Useful Lessons I Learnt From Engaging An Interior Designer
The process of choosing renovation professionals can be a tough and tricky thing to do, especially when there are so many interior design companies out there. To make it easier for new homeowners like I once was, I have compiled a list of the best lessons learnt while and during engagement with an interior designer. You will also be able to see along the way the importance of hard work and patience that is needed to create your dream home!
It is important to know that most interior design companies helm and handle multiple projects at the same time. This may affect your renovation schedule in one way or another so if you have a hard deadline to adhere to, make sure that you inform the designers about it, prior to committing with the company.
After discussing with a few interior designers, you will have a better idea of the duration of the renovation as well as a rough budget which can help to guard your expectations.
Set aside about 1 to 2 months to browse renovation portals and social media to have a comprehensive read about the different interior design companies and quality testimonials from their satisfied customers. Only then should you shortlist a few to proceed further.
By having an early start, you will have more time to react if there are any unexpected changes or delays later on. The extra time will also benefit you to handle everything one at a time with ease instead of having too much on your plate all at once.
As good designs take time, this will give your designer ample time to help create a home that is the most suited to your wants and needs.
The portfolio of a company matters because it reflects the abilities, skills and experience of the designers. It is also where the most proficient design themes and concepts of the company will be revealed for you to assess if it's something you are looking for based on your design taste and preferences.
Always look out for consistency in the companies’ quality of work, this can range from their designs and workmanship to their service. If the company does not have a good customer track record, it says a lot as well.
Where possible, review the past renovation projects done by the companies to ensure the viability of them. You should also perform background research about how long they have been in the industry, as well as their reviews, ratings and customers’ experiences on renovation portals and forums.
While looking at pictures of past projects done by the different interior design companies, do ensure that you are looking at real photos and not 3D renders. For some companies, though their real photos may look nice, it might look totally different in person.
To help with all that, you should visit their showroom to have a feel of their workmanship and design in the carpentry done up, as well as the quality of materials. This will also be your chance to ask your designers any questions you may have about features or the cost of things.
Most often than not, the person that you meet during your meetup discussion in their showroom may not be the person who will be coming up with ideas and the design for your home. Some companies outsource dedicated salespeople to bring in the sales and they would not be there throughout the renovation process with you.
Ask questions and make sure that you know exactly who your designer and project manager will be.
The quotations you get from the different interior design companies will vary due to the type of materials used, the measurements, the level of workmanship and design proposals. Nevertheless, keep in mind the required works that are common and necessary in any renovation process are included in the quotation (such as painting, plumbing and electrical works). For a more transparent comparison, inform the designers of your preferred materials and designs.
Although it is common to receive eye-catching quotations after the first meetings, you should always dive into details to find out why. The reasons could include the quality of the materials used to be not of the best standards, lower grade design selections, hiring sub-par workmen or that the designers are simply trying to have the cost to be within your budget by omission of other items. This applies in the reverse as well, a more expensive quotation or package may also not necessarily mean that you will be getting the best materials and workmanship. However, what is certain is that the cheapest quote often entails hiring the cheapest labor and using the most cost efficient materials for the company to still have margins.
Hence apart from glancing through the quote, an equal amount of time should be spent on looking through the reviews or feedback that the company has been getting so that you can make a more informed decision if your money will be well invested. Price should not be looked at in isolation without the quality. Personally it is more important to be that I am getting something that is value for money rather than anything else when it comes to home renovations where I would be spending quality time for many years to come.
Do also take note that the quotation will be the most accurate after an on-site planning and material selection session. Having a discussion on-site allows for the designers to be able to assess the space more accurately and even counter-propose a better design proposal. There might be minor changes after the material selection as well because some materials may cost more than others. It is advisable to have some leeway with your expenditure.
Most design companies will ask for a confirmation deposit prior to the physical renovation works which can average about 10 to 25% of the total renovation cost. The rest of the sum is then divided into progressive payments before each milestone during the actual renovation.
It is important to know the payment terms of the company well. It is a huge red flag if their initial confirmation deposit amount is as high as 40-50% of the total cost. Find out the breakdown of the progressive payments to be made over the course of the whole renovation. Along the way, for every payment made, make sure that there are receipts of payment made to keep track.
Aside from the strategic space planning, careful selection of materials, colors and fixtures, the importance of having a good rapport with your interior designer cannot be overstated. That’s why the first meet-up discussion with them is so significant, it is the perfect time to see if you and the designer have good synergy to work well together. Interacting more with them can also shed some insights on their way of thinking and communication style.
So that’s it - these are some of the lessons I learnt from the search to the engagement with an interior designer for the renovation of my dream home. I hope they come to be useful when you need it and good luck!