What are the advantages of using the services of an interior designer?
Have you ever been inside a stunning home or office that really caught your eye? Do you think all of the design elements of the space happened by accident? Probably not. In almost all instances a professional designer was hired early in the planning phase to collaborate with the architect or builder to create the space, select the finishes and determine the color schemes.
A pro can actually help you make the best use of your design budget. Often highly desirable results are attainable for a very modest sum. Think about this: is it worth $150 to find out how best to redo a room or perhaps an entire house? Or, to help you build a home that a good fit fo you, but will be more marketable when it's time to sell? Or, to stage your house to sell in a challenging real estate market? You might be able to get an interior designer to come and consult with you for just an hour or two for this amount of money. You might be surprised by what you can do with a pro to lead the way.
How do interior designers charge the client for their services?
A variety of fee structures, based on factors such as complexity of the project, time requirements, and geographical location, will be used in combination to suit a client's particular needs:
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Fixed fee (or flat fee) -- The designer identifies a specific sum to cover costs, exclusive of reimbursement for expenses. One total fee applies to the complete range of services, from conceptual development through layouts, specifications and final installation.
- Hourly fee -- Compensation is based on actual time expended by the designer on a project or specific service.
- Percentage fee -- Compensation is computed as a percentage of construction/project costs.
- Cost plus -- A designer purchases materials, furnishings and services (e.g., carpentry, drapery workrooms, picture framing, etc.) at cost and sells to the client at the designer's cost plus a specified percentage agreed to with the client.
- Retail - The designer sells furnishings, furniture and all other goods to the client at retail rates to cover the designer's fee and services. This is most applicable to retail establishments offering design services.
- Per square foot - The designer charges fees based on the area of the project as might be calculated for large commercial properties.
In addition to the fee structures outlined above, a modest retainer will be required at the time of the initial consultation. A retainer is an amount of money paid by the client to the designer and applied to the balance due at the termination of the project. The retainer is customarily paid in advance of design services.
I fell that the best way to maintain a trusting, respectful relationship, and they have no financial incentive to rack up hours or encourage me to buy more expensive furniture.
