WHEN To Hire An Interior Designer?

We often think of interior design as the materials, and finishing touches of a project, the details that come together at the end. While this is true, the role of a designer extends far beyond “the pretty”. (Read more in our WHAT does an interior designer do? post). What it takes to see a project through to the finish line begins long before construction. With this, our next W in our five W’s and an H series dives deeper into WHEN you should hire an interior designer. 

Thinking about a project? Then you’re ready to call a designer. Whether a new home build, renovation or decor project, securing an interior designer is an important first step. While you may not hire a designer right away, gathering information and understanding timing is critical.

Here are seven reasons why hiring a designer as early as possible is beneficial.

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Many interior designers book several months (and sometimes upwards of a year!) in advance. If you have your heart set on working with a particular firm or specific designer, reaching out in the infancy of your project will help ensure you’re securing your ideal team.

I always recommend waiting for who you really want to work with and the best fit for your team, of course too if it makes sense for timing, budget etc.!

Giving ample time to not only understanding timing and availability, but also the budget implications of bringing on your ideal designer, is helpful to consider early on.

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Putting your A-Team together; designer, architect, builder, contractor etc., early on, means you’ll be able to start the collaboration process sooner, ensuring everyone is on the same page and working together from the start.

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A designer will often work alongside an architect in the early stages of the drawing process to collaborate on design details. Allowing more time to coordinate key structural details, helps prevent compromise in this area. While it may seem far too early, discussion points with regards to furniture placement and layouts is highly beneficial to ensure room sizes will accommodate expected pieces, both size and quantities.

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Depending on the scope and size of the project, hiring a designer early is beneficial in securing other important people and resources, ensuring preferred trades, and an ‘A’ team of other professionals required for your project. Having this in place provides reassurance and the ability for everyone on the team to be aware of timelines and expectation so they too, can plan accordingly.

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The design process takes longer than most people think. Understanding the timeline of the tasks at hand is important. Our ‘WHAT does an interior designer do?’ post sheds light on the intensity and complexity of our role.

From initial meetings of inspiration and information gathering, to design development through to completing the full drawing set, this is where all the heavy lifting of design happens. Depending on the size of the project, this part of the process can take upwards of six months or longer, before actual construction even begins.

I had a potential client tell me he had gone to the “school of HGTV”, so managing expectations and educating our clients regarding realistic timelines is a critical conversation upfront. Unfortunately, design doesn’t magically happen, OR take a fraction of the time, as often depicted on television. It’s an important conversation to have in the very early stages and helps shed light on the value interior designers bring.

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Bringing an interior designer on early gets the creative juices flowing. Rushing through the early stages of design is not ideal, so giving ample time for a designer to bring forth their best work will serve you and your project well. Having time to thoughtfully bring a space, or home to life without compromising is key to a successful project.

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It goes without saying, no design project is without some form of challenge. It’s highly likely, whether throughout the construction stage or furniture ordering process delays will be encountered. If you’re working towards a deadline, special occasion, or simply excited to see the project pulled together and complete, beginning the interior design process sooner than later provides a degree of allowance should project timelines shift.

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The earlier we’re brought into the process the greater the outcome. Planning ahead ensures a thoughtful approach, without compromising on design details throughout the course of your project. The design development takes longer than one might think.

If a designer is booking six months ++, in addition to the time it takes to complete the design, that timeframe COULD equal one year before ORDERS ARE IN PLACE, DEMO BEGINS OR EQUIPMENT GETS IN THE GROUND!!

A new build can be underway before the design package is fully complete, however we like to have as much considered as possible prior to the demolition of an existing home or digging into an open lot. {Approximate time to allow for: 12-24 months}

For renovations, we like to have the entire design set complete, with budget numbers received and signed off on, prior to demolition of the space or home. {Approximate time to allow for: 12-18 months}

Lastly, for projects of furniture and decor, the design and selection process also takes time. We still go through the inspiration and information gathering phase, source furniture, confirm the layouts to ensure our selections fit in the space, and of course place orders and wait for product to arrive before delivery and installation. {Approximate time to allow for: 6-12 months}

Planning to start a renovation, new build, or project in general in the next year to few years ?

We’d love to connect with you, learn more about your project and chat through some of the timelines mentioned above, and of course, whether we’d be the right fit for your design A-Team!

Hello!

Welcome. We’re so happy you’re here. Our goal is to be a leader in the interior design and lifestyle industry, known for our creativity, authenticity, professionalism and expertise, as a go to resource to learn, work with or simply be inspired. Thank you for spending time with us!

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