Considering a Design Consultant
Periodically, Kim and I (Fred) consider getting a design consultant to help us plan out the house. Many nights spent watching HGTV has taught us that designers do bring value to the table, and unless you’re really good at home design, you probably can’t match what a good designer can do. Since neither Kim nor I are expert designers, we’re good candidates for help. In fact, I think our style changes slightly with each room we do. We usually end up with something we like in each room, but the flow of all the rooms together isn’t necessarily what it could be with a master plan guiding us.
Of course, the obvious (and potentially only) drawback to getting a designer involved in a project is the cost. With the high cost of talented labor in the US, a good designer can easily run north of $90/hr. So, that means getting the right designer, the first time, is important. I thought I’d take a moment to lay out the criteria that I would use to select a designer and see what you think.
The designer…
1. Must identify and communicate our style back to us. I would best describe this as someone who can look around our house, see what we like, and tell us what style that is. It would be really great if they could synthesize the few styles we like into a single, coherent style and explain what other components of that style would compliment our house. Then, they should be able to show us other work they’ve done that is similar to our style.
2. Appreciate working in a limited budget. The designer must be able to design the house without relying on expensive furnitures and materials to make it happen. Anyone can buy their way into style. I want a talented person with a 30%-off mindset.
3. Demonstrate an ability to provide a complete, actionable plan. It’s important that at the end of the day, the designer plans to deliver an actual plan for moving forward, and not only gives us some ideas. In order for me to feel like a design encounter was successful, I need to know how to execute the vision.
4. Realize he/she isn’t going to make a fortune off of us. The designer has to be able to layout, up front, how much we can expect to spend for each piece of work. I’m willing to pay by the hour as long as I know approximately how many hours I’m going to pay for, and what I’m going to get for those hours.
5. Make a good first impression. This somewhat intangible thing has always been important to me. A designer should look at each first consultation as a job interview. That’s what I would do, and it’s what I would expect. The designer should be on time, well dressed, and easy to get along with.
6. Deliver a price tag in this hemisphere. ‘Nuff said. $400/hr. just isn’t in the tea leaves, no matter how good you are.
What do you think? Would you add anything to my list of criteria? Have you had a good/bad experience with a designer?
February 7th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Very good list of considerations. We’re fortunate to have an Interior Designer as a good friend of the family, but my wife and I are going through a similar process: trying to find an architect.
I’d almost say that your criteria for finding a designer is almost the same as my criteria for finding an architect, with one exception: My architect must have modern skills, meaning s/he has to use technology to modern CAD programs so that we can exchange files, s/he has to be able to communicate via email, and s/he has understand the importance on integrating CAT5E (ie: ethernet) lines and additional power (for servers!) into the structure.
Surprisingly, some architects still use pencil and paper aren’t able to make changes quickly or exchange files with you. That’s cumbersome for everyone and puts constraints on my ability to work with him/her.
Anyway, liked the article and it is frighteningly along the same lines of what I’ve been doing as of late!
Cheers,
Jon
February 8th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Jon,
Good point–esp. about the exchanging files. So are you looking to add on to your current house or rebuild a whole new property?
Fred
February 8th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I am a HUGE believer in getting a little bit of design help. That said, I will note that the designer who ended up drawing up a plan for our kitchen created one that differed from my father’s original one by a mere three inches of peninsula extension. (note: my father is an engineer, not sure if that had something to do with it). The best part about working with a designer is the little things you don’t think of that they do - such as the two lights we had planned over the penninsula, which is now a single light fixutre b/c we didn’t think about the cabinet opening! Experience definitely matters. And if nothing else, working with a professional (even in a limited capacity) can help you simply feel more confident in your own choices.
Also, did you know that there are designers who specialize in certain tasks? You could get someone to just help you with a palette for the whole house for a very reasonable price tag if you wanted to use color to ensure the rooms connect/flow. Ideas, ideas …
February 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Mabel: I figured that you could get a designer to do a simple thing (like color coordination), but I didn’t know that some designers specialize in just that (although, now that you mention it, it makes sense). I know of someone who designs kitchens for a living - they are into both the design and build process (which is nice, because a little installation experience goes a long way in design).
We still haven’t decided whether we’re willing to shell out the bucks for a complete plan, but I think we’ll definitely get some help throughout the house. We’re at a point in the life of our basement where we’ll need to pick stone flooring soon. Its important that that choice is timeless-because I’m never going to replace it and we want to live here a long time.
Thanks for visiting!
Fred
February 8th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Before spending anything, you should try to get on HGTV. My wife and I were on “Designed to Sell” this season for our condo…there are other shows that you can sign up for, and it’s worth a shot. There’s a “Be on HGTV” link on their Web site…you should see if they’re filming anything in your area…
February 8th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Andy!! That is fascinating!! Do you have a post about it on your blog that you can pass on a link to? Kim and I are HGTV addicts! We would LOVE to get on - I just assumed its near impossible to do. I will definitely take a look and try to sign us up!
February 10th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Not on my blog, no…but here’s the link to our episode on HGTV’s site:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hdts/episode/0,1806,HGTV_15857_52386,00.html
Looks like a rerun isn’t airing until April…it was just on in mid-January too…oh well.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
OK, the link’s too long…easiest way to find it is to go to the HGTV Web site and search for HDTS-1301. Our episode should come up…though you can’t actually view it online. But you can see pics before and after.