We all want to have pretty homes – homes that are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and well-organized. But, not all of us have what it takes to renovate and decorate a home. In most cases, those that think they have ‘it’, end up losing all of their time, energy, and money on a home that turned out looking a nightmare. Thus, don’t let that be you. Why would you when there are so many great interior designers out there? However, now, you are probably wondering how to find the best one, that is, how to find an interior designer that will suit your taste and your budget. Well, the answer is simple – by interviewing each designer you find. And, don’t worry, doing that is not as hard as it seems. It is not hard because you have us tell you what questions to ask when hiring an interior designer. So, if this is something you want to find out, keep on reading.
How Would You Describe Your Style
When hiring an interior designer, one of the most important questions to ask is what is his or her design style. And, why is this the most important? Because you need to make sure that that designer’s style matches yours. Some designers specialize in all styles out there – modern, traditional, Scandinavian, eclectic, rustic, etc., while others, work with everything.
So, it makes sense – if you want your home to have that French Provincial look, you should opt for a designer that specializes in that only. And, if you are still not quite sure what you want your home to look like, then find a designer that doesn’t stay within one style profile.
You already know that hiring an interior designer has many benefits. But, those benefits can be put to good use only if you are working with the right designer! Thus, chose wisely!
What Services Do You Offer?
Maybe you need a designer to draw all the architectural details in your home. Maybe, you need a color palate consultation. Or, maybe you just need somebody to help you select the furniture and the décor. However, just like mentioned before, not all interior designers will provide all the services.
Thus, before you even think about hiring an interior designer whom you found in that favorite magazine of yours, ask about the services. That is, say what you need clearly, and see whether that particular designer can help you.
Moreover, ask the designers if they can ‘hook you up’ with the people who will do all the renovating and decorating. For instance, you will the help of centennialmoving.com professional movers if you plan on placing all of your items in storage for the time being. You will also need painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc. Interior designers will only design the space, but you will need the help of all the previously mentioned people to make that design come to life.
How Much Do You Charge
The question nobody likes asking. We understand. But, you need to know how much a certain interior designer is going to charge you before you sign the contract. Trust us, you don’t want to have your home finished and receive a bill you can’t pay.
Thus, before hiring an interior designer, always ask about the prices. And, when you do – ask for an explanation. That is, ask the designer to give you the price of each and every service and to clarify all the prices.
Moreover, make a contract that will prevent them from overcharging! Unfortunately, many designers, and other ‘house’ workers, tend to give ne price upfront and then the other when everything is done. Prevent this from happening by simply creating a contract ahead of time.
What If I Don’t Like the Design?
This happens, more than you think. You hire an interior designer, you say what you want, but, your home ends up looking completely different. So, what then? Well, this is the question you should the interior designer before signing the contract.
Some designer will tell you that there is nothing they can do. They will just encourage you to move in and finish the process of settling in hoping that the new home will grow on you eventually. Others, will, do whatever is in their power to change the design.
To avoid these situations, make sure you are hiring an interior designer that ‘gets you’. Moreover, be prepared! You can’t expect somebody to read you mind, so, prepare inspirational boards on Pinterest, bookmark some design ideas you found online, take pictures of furniture and décor you saw in the store, etc. Show all these to you designer and there is no doubt that you won’t get your dream home.
Can I See Your Portfolio?
One of the last but certainly not the least important questions to ask when hiring an interior designer is to see the portfolio. A designer’s portfolio will show all the work experience that designer has had and it will show his or her style.
If a certain designer doesn’t have a portfolio, well, run. That is a red flag! All guides to choosing the right interior designer will tell you that! This book will show you exactly how experienced, reliable, and handy someone is. Thus, don’t be afraid to ask for it. And, when you get it, take your time to examine it. See whether you like the style and the work before doing anything else.
As you have seen, there are many questions to ask when hiring an interior designer. We mentioned just a couple of them, but, you already know that there are many more. So, sit down, do some researching and write down all the questions you find useful. And, of course, don’t hesitate to ask those questions when interviewing your designers too. If they have all the right answers, you have found your designers. But, if they don’t, well, keep looking.
