Interior Design Q & A

WHY SHOULD I SEEK THE SERVICE OF AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

1. Their knowledge, expertise, and guidance can help prevent costly mistakes.
2. They know how to work with architects and contractors, they have established contact with skilled trades people, and they supervise your project to completion, smoothly and on time.
3. A professional, will save you countless hours of shopping - they have access to a wide range of domestic and foreign resources.
4. They are trained to make the most of available spaces and do create the traffic patterns and furniture arrangements that make daily living functional, safe, comfortable and easy.

WHEN SHOULD I USE A DESIGN PROFESSIONAL?

1. When you are contemplating buying or building a new house.
2. When you plan a major addition to your home
3. When you want to renovate or remodel your living space
4. When your expanding family needs to "reorganize" space allocations.
5. When you like a variety of styles but are not sure how to group them together.
6. When your rooms needs new drapes, floor coverings, furniture and accessories.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE CONTACTING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

1. Collect clippings from magazines and photos of items and decors that appeal to you.
2. Know what colors, style and effects you like.
3. Know what you want to accomplish, what the room or house should do for you when finished.
4. Establish a time frame in which you would like the work to be accomplished.

WHAT SHOULD I BUDGET?

For a new (empty) house or condominium you should calculate about 25% of its total purchase price. For an existing space consult with the interior designer what would be a fair budget estimate.

WHAT SHOULD I ASK AT THE FIRST MEETING?

1. Ask to see the interior designer's portfolio, but remember that the illustrations reflect other people's tastes ­ not the designer's, and probably not your own.
2. What size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range?
3. How the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the designer requires.
4. Types of services the designer can provide.
5. List of references.

HOW DO DESIGNERS CHARGE?

1. Flat Design Fee: Client pays a flat fee for interior design services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.
2. Hourly Rate: Interior designer bills a negotiated rate per hour.
3. Cost Plus Method: Interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen's services rendered.
4. Mixed Method: Client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.
5. Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.


Source: www.ambianceinteriordesign.com