Is Hiring an Interior Designer Worth the Cost?
Is Hiring an Interior Designer Worth the Cost?
One of the biggest concerns a homeowner has when considering working with an Interior Designer is cost. You may have a sense of what you want to spend on the project, but how much of the budget will go to design fees? Is an Interior Designer worth the expense?
The answer is: it depends. Whether a Kitchen remodel, Bathroom remodel, furniture purchasing, or full home remodel, every project is incredibly unique. Additionally, every designer has a different fee structure and every individual has a different perception of value.
When considering the costs associated with hiring an Interior Designer, there are some important factors to consider:
1) Is the project something you can design and manage yourself? Do you have the time, knowledge, and resources?
2) Do you know where to go to source furniture, plumbing, cabinetry, tile, and countertops?
3) Without consideration of cost, how could you benefit from the assistance of a designer? Maybe this includes space planning, a cohesive design, less stress, less investment of your time, less of a potential for costly mistakes, and trade & vendor recommendation.
4) Do you know where to start? Do you have a good idea of your scope? Do you know who to hire to do the work and how to manage them?
Depending on the above answers and your budget, it could be worth considering working with an Interior Designer.
An Interior Designer is someone who has a minimum of a 2-year degree in Interior Design. That means they have formal training in space planning, materials, and the design process. But the true value of an Interior Designer is their expertise and resources. The role of a designer is to guide the homeowner through their project in a thoughtful sequence to make the process as easy and approachable as possible, all the while working towards creating the best possible end result.
Interior Design is a process. You don’t just take an inspiration image and recreate it. There are many factors that go into creating a personalized space and it takes time, communication, and thoughtful consideration. For example, every project considers: How do you live in the space? What currently works and what doesn’t work? What level of maintenance are you willing to deal with? An experienced designer has been through it all before and will ask questions that you hadn’t considered to ensure you are making the best decisions and getting the most from the time and money you are investing in your home improvements.
Interior Designers also have access to materials and resources that are not available to the public and are often heavily discounted. Some designers pass along a portion of their discount (I split my discount with my clients), so not only are they getting materials that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise, they are also getting them at a lower cost.
Time is money. Knowing where to shop and in what sequence to make decisions is a huge timesaver. And so is having someone who can envision the end result and give recommendations and input throughout the process. Some clients spend months (or even years) looking through magazines and pinning photos on Pinterest or Houzz. It can be overwhelming. Having an interior designer translate that inspiration into a cohesive package that works for your home and lifestyle is not something a lot of people can do on their own. Decisions are easier to make when you have professional guidance.
Additionally, mistakes can be costly. Not having decisions made in a timely manner can blow the timeline and budget. Regretting a decision and changing it later is a huge waste of money and resources. Working with a designer who is familiar with the process, keeps you on track, and can provide drawings and renderings to ensure you are happy with the end result before construction begins can be a huge cost savings as well as an enormous stress relief.
Does working with a interior designer cost money? Yes. It is a luxury commodity and not for everyone. But if you are investing time and money into your home, it is the best way to ensure you are happy with the end result and it can prevent costly mistakes.
As an interior designer in Northern California, I know a little bit about a lot. I rely on subcontractors who are experienced in their individual field and I have spent years forming relationships with different trades. I am not a general contractor, or a painter, or a tile installer. But I have worked with enough trades to know who to bring in, how to speak with them about the project, and how to hold them accountable for their work.
Want another opinion on how hiring an Interior Designer can actually save you money? Take a look at this article from Forbes: