Is It Time to Hire a Designer?
When undertaking a renovation or re-design of your space, it’s hard to know when you should contact each vendor, trade person, or service provider. First, ask yourself some questions:
What is the exact scope of work?
Which trades will need to be involved in my project?
Will I hire a construction company or a general contractor (GC)?
Will I need an architect?
How much money can I invest in this project? (Very important to nail this one down)
What is my timeline?
Can I handle acting as the GC?
It’s a lot, right?
Here’s the easy answer to when you should bring in an interior designer: at the very beginning!
There is nothing to be gained from waiting, and so much benefit to having a designer on your team from the onset.
A designer can:
Determine the scope of work and whether you need a larger construction company or a single general contractor
Clarify what each type of provider does and the benefits of their expertise
Refer you to trusted architects, sub contractors, trades people, and service providers
Use a planning tool and their own experience to help you understand what your project will cost
Create detailed drawings of existing structural conditions and proposed new work which you can take to several companies/contractors for bidding purposes. This way you are comparing apples to apples with each bid and not getting sidetracked by multiple people pulling you in different directions
Help you with a realistic timeline that will keep you focused, and hold others accountable
Build a team you can rely on and trust to perform quality work
That last one is a big one! Having a group of people working on your home who have never worked together and may have competing goals/motivations can cause you stress, cost more money, and delay the completion of your project. Avoid big egos getting in the way and derailing your renovation or re-design by ensuring everyone on the project is a good fit and understands their individual role in the process.
Ultimately, whether your designer has a large or small role in your project, the best time to contact them is at the very beginning. We are here to help! Your dream home or space is within reach with careful planning and a killer design vision!