12 Questions to Ask When Hiring an Interior Designer

Interior design projects are a significant investment in time and money. So it’s important to ensure that you hire the right interior designer for the job. When interviewing design firms, ask about their experience, design process, and project management style so you can determine if it all aligns with your own vision and needs.

The questions below are a good starting point anytime you’re hiring an interior designer.

1. What kind of design experience do you have?

When hiring an interior designer, you need to make sure they have the specific experience you need for your design project. So be sure to ask how long they’ve been working as an interior designer and how many similar projects they have done.

For instance, if you are planning a kitchen remodel, you want assurance that the designer has done several previous kitchen remodels with successful results. Ask to see their portfolio of work—including before, in-progress, and after pictures of similar projects.

2. What is your design style?

A professional interior designer should be able to adapt to any style their client desires. On the other hand, there are designers who specialize in a more specific style.

Whether you lean toward modern, traditional, eclectic, serene, or any other design style, many designers can find a way to incorporate your preferences into their work. But that’s not always the case. You might get better results if the design style they lean toward matches with your own creative vision.

3. How do you involve clients in the design process?

This question aims to ensure that you and the interior designer will be on the same page. It can help you set clear expectations on how much or how little you want to participate as the project gets underway.

When asking about client involvement, find out how they handle differing opinions with their clients. You may not love all the ideas your designer presents. If that’s the case, would they be willing to go back to the drawing board and offer new designs?

You want to hire an interior designer who values your honesty and openness. After all, it is your home renovation.

4. What are your fees, and can you work within my budget?

When looking to hire a professional interior designer, the budget should be part of the discussion from the very beginning. Find out their fee structure: Do they charge a flat fee for each job or an hourly rate? Then determine if the total cost fits within your budget.

If the designer’s fees exceed your budget, it’s a good idea to see if they can recommend other services or local designers who may be a better match for you.

5. What is the expected timeline for my project?

Even if the designer can complete the design project within your budget, you need to know their timing—and whether it will work for you.

If the designer promises a timeline that seems a little too quick, you may worry that they will rush your project. Or maybe the person you’re interested in hiring is too busy on other design projects and unable to start for a few months. For the interior designer to be a good fit, they should be able to give a feasible timeline that also works for you.

6. What is your communication style?

When hiring an interior designer, it’s a good idea to ask them when you can expect to receive updates on the project. Also find out how they will generally communicate with you—whether it’s via phone call, text, or email.

This is also your opportunity to talk about what parts of the project you want to be kept in the loop on. For instance, do you want to know when every milestone is completed and any glitches that come up? Or do you prefer that the designer proceeds according to your agreement and lets you know only when there are changes to the plan?

7. Can you provide references from similar projects?

By looking at a designer’s portfolio (or their social media posts), you’ll see their style, experience, and quality of work. The more experience the designer has with projects similar to yours, the less likely they are to make mistakes that can add costs or delays to your project.

Also ask for references from similar projects. When speaking with those references, ask questions to determine if the designer was pleasant to work with and if they achieved the client’s desired look on schedule, within budget, and with no significant problems during the design process.

8. How do you collaborate with contractors?

Ask if the designer has a team of preferred professionals with whom they regularly collaborate. What builders, contractors, vendors, and brands have they worked with before? How do they coordinate with these parties during the design and implementation phases?

This will give you insight into their professional network and contacts. If the designer has good relationships, that could mean they have access to discounts that can save money on your end. But even if there are no discounts available, just having a designer who can recommend reputable builders and contractors is an asset in and of itself.

9. Do you incorporate sustainability and ethical practices?

When a home’s interior is designed for sustainability, that can help reduce its carbon footprint, preserve natural resources, and reduce waste to prevent pollution. Implementing certain design practices can also help improve indoor air quality and eliminate harmful toxins in our homes.

Ask the designer how they incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly practices into their designs and how they ethically source the materials they’ll be using. 

10. How do you approach problem-solving?

Problems can arise during any home design project, so it’s essential to know how the designer has handled challenges with their prior projects. Ask them to provide an example where they explain the problem and share the steps they took to solve it.

This question will help you understand how they approach a challenge and what they learned from the experience to prevent it from happening again.

11. Do you handle all the details related to furnishings?

One of the benefits of hiring an interior designer can be the facilitation of the furnishing process. But every interior designer’s process is different. So make sure to ask your interior designer whether they handle all these details.

At Well-Designed Home, we handle everything so you don’t have to—ordering, tracking, unpacking, inspection, and installation of furnishings. This also includes the storage of your furnishings in a temperature-controlled environment while your remodel is completed, as well as white glove delivery for installation. If something comes in damaged, we handle the process of getting it replaced. 

12. What does your contract include?

Before hiring an interior designer, be clear on what is and is not included in their contract so there are no costly surprises later. Also ask how they would handle changes to the initial agreement if needed.

Interior design services such as spatial planning, design drawings, specifications for materials, finishes and fixtures, project management, purchasing, procurement, and installation could be part of their standard package, but this varies from one designer to the next.

End-to-end design services

At Well-Designed Home, our design services support our clients in several areas—from space planning and home renovation and remodeling to new construction from the ground up. Melinda and the design team work with clients from the beginning of the project, through demolition and construction, and upon installation and move-in. 

Whether you are looking to complete a major remodel or a minor home renovation, book a complimentary discovery call with us today.