When to Hire a Designer Before Starting Construction

One of the biggest things we talk about with our clients and our shoppers is when to bring in an interior designer. Should you wait until you’ve already had a general contractor gut your entire home? Definitely not! Should you always bring in an interior designer before starting a project? Well, candidly, the answer is MAYBE! Let’s get into the details.

Consider the purpose of your remodel

Resale - If you’ve purchased a home with the intention of renovating it and selling it within 3-5 years, or turning it into a rental property, you’ll want to make budget-friendly choices with little design risk. This is simply the best investment strategy, and we’d encourage you to go at this sans-designer! There may be small mistakes and life-lessons you make along the way, but overall, the goal here is Return On Investment. You can do it!

Reside - On the other hand, any property that you intend to own and/or live in for 3+ years may be a candidate for design.

What’s the scale of the project?

Ground up build - When it comes to a new build, we’re almost always going to recommend hiring a designer first. With the required investment of a new build, you don’t want to be making costly mistakes! I can break this down further in a future blog, but ultimately, you don’t want a designer to be limited by the construction that’s already been done! The possibilities are endless when building from the ground up!

Remodels and Additions - When considering structural changes and/or really any cabinetry at all, you’ll want the help of a designer. Even if you’re working with a skilled craftsman, you may come up with a lot of questions that a designer will be able to field for you!

Refresh - If you’re looking to change paint colors, cabinet hardware, or countertop material, you may not need a designer for this scope! In fairness, paint can be very tricky to pick, and you may want the help! But if you’re confident, this could be a time where you move forward without a designer!

How do you plan to use the space?

Some spaces with funky layouts or dimensions may require the talent of a designer to determine the best function! If you stand in the space and think, “I just literally don’t know what you can do with this!!” Or, “why is it so weird?!” Then a designer may be your solution!

Customization

Builder Grade - If you’re more motivated by economical pricing than visual cohesion and creativity, then you can do this solo!

Creativity - If you want your space to reflect your own values, culture, and personality, it may be time to reach out to a designer.

Lighting design

When it comes to any construction project, lighting design makes a HUGE IMPACT! From the height of the wall sconces, to the location of the floor outlet (for table lamps), this is all something that your designer will help you with!

Furniture Planning

Something I like to remind people is, once it’s built…it costs a lot of money to move things around. Working with a designer will insure that your home’s structure is appropriate for where we want to go with furniture! If you’re a cozy reading-nook girlie, then we need to be building that in! If you’re the 15’ sectional for everyone to pile on type, then we need to be building towards that! Furniture Planning CAN and WILL dictate building plans!

Furnishings and Accessories

Let’s say you’ve built your beautiful home, but you are getting caught up in the choices — “How do I style these shelves?!” “What art do I hang in the hall, and at what height?” “I thought I would like this rug but now I hate it?!” It’s time! You’re ready to work with a designer! 

At the end of the day, the choice is yours! If you want a designer to take the burden off your plate, that’s understandable! But if you’d rather try a refresh on your own, it’s important to consider just how much risk and decisions you’re willing to take on. A designer is skilled at thinking through the entire project, before it even starts - it’s what they do every day! So, for larger projects, it truly is best to bring your designer in as soon as possible! If you’re ready to take that first step, click the button below and get started!