Establish Your Dream Space: Here’s What to Ask Your Potential Interior Designer
Your home is your biggest investment and it’s rightful that you build it with people who understand your needs and preferences. If you plan to hire an interior designer who will help make your dream house a reality, you must confidently ask these questions.
1. What’s your design style?
It’s important to get to know the interior designer you’re working with to know if you guys speak on the same wavelength when it comes to design. Ask for a portfolio of their previous works and, who knows, you may even find something that tickles your fancy!
2. What’s your design process?
This will give you an idea of how organized they are and how well they can structure the project. It’s also a good idea to ask them for any references connected to their portfolios.
3. What design services do you offer?
This question will help you know what parts of the project they can provide for you. There’s a big chance that their company provides all sorts of services, not just design. They could do construction, finishing work, etc. and having just one company do all the work for you will make it much easier to keep track of the project.
4. How much do you need me to be involved?
There are some designers who want you to be hands-on as the project progresses while others want full creative rights. Neither is better than the other since both have their pros and cons but it may also help you decide based on how involved you want to be.
5. Here’s my budget, will you be able to work with it?
You should have a set budget with a little bit of leeway. Make sure the budget you set is realistic--based on the amount of money you can shell out and how much materials actually cost.
6. Have you ever worked on a similar project?
If they’re a company that’s been around for a long time, chances are they have. After all, nothing is new under the sun. Once again, you can ask to see photos of these specific projects. This question is just to check if they have any actual experience on a similar project; having them say that they haven’t worked on a similar project doesn’t mean they aren’t fit for the job.
7. What happens if I don’t like the end product?
This is more of a “What if” situation. Everyone involved hopes that this doesn’t happen but you have to prepare for this. If you want something specific done, better cite it in your contract before the project begins.
8. Can you give me examples of mistakes you or your company have made with a project and how it was dealt with?
No one on this planet is safe from making mistakes. The thing that sets people and companies apart is how they deal with their mistakes. When you ask this question, you get to see their problem-solving skills and how much they take accountability for their mistakes. You can also ask them how they deal with shipment delays, absent workers, and the like.
9. What’s the estimated time frame you can give for this project?
It’s better to set a completion date. And as a client, you must also determine how much delay is tolerable.
At Chandra Interiors, clients can expect top-notch service. From executing brilliant designs to amazing client interaction, expect only the best from Chandra. Designing or redesigning a home is already tiring in itself, so make sure you get someone who doesn’t add to the stress.
