Style can be tweaked, but if they can’t communicate clearly or keep things moving, it’s just stress all the way down.
That’s the truth right there. I’ve seen folks get totally wowed by a designer’s portfolio, only to end up stuck in endless back-and-forths because the plans were missing details or didn’t match what the city wanted. Communication is everything. If you can’t get a straight answer about how they handle changes or unexpected issues, that’s a red flag.
One thing I’d add—don’t just look at their finished projects. Ask to see a set of actual working drawings or specs from a past job (with client info blacked out, obviously). You can tell a lot from how organized and thorough those are. If you’re staring at a bunch of hand-scribbled notes or generic templates, that’s probably how your project will go too.
I’d also say, don’t underestimate the value of someone who’s local or at least familiar with your area’s permitting quirks. My first go-round, I hired someone from out of town because their rates were lower. Ended up spending way more time (and money) fixing stuff they missed because they didn’t know our city’s weird rules about eaves and setbacks.
And yeah, “problem-solving over style” is huge, but I’d argue you still want someone who gets your vibe. If you’re butting heads over every little design choice, it gets old fast. There’s gotta be some chemistry there, even if it’s just mutual respect.
Last thing—if they’re cagey about references or past clients, walk away. The good ones are proud of their work and happy to connect you with people who’ll vouch for them.
Couldn’t agree more about the value of someone who knows the local quirks. I’ve had projects where a designer from out of town just didn’t “get” the weird local rules—ended up costing way more time than we expected. I’d also add, don’t be afraid to ask for references and specifics about how they handle changes mid-project. If they can’t talk you through their process in plain language, that’s usually a sign things might get messy down the line. Chemistry counts, too… you’re gonna spend a lot of time hashing out details, so it helps if you don’t dread their emails.
I hear you on the local quirks—my first meeting with a designer, I was shocked by how many random city codes they rattled off that I’d never even heard of. I’m still not sure how to tell if someone’s just talking a good game or actually knows their stuff, though. Has anyone here ever run into a situation where a designer’s “process” sounded great on paper but fell apart once things got complicated? I’m worried about getting stuck with someone who can’t adapt when plans change mid-build.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
You know, I actually had the opposite experience with my last designer. She was super by-the-book with codes and processes, but once we hit a snag (unexpected plumbing issue—classic), she pivoted way faster than I expected. I get that some folks can talk a big game, but sometimes those “processes” are what help them stay flexible when things go sideways. It’s not always a red flag if they sound rehearsed... sometimes it means they’ve been through the wringer before and know how to handle curveballs. Just my two cents.
That’s interesting, because I’ve heard both sides—some people say a rigid process makes designers inflexible, others say it’s what keeps things on track when stuff hits the fan. I’m curious, did your designer walk you through her process up front? I feel like understanding how they handle surprises is just as important as their portfolio... but maybe I’m overthinking it. How much detail did you get before signing on?
