What are the benefits of hiring an interior designer?
- Connections: Hiring an interior designer is the equivalent of getting keys to the interior design city. Contractors, tradespeople, vendors, architects, and furnishing connections. Essentially, we have a guy for everything.
- We save you money and know where it’s worth to spend: Our specs and drawings help various project elements get executed properly the first time to minimize the risk of mistakes on site. We help you stay within budget and make the best and most informed decisions regarding the best places to allow yourself to go over budget as it applies to ROI & Resale Value as well as what YOU value as individuals.
- We make the job run smoother and help you stay on the timeline: We provide selection guidance and sequencing, process integration between all parties (including clients, builders, trades, architects, etc.) as well as project organizational assistance.
- We are your unbiased go-to on aesthetics: We are here to help you bring your vision to life and know how to execute it properly. We provide unbiased support and a third-party point of view to help when multiple decision-makers (partners, spouses, children, housemates, etc.) are at a stalemate if needed.
- Education and experience: All of our staff have an understanding of construction principles as well as a design education background at the college level. Cumulatively our ownership has over 30 years of experience in the industry
Why is the selection sequencing in the order that it is and can it be adjusted?
- This is the order your contractor and subcontractors will need the information to execute the project, efficiently and effectively. We can always jump ahead and then back, but the timing of the original sequencing must stay the same. For instance, if plumbing is due on May 4th, we can go select cabinets or countertops or both before then even if they aren’t due till June 24th, but we still have to have plumbing turned in, signed off, and ordered by May 4th.
Can I go shopping for materials on my own?
- Absolutely, you are free to do as you wish. However, there are some disadvantages to this approach. By not utilizing the vendors with whom we and your contractors have established connections, you may be forfeiting the most efficient and streamlined build process. This may include but is not limited to:
- Added costs and fewer discounts
- Slower lead times for materials due to lack of solid relationship with vendor
- It is more difficult to ensure no inaccuracies in paperwork due to varying styles from the vendors we are used to
- We the vendors that provide the most value - this is not just in the cost of goods, but also the quality of customer service on the back end, cleanest paperwork, and most reliable communication, they store and deliver and have the most quality and honest business practices
- And lastly, a large part of the design service you’re paying for is project assistance in regards to proper specification paperwork - if you are taking meetings at vendors and making selections and decisions without us, you are waiving this element of your service for said item and we cannot be held responsible for any issues or inconsistencies in the paperwork that may arise because of it.
Can I use my existing furniture?
- Absolutely! We love incorporating as much of YOU and your family into your home design as possible. We invite you to please communicate with us what pieces of your furniture you would like incorporated into your space plan, which accessories or yours you would like incorporated into your styling, and if you feel comfortable please share with us why these items are important. This will all help us create a design that is as meaningful for you as possible. Please feel free to add photos and explanations to your “Client Inspo” slides once you have received those and we will review them during the conceptual phase and keep these items in mind throughout the process.
How involved will I need to be in the project?
- With Full-Service Design, you can choose to be as involved or uninvolved as you choose. Your involvement is up to you. With this level of service, we help you through every step of the way and do all of the design related leg work for you so that you don’t have to. We can handle everything from start to finish or we can work collaboratively with you on every detail or anywhere in between.
What happens if I change my mind on any selections during the design process?
- We understand that design is a collaborative and sometimes ever-evolving process and revisions may be necessary at times. We include a round of revisions for each selection item during the selection phase. Any additional revisions beyond these will cause for accumulation of additional fees and run the risk of other possible project complications.
How do I know what my style is?
- We can help you with this. We have a client resource video that can help and you can request a special meeting with us and we can sit down and walk you through images, terminology, etc. to help you find your interior design style.
Why do I need all of this documentation?
- This documentation is vital for your contractor, build team, subcontractors, & tradesmen on site to stay on track during the build, properly execute the design, and help the team as a whole to place final orders per specifications.
Do I have to buy my furniture through you and do you markup furniture?
- You do not have to buy your furniture through us though we suggest you verify sizing and style with us before purchase. We can get you special discounts with many furniture vendors which can be beneficial to having us purchase. We do not markup products we get “designer discounts” on, but we do on “wholesale” products to cover taxes, shipping, storage, delivery, etc. but you will still be receiving a major discount off MSRP.
When can we move in furniture?
- We do not recommend moving in your furniture until after the final inspection(s) and final cleaning have taken place and your project has received a “Certificate of Occupancy.”