6 Essential Questions To Ask An Interior Designer Before Hiring Her

6 Essential Questions To Ask An Interior Designer Before Hiring Her

Starting a new home adventure, especially when you decide to hire an interior designer, is an exhilarating task. Prior to hiring the designer, you need to have an introductory interview with them. This can be a casual or professional conversation that will get you and your designer acquainted. This relationship should be an intimate one because she will be implementing your vision. Then this conversation will set you on a path that will hugely impact your home.

Hiring an interior designer may feel like dating. Are we on the same page? Do our visions align? These tend to be the most notable concerns as before hiring a decorator. This initial conversation will provide answers and give you a glimpse of how the relationship will look like. Knowing what to ask in this first meeting is vital.

How Do You Determine Which Project Is Good for Your Company?

This question is like asking, “why do you think this job is right for you?” The way the designer will answer the question will allow you to learn a lot. You’ll know their priorities, objectives, and goals; and most importantly, if they align with your vision. Here in Columbus, Ohio, several factors will help us determine if a potential project is a good fit for our interior design services. When evaluating your compatibility with your designer, personality fit is paramount.
Every service provider has an ideal client, and so you should have an ideal vision of your designer. You should be honest and decisive in describing your expectations, as this is essential to put you on a route to design bliss. The interior designer you select should be comfortable to work on entire homes as well as individual rooms. The designer should be able to complete large-scale renovations, individual rooms, and new construction.
You can also inquire about success stories, testimonials, and references. Here, you will be looking for testimonials and evaluating the designer’s portfolio. You can easily find the testimonials on the website, but it will be essential to gauge the sincerity of the designer. The design projects may go on for months, and you would want a partnership that is respectful and enjoyable.

What Design Services Do You Offer?

This question is crucial for two reasons. First, you want to comprehend how the decorator thinks about herself. Second, you have to ensure that you are working with a company that specializes and excels in services that suit your project needs. A good interior design services company should be able to work with other contractors such as your architect and builder. The interior designer should be capable to assist in the space of the project, among other things, designing custom furnishing, color selection, and space planning. Your interior designer should also demonstrate experience in similar projects. To ensure that you will get the best from your decorator, it is essential to know if she has experience in households or similar spaces to yours.

What Are Your Design and Management Styles?

What will you be looking for here? You will be evaluating the designer’s vision and whether it matches yours. An Interior decorator should be able to explain her vision in ways that the client can understand by tilizing processes such as floor plans, renderings, and fabric samples, to name just a few. The design styles may vary from traditional, contemporary, romantic, serene or eclectic. A good designer should also find inspiration from the client’s requirements.
Some designers have one style in their portfolio, which sometimes may not meet your needs. These designers are not adaptable and may not fully solve your issues or meet your expectations. If you have a combination of tasks, then it is important to hire a designer with a portfolio with different designs capable of executing different design styles.
The value of the interior decorator you select extends beyond paying for the services. Your designer should put your vision simply and easy for you to understand. A good interior design firm should manage the project from the design phase to delivery.

What Are Your Rates and Can You Work with My Budget?

You are aware that interior designers in Columbus, Ohio, may charge a bit differently. Some may charge a flat rate, some charge by the hour, and some incorporate a mark-up on products while others may use a combination of the above. In interior design services, the companies will charge differently; therefore, price is not the correct yardstick for hiring the designer.
You should look for the right fit between aesthetics, price, and services. Does the designer clearly outline how you will be charged? Are you comfortable with the model? You should look for the pros and cons of the methods adopted by the service provider.
This question will help you know that your designer will maximize your investment. Once you agree with their rates and model of payment, you will need to know how the designer will align your needs with your investment. How will you track your funds? Tracking the funds will assist in determining if your dream is achieved in scope and budget.

Do You Involve Clients in The Project?

You need to know if the designer will require your input after every step. If you like managing your projects, then you should ensure that you hire a designer that is comfortable with consulting the client during the process. If you are a hands-off person that would prefer delegating the project, then you will be better off with a designer that prefers to exercise creative control.
This question will let you know ahead of time what to expect in terms of management of the process. It will also provide a clear outline of the management of the creative process and by who. The agreement on your involvement in the project will ensure that the project does not suffer from unnecessary delays. The answer to this question will also foster trust.

Who Are in Your Team and How Will You Select Them to Work On My Project?

In the introductory interviews, you may be speaking with the principal designers in the company. While the interior designers are talented, they still work in teams. The entire team working on your project may include members of the organization and contracted service providers.
Knowing the team members will foster a relationship and guarantee the project scope will be attained both in time and cost. Also, everyone will understand your communication and management style. For instance, when the design team needs to make changes, they will know what channel to use.

Conclusively, hiring a designer for your project is a commitment, but should be a fun process. Always ensure that this creative innovator possesses a similar sense of individual style to yours. Once you have had a fulfilling first interview with the designer, then you are free to ask to follow up on questions. A good interior designer will make the process entertaining. Call us today to help you make your vision a reality.