Creating a stylish new look in your home can enhance your mood, impress guests, and increase the value of your property. To achieve this objective, it’s best to hire a professional Interior Designer that can make your property look fabulous.
However, if mistakes get made during the planning stage, as a result of not asking the right questions, you could end up with a space that does not live up to expectations.
So to help you avoid some basic errors that could prove to be costly, Modern Property Design has compiled a list of the most common mistakes people make when hiring an interior designer.
1. Lack of research on the potential cost of Interior Design Interior design is not an exact science, but there are ways to figure out what a designer might cost. Suppose you are looking for a designer and find one that you like. There is likely a page on their website where they will list their basic charges, consultation fees, packages, or cost per room. In some cases, more experienced designers will give industry standards. For example, a kitchen might cost $30,000.00. Since most Interior Designers list some of their costs on their websites, it won’t surprise you when you call them and find out the figure.
2. Failing to understand the value an Interior Designer can bring Interior Designers can save potential customers valuable time shopping around, vetting contractors, ordering furniture, setting up decor, and dealing with vendors. Those things are time-sucking tasks that Interior Designers accomplish.
Therefore, it’s worth researching two or three Interior Designers to see what services they provide. It will ensure you know what you’re getting or not getting when it comes to hiring them.
3. Not having a budget Please have some idea of what you want to spend. Hiring an interior designer on a budget is possible, but you must think about how much you can afford, not how much you want to pay. Being realistic and honest with yourself and setting up a proper budget is the most critical part of the design process. Consider your income and how much you can commit to investing each month. If you don’t have enough funds yet, create a savings plan and look for affordable interior design services.
4. Ignoring the timeline So often, customers are not clear on their timeline. I highly recommend having a very detailed conversation with your designer about your timeline and having the designer explain some of the common pitfalls that come with any home renovation/design project. Keep in mind that something will come up - it always does. So it’s essential to have patience and flexibility.
5. Skipping on asking the designer how they structure projects I’m not sure if customers are afraid to ask this question. But customers should want to know how the design process will work. How the designer structures a project will indicate their time management and what to expect from the process. It’s a good idea to start with an initial consultation and discuss fees before jumping into the design process. The designer should also present a concept before the design details get finalized. Understanding how things work is critical to the success of the project and the clients’ peace of mind. So make sure you ask many questions if you are unsure about something.
6. Being unclear on what’s getting delivered It’s essential to understand what you are getting from the Interior Designer. To ensure your designer and you are on the same page, it’s best to chalk out a clear scope of work. If something changes, be sure to communicate with the designer and have a change order written or rewrite a portion of the brief to include or not include specific deliverables.
To avoid these and other mistakes, reach out to Rosslyn Snowden, the Principal designer/ owner at Modern Property Design.
I’m an experienced interior designer in Washington, D.C., offering modern interior design services. My comprehensive service includes concept creation, project management, renovation, finishes, materials, fixtures, mood board, redesign, and space planning.
I serve clients across Upper NW, sixteenth Street Heights, Northwest Washington, Georgetown, Navy Yard, Capitol Hill, Eastern Market, Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Potomac, Maryland, and Virginia. I’m also available for virtual consultations.
For a complete list of my services, please click here. If you have any questions about interior design, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with me here.