The first hurdle is finding a designer who is on your same wavelength, someone who will take the time to understand your needs and lifestyle, to work with your budget.

However before you make a snap decision and hire the first designer that crosses your path, it would be useful to pause on some questions your potential designer may have for you.

Here are some pointers:
What is your time frame and budget?
For whom is the space being designed? And what is its function?
How much advise do you require? Is it the spatial layout, materials & colours?

Ask to view previous projects, education and any relevant experience for your type of project. You will be working closely with this person for a possibly lengthy period of time, so be sure that you feel at ease communicating and expressing your requirements and ideas. The initial meeting is important to determine that the prospective designer takes the time to listen to your needs. Also that trust is established and your mind is at rest that when selecting materials and furniture you are not obliged to purchase from any particular supplier.

Since a designer has contacts with suppliers they are able to obtain considerable discounts at net prices, this saving alone can more than account for the designers fee.

Once you have the designer’s fee proposal make sure that you properly understand the breakdown of costs and what exactly is included.

Is there a contract? Discuss your specific needs to make sure the designer’s fee proposal will work for you. For example if you only need some advice on paint colors and furniture placement, a flat or hourly fee would be more appropriate. However, if you project is a more detailed one, there will likely be a combination of fees for concept development, estimate of costs, working drawings and site supervision.
Speak openly with the designer about your budget so they are able to meet your needs and give you a realistic overview of the projects feasibility.

Remember that this is your space and it should reflect your personality and lifestyle not that of the designer. Otherwise the result will be one that looks and feels like a hotel room…so be firm that this space is about you.

The more information you provide the prospective designer, the more the designer can fulfill your needs. You can do this in many forms, some of my favourites: writing about your dream home, presenting a painting that captures the feel of your future space. You may even want to compile your own scrapbook of images that inspire you in some way or another.

Great projects all start with a dream

Labels: concept, employ a designer, fee structures, hiring a designer

Hello, to all you design crazed fanatics this is my first blog, so im very green at this :) but this is how i intend to use my blog:

This space will be an interactive platform to discuss design and more specifically the world of interiors.

I look forward to discussing anything from innovative ideas, new sizzling materials, ways to bring in light, eco friendly solutions, colours, spatial solutions etc..

So, feel free to leave your comments, questions, suggestions..or browse through my website and let me know what you think.

Keep an eye on this spot..Thanks for visiting
Davina