How to hire an interior designer
An interior designer plans and specifies interiors — where the fee structure, and whether they earn margin on the furniture they specify, is the thing worth understanding early.
Can be done online. Many interior designers work over video, so you are not limited to who is nearby. On Region Beacon, pick Online when you post a request and it reaches online businesses anywhere. All services
What the job usually involves
- Full-room or whole-house design.
- Space planning and layout.
- Specification of finishes, furniture and lighting.
- Procurement and project management.
- Consultation-only sessions for people doing the work themselves.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- How do you charge — flat fee, hourly, percentage of project, or cost plus?
- Do you take a margin on furniture you specify, and is it disclosed?
- What is the budget range you are designing to?
- What do I receive — drawings, a shopping list, project management?
- Do you handle ordering and delivery, and who is responsible if something arrives damaged?
- How many revisions are included?
Warning signs
- Undisclosed markup on specified products.
- No written budget range before design work begins.
- A deliverables list left vague, so "a design" means whatever arrives.
- Unlimited revisions promised, which usually means the scope is undefined.
Common questions
How do interior designers charge?
Flat fee per room or project, hourly, a percentage of the total project cost, or cost-plus on the items they procure — all are used. Each creates different incentives, particularly percentage and cost-plus, so ask which applies and whether product markup is included or additional.
Do I need a designer or a decorator?
Decoration covers finishes, furniture and styling within an existing layout. Design can involve changing the space itself, which may need drawings and coordination with contractors. Be clear which you want, because the scope and cost differ substantially.
What should I have ready before meeting a designer?
A realistic budget range, measurements or floor plans if you have them, photographs of the space, examples of what you like and dislike, and a clear sense of what must stay. A designer cannot work to a budget you have not decided on.
How does Region Beacon work for interior designers?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a interior designer's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from interior designers near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.