Meet the interior designer
Once you have shortlisted an interior designer, try and understand his/her aesthetic sense and work methodology. Remember you are on the lookout for a designer who is receptive to your ideas and design needs and will work within your comfort zone. Establishing clear communication will go a long way in strengthening mutual trust before actual work on the project begins.
Set a clear budget
Nothing is in place if the budget has not been decided. Defining budget and timelines are paramount as most misunderstandings arise from lack of clarity on one or both these counts. It’s imperative that your interior designer and you thrash out the financial minutiae and project timelines right at the beginning to avoid any confusion at a later stage. While some designers ask for a fixed fee for all services, others charge an hourly rate. Some designers may ask for what is known as ‘cost-plus’. This fee is charged to buy furnishings and décor items, and the designer also adds a mark-up to this. In some cases, designers use a combination of fee structures, such as charging a fixed fee to develop the initial plan and a cost-plus to execute it.
Insist on designs and inventory
As a client, you have the right and responsibility to ask for a visual representation of the project that may be in the form of designs and blue print. Ensure that the design of the house is in accordance with local and municipal laws. It is vital to understand the structure of the house to avoid any mistakes that might land you in a spot of bother later.
Why to do it yourself?
“Should you go about doing it yourself or should you hire an interior designer?” Here’s some food for thought.
When to do it yourself?
You’re on a budget: Dealing with budget constraints does not mean you have to compromise on the final look and feel of your space. Instead of seeking professional help, the idea is to allocate maximum funds towards high-quality purchases for your home. A word of caution though: Make sure you have a clear vision for the interior style you want to incorporate in your home before you begin.
You’re passionate, creative, and have an eye for design: If you find yourself immersed in interior design blogs and magazines – pinning ideas for inspiration, then this might just be the perfect opportunity for your creativity to express itself.
You’re looking to make modest design changes or quick refreshes for singular spaces, for example, a kitchen revamp or a bedroom makeover: Small scale projects present the perfect opportunity for the DIY’er in you.
You want to be flexible with timelines: Projects developed by professionals are executed on specific timelines and estimates. This means you need to have the cash reserves to ensure that the project flow isn’t disturbed. On the other hand, when you do it yourself you have the flexibility to pace things, based on your cash flow and the expenses for the month.
