Would I Hire An Interior Designer?
Email To Friend | share this article | Posted by Anna on August 29th in General Remodel.
At first thought it sounds wonderful to have someone come in and help you design your interior décor. What better way to be certain your style is current and tastefully done? Not everyone embraces interior designers, however, for some understandable reasons.
An interior designer can take care of a lot of the legwork for you, hiring sub-contractors, choosing furniture, negotiating prices, and overseeing the work. If you have a busy life, this can be incredibly helpful for you. Just be sure to sign a contract ahead of time that clearly states what you are willing to pay for, and what they will provide in return. Because you are authorizing them to make decisions and purchases for you, the budget can quickly get out of hand. Be sure to specify that your budget is fixed, and should be enough to cover taxes and additional fees. Discuss ahead of time what you can do if you don’t care for a decision they have made, and be sure it is correctable. Check to be sure the designer is certified either through the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Whether they are certified or not, reference previous clients and ask to see a portfolio of their work.
For me personally, it is hard to justify paying $75-$350 per hour to have someone else create my style. If the average room requires approximately 20 hours to configure, that is at least $1500 that I could use elsewhere. Instead, I can study the current design magazines, hire certified contractors, and shop my favorite stores for the best prices. Ultimately it comes down to your personal needs and preference. Also keep in mind that many contractors offer design services and encourage creative collaboration as part of their service. An interior designer can bring a professional flair to your home, but also a professional price tag - it’s up to you!
