WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
That’s a good point about tracking timelines—I’ve seen projects spiral when no one’s keeping tabs. Out of curiosity, do you ever ask designers how they handle unexpected delays or changes in scope? I find that’s where things can really go sideways if there’s no clear process.
do you ever ask designers how they handle unexpected delays or changes in scope? I find that’s where things can really go sideways if there’s no clear process.
That’s a smart question to bring up. In my experience, the best results come when both sides are upfront about how changes get handled—ideally, it’s all spelled out in the contract. Sometimes clients are surprised by how much a small change can impact the timeline or budget. Have you ever run into issues with communication styles? I’ve noticed that even with a solid process, mismatched expectations can cause friction.
Sometimes clients are surprised by how much a small change can impact the timeline or budget.
That’s so true. I’ve definitely been caught off guard by “just one more thing” turning into a bigger bill than expected. I always ask for a clear outline of what counts as extra, and how they’ll communicate those changes. Even then, sometimes it feels like designers and clients speak totally different languages... I guess it’s just part of the process, but being upfront about money stuff helps a lot.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
- 100% agree, the “one small change” thing can spiral.
- I always ask for a detailed scope of work—what’s included, what’s not, and how they handle surprises.
- Communication style matters too. Some designers are super visual, others are all about spreadsheets... make sure their approach matches how you process info.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for references or past project breakdowns. Sometimes that reveals how they handle bumps in the road.
- In my experience, clarity up front saves a lot of headaches (and dollars) later. But yeah, there’s always a bit of translation between creative vision and practical reality.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
I get the whole “clarity up front” thing, but honestly, I’ve found that even the most detailed scope of work can miss stuff once things get rolling. Designers love to talk about vision and process, but I want to know how they deal when something goes sideways—like, do they own their mistakes or just blame the contractor? References are good, but I’d push for specifics: ask about a project where things DIDN’T go to plan. That’s where you see their real stripes. Just my two cents...
