Interview several designers, in order to become familiar with how their personalities, style and business methods differ. Always keep in mind that you will be working closely with the designer, and you will want someone that you feel very comfortable with.
Someone who will listen to your ideas and concerns. Someone who will share ideas, sources, and options with you that you could have never discovered on your own. Someone who you can trust will make the right choices and always represent your interests.
What’s the difference between a decorator and an interior designer? You may have noticed that I have used the terms used almost interchangeably. Yet they are definitely not the same.
- An interior designer has received some form of state certification in recognition of their formal education, work experience, and successfully passing a multi-day series of tests similar in nature to the CPA or bar exam.
- A decorator may have no formal training at all…or may have completed an accredited interior design program, but not yet amassed sufficient work experience to qualify them to sit for the tests…or may simply be too busy with their successful decorating business to take the time needed to prepare and sit for the exams.
So should you use a designer or a decorator? Interior designers are formally trained and experienced professionals, who are typically more expensive to use than decorators. And rightfully so.
But the key issue is: does the scope of your project justify the higher cost of a designer?
Using an interior designer to help you select paint colors or design custom window treatments may be overkill – like going to an orthopedic surgeon for an ingrown toenail. On the other hand, if you envision blowing out walls or laying in new utilities, a decorator may not be equipped to handle such a complex job.
Each designer has their own way of working and various fee structures, whether a flat fee, hourly fee, or percentage of purchases. Just as with any other professional, you should get in writing how you’ll be charged. Be sure your designer spells out for you when they will need deposits, how often you’ll be billed, what merchandise, materials and services you will receive, what the budget for the project is and when the work should be complete.
How much is all this going to cost? (Part 2): Designers and decorators are both eligible for “to-the-trade” discounts of 20%-50%. They will typically markup the merchandise or service to compensate them for their time, knowledge, and sources. However, even with their markup, purchases made through a design professional should cost less than the retail amount. Other types of services are charged at an hourly rate or for a flat fee.
Just be warned that if you choose to purchase items yourself, rather than through a design professional, you are taking on all of the risk.
- If the wrong size or color was ordered, that now becomes your headache to cope with.
- If items are damaged in transit, you will be the one filing the freight claims.
- If the delivery or installation date is delayed two weeks, you will be the one wheedling and negotiating with the supplier.
And don’t forget that to a supplier, a decorating professional represents a steady stream of past and future orders, compared to which the negotiating power of a retail customer is virtually nil. If your project ends up not being completed in time for your daughter’s wedding, it’s entirely possible that, as a long-time customer of the supplier, another decorator was able to pull strings and get their client’s project moved to the front of the line.
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