What to Look for When Hiring an Interior Designer

by | Jan 3, 2018 | Design, Home

Let’s face facts; the cost of modifying your home can be prohibitive at the best of times.

Adding a simple extension can cost the eye-watering sum of £14,000 on average, for example, while even relatively affordable improvements such as carpeting your house can set you back up to £2,000.

With this in mind, deciding to hire an exterior designer is not something to be taken lightly. Just like the other expenses listed above, however, hiring an interior designer can deliver a viable ROI, and one that actively contributes to a stylish and appealing home design.

So, what exactly should you look for when hiring an interior designer? Let’s take a look:

  1. Understand What an Interior Designer Does

In all honesty, you can’t realistically hire an interior before first understanding their purpose or how they work.

In simple terms, independent designers work closely with their clients to create rooms and spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, while also ensuring that they match a specific brief or visual ideal. Although they are usually highly accredited and boast a number of exceptional design skills, they work as hired contractors whose job is to deliver precisely what their clients desire.

Before you hire a designer, you should also look for design teams that are capable of marrying good looks with functionality, which is crucial whether you intend to live in a house or make it available for rent. This is important, as it ensures that you achieve a suitable return on your overall investment.

  1. Rely Heavily on Consumer Reviews

We live in the age of the consumer, where individual customers have the opportunity to wield influence over brands like never before.

When comparing various service providers, for example, customers can now use independent reviews to objectively appraise brands across any conceivable industry. These reviews are left by customers who have had first-hand experience of dealing with specific contractors, so they are well-placed to provide insight that can help you to make an informed decision.

Be wary of the testimonials published on branded websites, however, as it’s far better to use independent resources like Trustpilot. This platform aggregates both negative and positive reviews for registered brands, providing them with an overall rating that remains a good indication of their quality and appeal.

  1. Ask for Portfolios

While most interior designers will publish a portfolio on their website, you may need to prompt others to provide this. Either way, this can be an excellent way of evaluating interior designers, as it offers visual evidence of their work and its quality.

This is particularly effective if you have a clear idea of what you want from a project, as some designers specialise in achieving specific looks while others may have a history of reinventing specific types of building.

In these instances, appraising individual portfolios can help you to identify the design teams that are most suited to help you accomplish your goals, helping you to make a decision that almost guarantees a successful outcome.

Read through our useful guide for more information

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