Interior Decorating: Make My Home Beautiful - How to Hire an Interior Designer
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My last article dealt with the dilemma of the do-it-yourself vs..
do- it- for- me decorating.
Suppose you have made the decision to hire a professional designer: Congratulations! They have taken the first step in establishing a partnership with someone who will guide you through the design process.
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But where do you look for a competent, experienced designer? What type of questions should you ask the designer during the interview? Once you hire a designer, what type of questions should you be prepared to answer? Don't be discouraged, because the following information will help you through the whole process.
Organize your thoughts and also before hiring a designer to be prepared:-Budget: Only you know how much money you are willing to spend on your project.
Pre-determine your budget range and discuss it with your designer.
Gather images of products that you would like incorporated in the functionality of your design.
If you have a friend or relative that has used a designer for a project recently, and is pleased with the job, you will probably be happy with that designer's work.
Most designers can work well in a variety of styles, but others can be very limited.
If all the work looks the same or you don't see styles that suit your taste, then you might not have the right designer.
Magazines with the most local newspapers have different designer each month.
These designers are almost always well established and experienced.
Contact the designers whose work you admire most.
-Show Houses: r
A few times each year most areas sponsor show houses.
Houses are usually announced in the show house and garden of the local newspaper.
Typically there is a charge for entering the show house but usually they benefit a charity.
Here you can view their work first hand.
All ASID members are not the same.
Professional members must submit references, have a certain amount of experience and pass a rigorous national exam called the NCIDQ.
After checking references and tapering your search to around three candidates, you are ready to conduct interviews.
The portfolio should give you a good idea of the styles in which the designer works best.
Designer letter of credentials: information on their training, experience, a professional nature and other projects that are working.
-Ask about your project duration:
It's important to know how many projects the designer has contracted while undertaking your project.
Some designers may not be able to start the project immediately because of their workload.
Let the designer know your deadlines and make sure they will be available to have your project completed by the desired timetable.
Go over the working methods that fit your needs Letter: Some designers work closely turnkey basis or as a full-service and more for everything you.
Most designers though, are willing to be hired for limited service or for consultation.
-Ask about fees:
Discuss the designer's fee structure.
Usually, there is an hourly fee involved.
Most designers offer to pass on their discounts plus a slight mark-up.
Now that you've made your choice, the designer should give you a contract to sign.
The contract is very important and protects both parties.
The contract defines the scope of the project.
It defines who is responsible for what and where the borders of the budget.
The most challenging part is over.
Sit back and relax, you now have a professional paving the way for you.
Although there will be many decisions to make and a few unexpected obstacles, you'll now have someone in your corner.
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