Design $ense (c)

Last week we covered why you might need the services of a professional Designer and this week, as promised, we are giving you some guidelines on how to select the right one; but before we discuss that, it is important to differentiate between an interior designer and an interior decorator.

Both do indeed deal with the aesthetics of a project and anything that a decorator can do a designer can also do, however the reverse might not necessarily be true. Designers have the needed specific training to help you safely change or reconfigure walls, expand living spaces
supervise the needed construction as well as help you select and specify materials, finishes, lighting and furniture.


So now you have found your Designer how do you make sure that you are working with the right professional?

Here is a check list of things to look out for and questions to ask:

• Does the team understand your needs? If so, how are they helping you identify and develop them?

• Are they receptive to your ideas and suggestions about your project?

• Make sure the company has been in business and has experience doing similar work for at least 5 years. Have they been involved in this type of project before?

• Can you see examples of their work that are similar to your project? What services did they provide on these projects?

• Who will be the lead person on your project? And will that person be there throughout the project life or will they hand off to another employee later on?

• Ask for references from at least 5 current or previous clients and contact at least 3 of them. Ask them if they experienced any delays in work schedules on their projects or workers not showing up when they were supposed to.

• What is the team’s experience and history in meeting projected budgeted costs on similar projects?

• What is the basic estimated fee for this type of project? How will the fee be determined? What service does it cover? What is not included?

• Ask the Design team how they handle questions for information and complaints while projects are in progress.

• Can they meet your schedule for the project? And if not why?

• What additional costs do they anticipate for your project?

• Contact the Better Business Bureau to check if there is anything to worry about.

Finally, after having satisfied yourself with the appropriate qualifications of your selected professional make sure that your contract with the chosen designer very clearly outlines not only all aspects of the work to be done, but also defines a start and projected finish timeline and have payment
schedules closely tied to milestone completions of different critical phases of the project.

As you can see in striving to balance aesthetics and cost efficiency in your project, it really isn’t only a question of selecting the right materials but more importantly, selecting the right team of experts and professionals to help bring it all together in the right way.

coming next week: “How to cope when your home becomes a work site!”


Copyright 2008 Raad Ghantous & Associates / RG&A
All rights reserved

" we don't design interiors ... we design experiances " TM