Eight Steps in Hiring an Interior Designer

1. ASK TO SEE THEIR PORTFOLIO - How extensive is their work? Is there portfolio well-organized? Look for published photos, magazine articles, newspaper stories, etc. Ask yourself if you’d be happy with any of those styles.
2. WHAT ARE THEIR CREDENTIALS? - Most designers have gone to design school and are members of one of the national academies or associations such as ASID or NKAB. Verify that their membership is current.
3. DO THEY HAVE A FAVORITE STYLES? - Frequently designers specialize in certain looks – classical, transitional, eclectic, contemporary, etc. You’ll find that it works out for the best if you recognize your compatibility early. It will make a difference.
4. WILL THEY KEEP A FILE ON YOU OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME? - How well organized does the designer appear to be. If you are embarking on a long range project, does the designer maintain good records?
5. TELL THE DESIGNER WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACHIVE AND WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS - Establish the project's scope and budget up front. Show the designer pictures that you like and don’t like. Do they listen carefully and take notes? Were they able to recite back to you what your needs and wants are? If you are on a tight budget, ask about ways to save money to cut the overall cost of the job. Maybe you can do some of the painting yourself. Perhaps you can spread a big project out over time and do the project piecemeal, one item at a time.
6. ASK HOW THEY CHARGE - You’ll want to determine exactly what the designer’s fees are. How will you be billed? When are you expected to make deposits? For how much? When will the work be completed? Will you be required to receive items one at a time as they are shipped or does the designer have a facility that will store everything until it is ready to be delivered together? Will the designer charge you by the hour for phone calls, shopping trips, in-home consultations? Will the designer purchase and resell product to you? Will the designer pass on to you their full discount? Will they charge a flat fee for the project? Or if you purchase items through them will they charge cost plus (wholesale plus markup).
7. YOUR AGREEMENT - Signing a written contract that spells out your agreement before the work begins protects you. It should clarify the services the designer will provide, when he or she will be on site, whether the designer or someone else will oversee the work, how you will be billed, how to handle cost overruns and the projected time frame for completion.
8. REFERNCES - Always check at least three business references. How long has the designer been in business? Find out by talking to previous clients what they liked and what they didn’t like about working with the designer. If they had it to do over again would they still hire this individual? In checking references, you’ll want to confirm that all information given to you by the designer is true.

FCA - Floor Covering Associates Inc. retains full time Interior Designers who are qualified to help you with all of your flooring and home furnishings decisions. Simply call for an appointment.
877-678-6789. You’ll be happy you did!

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