WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
Renderings are fun to look at, but if they don’t reflect your real life (and budget), what’s the point?
Couldn’t agree more—those glossy 3D images can be super misleading if they’re not grounded in reality. A few things I always look for:
- Designers who ask about how you actually *live*—not just what you want it to look like.
- Willingness to walk through your daily routines, like where you drop your keys or stash shoes.
- Straight talk about costs. If someone dodges the money convo, that’s a huge warning sign.
One thing I’d add: don’t be afraid to push back if something feels off. The best projects I’ve seen come from honest back-and-forth, not just nodding along to every suggestion.
If someone dodges the money convo, that’s a huge warning sign.
That’s spot on. I once worked with a designer who seemed great—until I started asking about eco-friendly materials and long-term energy costs. Suddenly, things got vague. If they can’t talk specifics, it’s a red flag for me.
Totally agree—if someone can’t talk numbers, it’s a dealbreaker. I learned that the hard way. When I started looking for someone to design my place, I figured the creative stuff would be the hardest part, but honestly, getting straight answers about costs and materials was way more stressful. Some folks just dance around the budget talk, or they’ll give you these vague “ballpark” figures that mean nothing once you actually get into the details.
I get that things can change during a project, but if they can’t even give you a rough breakdown of what’s going where, it’s not a good sign. I had one guy who kept saying, “We’ll figure it out as we go.” That’s not how I want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. If they’re not upfront about money, what else are they hiding? And yeah, when you start asking about stuff like energy efficiency or sustainable materials, it’s wild how quickly some people clam up or try to change the subject.
One thing I wish I’d done sooner is ask for references from people who’ve actually lived in homes they designed. Not just pretty photos—actual feedback on how the house functions and what the final bills looked like. It’s easy to get caught up in the vision boards and 3D renderings, but if you don’t have someone who’s transparent about costs and willing to explain their choices, you’re setting yourself up for headaches.
At the end of the day, if they can’t have an honest conversation about money, they’re probably not going to be honest about other stuff either. Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
You nailed it about the “we’ll figure it out as we go” types—never a good sign. I’ve seen projects spiral because nobody pinned down the numbers early on. Out of curiosity, did you ever get a detailed line-item estimate from anyone, or was it always just vague ranges? I always tell folks, if someone can’t break down costs for framing, finishes, mechanicals, etc., that’s a red flag.
I get that things shift—prices change, you might want to upgrade something—but there should still be a baseline. I’ve had clients who wanted to swap out materials halfway through, and as long as we’re all clear on what that does to the budget, it’s manageable. But if you’re getting stonewalled on basic info, that’s a problem.
When you asked for references, did anyone actually connect you with past clients, or was it just glossy portfolios? I’m always surprised how few people actually follow up with real homeowners. Makes me wonder if most folks just don’t want to hear the nitty-gritty before they sign on.
