Hiring a Designer Series - Part 1 Are you wanting to update your living or work space?
Are you debating seeking professional help?
We know it can be a difficult decision, so we have 5 questions that can help you decide if you are ready to hire an Interior Designer!
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1. Do you have a realistic budget for new items and professional services?
Often times clients under-estimate how much they want to spend on furnishing their new home, or updating their current home. If anything, it is best to over-estimate your purchase goal and don't forget to calculate 10-15% of the budget for professional services (depending on scope of work).
2. Are you willing to relinquish some control and open up to new ideas?
The purpose of hiring a professional is to help you design in new ways and with new trends you might not have known about. In most cases, if you trust your designer, you will be the happiest with your results!
3. What is your time frame and is it reasonable for what you want to accomplish?
Looking for new items and having them shipped in often takes longer than expected--especially if you are buying custom-designed pieces or popular items that may be back-ordered. Patience is key for achieving your ideal design. We are happy to do a rush job when needed, but the best results come from time and communication.
4. Are there certain aspects of this project you plan on handling yourself?
If you know that you want to be in charge of selecting particular items within a certain room, then communicate that ahead of time, so there is no wasted time and money between you and the designer.
5. What kind of style do you expect to achieve and how will you communicate your expectations?
Maybe look through design magazines or online photos for inspiration (such as Houzz or Pinterest) to give to your designer. That way you will both clearly understand in what direction you want the project to go.
If you can answer all of these questions confidently then now you probably know if you are ready to hire a designer!
**In the next few weeks we will continue this "Hiring a Designer Series" and talk about finding your perfect interior designer and what to do once you've hired that perfect designer!
If you have any further questions for us, we would be happy to help answer them! Contact us here.
Part 2 - 5 Tips for Hiring the Perfect Designer for You
Part 3 - 5 Things to Expect after Hiring an Interior Designer
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