Finding A Designer

Designer Referral Service

To find a designer who will listen and understand your wants and needs, visit the Find A Designer directory

Selecting a Designer

Before contacting an interior designer, take some time to think about what you want and what you need and perhaps write it down.

The first step in the process is to consider some questions that an interior designer will ask regarding your project: For whom is the space being designed? What activities will take place there? How long do you intend to occupy the space? When would you like the project completed? What is your budget for the project? Are you relocating or remodeling? What image do you want to project? What is the approximate square footage of the space to be designed?

Also, be sure to consider the positive and negative aspects of the space. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry, your interior designer will lead you through the design process. Keep in mind the more information you provide the more successful the designer will be in meeting your needs and expectations.

The next step is to reference other visual images (photos, postcards, pictures from the Internet, corporate logos, magazine photos) or environments that meet your aesthetic and functional criteria.

Interview several designers to become familiar with differences in personal and business methods. Take this opportunity to acquaint the designers with your project and ideas. Keep in mind you will work closely with the designer and you will want someone that you will feel will make the right choices according to your special needs and listen to your ideas and concerns. Ask to see a designer’s portfolio of projects or view their website and ask for experience and references.

During an interview, you may want to: Inquire about the designer’s education, training, professional affiliations and other credentials. Ask about what services the designer has to help you optimize your understand the cost of your project. Talk about the duration or deadlines of the project and what the designer’s availability is for taking on the project within the timetable. Establish parameters for updates and ongoing communication between you and the interior designer. Discuss the designer’s fee structure.

Overall, look for educated and accredited interior designers who can demonstrate their creativity and talent.

Once you contract your design professional, he or she will communicate design concepts, help you understand the design process, articulate your ideas, and help you visualize the finished project. Remember, the more information you provide, the better your designer can respond with additional ideas and design with your aesthetic, functional and budgetary goals in mind.

How do Interior Designers charge for their services?

Designers work by a variety of fee structures as do other professions. They may base their fees on variables such as complexity of the project, geographical location and expertise.

Most interior designers will work in one of the following methods or combine methods to suit a client’s needs. Contracts may be written up to make sure both parties understand what is expected of the services depending on the complexity of the project. It would outline the scope of services and sometimes the entire design process.

• Fixed or Flat Fee: The interior designer comes up with a sum to cover costs (exclusive of reimbursement for expenses such as paper copies, long distance phone calls and travel). One total fee applies to the complete range of services; from conceptual development through drawings, product and furniture selections and specifications and monitoring of final installations.
• Hourly Fee: Compensation is based on actual time expended by the interior designer on a project or specific service.
• Percentage Fee: Compensation is computed as a percentage of construction or total project cost.
• Cost Plus Fee: A designer purchases materials, furnishings and contracts services (e.g. carpenters, painters, flooring installers, drapery fabricators) at a cost and sells to the client at the designer’s cost plus a specified percentage agreed upon by the designer and client.
• Retail Fee: The designer sells furnishings, furniture and all other goods to the client at retail rates to cover the designer’s fees and services. This is most applicable to retail establishments offering interior design services.
• Per Square Foot: The interior designer charges fees based on the area as might be calculated for large commercial properties.

In addition to the fee structures outlined above, interior designers may require a financial retainer before beginning a design project. A retainer is an amount of money paid by the client to the designer and applied to the balance due at the completion of the project. The retainer is customarily paid upon signing a contractual agreement in advance of design services.

Developing a budget is a partnership between the client and the designer. As the client, you should have an active role in developing the budget. If you are unsure about costs, be honest with your designer about your personal budget and your designer will help you work within your budget.

A professional designer assesses your needs and helps you determine where to spend and where to save, prioritizing expenses while creating an interior that fits within your budget. Remember, not everything has to be completed at once. Your designer can help you with a long-range plan and consult you to establish a list of priorities and develop a time line for accomplishing your goals.