WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, sometimes “trust your gut” can backfire if you don’t have experience. I’ve seen people pass up great architects just because the initial mood didn’t click or the plans looked weird on paper. A house isn’t just about comfort—it’s about vision, too. Some of the best spaces I’ve lived in felt odd at first glance but turned out to be brilliant once you actually lived in them. Maybe it’s less about gut and more about finding someone who’ll challenge your assumptions a bit...
- You’re right, “gut feeling” isn’t always the best compass, especially if you haven’t done this before.
- I’ve seen people get thrown by a concept sketch that looks nothing like what they pictured, but that’s kind of the point—sometimes you need someone to push you out of your comfort zone.
- It’s not just about liking the person or their portfolio. Ask yourself: do they ask good questions? Do they challenge your ideas in a way that feels productive, not just agreeable?
- The best projects I’ve worked on started with a little friction and a lot of curiosity on both sides.
- Trust is important, but so is being open to surprise... sometimes the weirdest ideas end up being your favorite part of the house.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I’ve seen folks get way too hung up on finding someone who “gets” their vision right out of the gate. Honestly, if you’re not a little thrown by the first round of sketches, you might be playing it too safe. Some of my favorite builds started with ideas I thought were nuts at first. If your designer’s just nodding along and not pushing back, that’s a red flag for me. You want someone who’ll challenge you—otherwise, what’s the point of hiring a pro?
If your designer’s just nodding along and not pushing back, that’s a red flag for me.
I get wanting someone who’ll challenge you, but honestly, my main question is: how do you know if they’re worth the money? I’ve seen designers pitch wild stuff that looks cool but costs a fortune. I want someone creative, sure, but I also need them to respect my budget. Anyone else ever feel like you’re just paying for “vision” and then you’re left holding the bag when the quotes come in?
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
That’s a fair concern. I’ve definitely run into situations where the “vision” was impressive, but the reality check came with the budget. In my experience, the best designers are the ones who can balance creativity with practical constraints. If they’re not asking about your budget up front or showing you options at different price points, that’s a red flag for me. It’s easy to get swept up in big ideas, but at the end of the day, you need someone who’s just as invested in making it work financially as they are in making it look good.
