house based merely on their personal tastes,
preferences, and intuition, will likely yield a less pleasing result. This is because interior designers have
gained specialized knowledge through their education and experiences. Although you could also gain
such knowledge, attempting such, when it is not your chosen field of work and passion, would give you
much frustration and take a lot of your time, energy, and resources.

One example is that of a person who merely relies on his knowledge about the meaning of colors. He
may decide to use red as the color of his living room because he wanted his place to become a very
active and passionate area. However, once painted, he notices that his living room feels very narrow and
his guests find it uninviting. This happened because he does not understand how color affects a space.
Had he hired an interior designer he would have received the ambiance he was looking for and saved
time, frustration and money.

Another case would that be of a person attempting to design a new restaurant. Knowing that he lacks
knowledge about the correlation of the design of space and sales, he wisely decides to hire an interior
designer. A lighting concept is created for the best possible design both ergonomically and aesthetically.
The results are spectacular, not only for the dining place for his customers but also for the working
space of his employees, which lead to a high‐earning restaurant. Had he simply rely on his belief that
less spending would yield more profits; he could have simply placed fluorescent lights all over the place.
This would have made his dining area unattractive and his profits, unremarkable.

Designer Premier| 15478 Flowergate Way, Parker Co 80134| 1
303.916.9515|marina@designerpremier.com|www.designerpremier.com

What services do professional interior designers provide?
Designers have a creative eye and artistic flair but there is much more to interior design then choosing
color, fabrics and furniture. In addition to their in‐depth knowledge of products, materials and finishes,
professional designers have the training and expertise to plan, schedule, execute and manage your
project from start to finish. They know and work closely with many vendors, contractors and other
service providers, coordinating and orchestrating the entire design team. Designers also provide
specification and purchasing services to procure materials, furniture, accessories and art, some of which
you might not be able to find on your own.

Some of the many areas of expertise a professional designer offers are:

• Monitoring and supervising construction and the installation of design
• Interior and exterior color palette
• Space planning and utilization, including organizational and storage needs
• Custom design of furniture, drapery and accessories
• Long‐term project and lifestyle planning
• Consulting services to help establish project goals, objectives and budgets
• Ergonomics
• Design for people with special needs
• Conservation and "green" design
• Historic restoration
• Interior detailing of background elements, such as wall and ceiling designs
• Analyze and design lighting and electrical needs
• Selection of appliances, plumbing fixtures and flooring materials
• Acoustics and sound transmission
• Audiovisual and communication technology
• Construction documents and specifications

How do I find the right designer to meet my needs?
Hiring a designer can feel very over whelming, especially if you have never worked with one before.  The
internet and its many design directories are excellent resources to find designers in your area. However,
looking at website after website can be come daunting. To simplify the process and to assure you find a
designer that matches your personality and style look for a personalized referral service. Make sure that
the coordinator of the program actually knows the designers they are referring, as the right personality
match is the most important element in the success of your project.


What happens at the initial consultation?
During the initial design consultation, you will have an opportunity to discuss your project with the
designer, learn how they work and charge, see their portfolio, share what inspires you and discuss your
design preferences.

Be sure to listen to your instincts regarding how you are feeling. Do not be pressured into working with
someone you are not comfortable with, regardless of reputation and recommendation.

After the meeting, ask yourself:
• Did the designer listen to my needs and concerns?
• Did I trust the answers I was getting?
• Was there good “chemistry” between us?
• Did they demonstrate creativity, talent and resourcefulness?

Remain persistent in your search until you find the perfect fit.

How do I determine my budget?
If you are unsure about costs, your designer can provide ranges for different types of services and
projects. If you have, a dollar amount allocated for the project be honest with your designer so they can
help you optimize your budget. A professional designer accesses your needs and helps determine where
to spend and where to save, prioritizing expenses while creating an interior that is within your budget.

However, you need to be realistic too! How you choose to furnish your interior and how you work with
your designer will have a tremendous impact on the final cost of your project. Modifications that involve
altering or moving load‐bearing walls or beams will significantly increase the cost of your project, as well
as requesting changes mid‐project or making excessive demands on the designers time. The more
research and planning you do before you start, the more you will be able to keep costs down during the
project.

Below are the different ways to determine your design budget.

• “This is what we have to spend” Based on your wish list your designer will create a proposed design
budget. If this amount comes in more than the budget allowed, the designer will work with you to
value engineer the project and prioritize items into design phases.  This format provides a design
blueprint allowing you to move to the next step as finances allow.
• “This is what we want to achieve” If no budget is provided, your designer will determine the level of
quality and embellishments you desire and then based on that information create a design concept
and budget for your review.
• How much should I invest in my home? A general guideline regarding the acceptable amount to
invest in your home is 20% to 30% of the home’s value. For example, if your house is appraised at
$400,000, it is reasonable to invest another $80,000 to $120,000 in fixed improvements.


What questions should I ask when we meet?

Below are suggested questions that you will find helpful when you meet with potential interior
designers. Choose the questions that are relevant and important to you based on the scope and size of
your project. A trustworthy professional designer will take the time to answer your questions and make
sure you understand the design process.

1. How long have you been in this business? Look for a well‐established company that has been in
business for at least 10 years.
2. What types of services and products do you provide?
3. How do you work with your clients and what will my role be in the design process be?
4. How is the design budget established and what type of payment terms do you require?
5. Are you willing and able to work within my budget?
6. How do you charge for you products and services?
7. What was the last major problem you had on a job and how was it resolved? Their answer will
provide insight into their dedication to exceed their client’s expectations and their business ethics.
8. How often do you communicate with your customers as the job is progressing?
9. Describe your approach to problem solving and resolving complaints regarding workers, materials,
or workmanship.
10. How much time will you spend on our job each week, either on site or in planning?
11. What type and size of projects have you completed in the last year? What was the budget range?
12. May I have a list of references? The designer should be able to provide references from at least
three clients who they have completed projects with that are similar to yours.
Do not be afraid to call their clients and ask specific questions like:
• Were you satisfied with the designers work?
• Did they start and finish on time?
• Was there ample communication between you and the designer?
• Did they answer the phone or return calls promptly?
• Were there any unpleasant surprises?
• Were they respectful of your budget?
• Would you recommend the designer and use them again?

How do designers charge?
There is no such thing as a “typical fee” for a designer. Many factors influence what a designer may
charge for their services.  Most residential designers use one of the following methods, or combined
methods, to set their fees and may negotiate to suite a client’s particular needs:
• Cost plus (mark‐up) ‐ The designer purchases materials, furnishings and services at cost and sells
to the client at their cost, plus a specific percentage agreed to by the client, to compensate for
the designers time and effort.
• Hourly plus mark‐up ‐This fee structure charges an hourly fee in addition to a cost‐plus on
purchases. This combination is the most popular fee method in Colorado.
• Retail ‐ The designer charges a retail price for all items that are purchased through them. This
fee structure is generally used when a designer works for a retail furniture store.


• Hourly fee ‐ The designer’s compensation is based on the actual times expended by the designer
on a project or specific service.
• Fixed fee (flat fee) ‐ The designer identifies a specific sum to cover costs, exclusive of
reimbursement for expenses. The most common type of fixed fee is for Design Services.
Typically referred to as a “Design Fee”, it is not the same as quoting the whole project but refers
to the conceptual design only. Design Fees are paid upfront and are non‐refundable. They
typically expire and are controlled by a given time period. When the term expires, you can
renegotiate a new fee or you can move to an hourly.

Is a contract important?

Contracts allow both you and the designer to define the scope of your project. It specifies who will be
responsible for what, how long the project will last and clearly states how the designer works and
charges. It is in your best interest to have a signed contract before any work begins or any money
exchanges hands.

What is a retainer?
Designers may require a retainer before beginning a design project. A retainer is an amount of money
paid by the client to the designer and applied to the balance due the completion of the project. The
purpose of the retainer is to assure that the designer is compensated for the time spent prior to the first
billing. The retainer is customarily paid upon signing the contractual agreement in advance of the design
services.

PRICE SHOULD NOT BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHEN SELECTING A DESIGNER!
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot…it can’t be done. If you
base your decision making process on the lowest price and not quality and price, you will pay more in
the end. In additional buying well made pieces helps out environment rather than filling up our landfills
and using our precious resources. Surround yourself with quality, not clutter. Buy it once and buy it
right!


How To Hire An Interior Designer

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How To Hire An Interior Designer