Common Mistakes in Hiring an Interior Designer – Part 1

1.  NOT TAKING A PROPER BUSINESS APPROACH (CAVEAT EMPTOR):

• Take responsibility and do not become a victim!
• Know with whom you are doing business!
• Anyone can call themselves an “interior designer” (or decorator) no matter what their qualifications are.
• Research several interior designers before hiring someone.
• Get a list of “Interior Designers” in your area
• Check them out thoroughly!  See our earlier article.

2.  NOT BEING CLEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS:

• Have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish.
• Find similar examples of what you are looking for.
• Ask yourself: do you really need professional help?
• Can you afford the time and money it will take?

3.  NOT CHECKING THEIR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ask them if they are a “Licensed Interior Designer”
• How long have they been practicing as an interior designer?
• Do they have any interior design education?
• What interior design related examinations have they taken and passed?

4.  NOT CHECKING THEIR WORK:

• Call their references.
• Look at recent work done by them, and try to visit their projects.
• Ask how long the different projects took to complete.
• Ask if their projects came in on budget or not.

5.  NOT GETTING A PROPER AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT:

• Ask them to prepare a letter of agreement or an interior design contract.
• If you have an attorney, run it by them. There is a lot of money at stake!
• Make sure the agreement spells out the scope of work to be performed by the interior designer.
• Make sure the agreement spells out the fees to be paid to the interior designer.
• Make sure the agreement spells out how and when the fees are to be paid.
• Make sure the agreement has a dispute resolution clause in the case of a disagreement between you and the interior designer.
• Ask about their insurance coverage for anything you purchase from them.

Have you made any of these Common Mistakes in Hiring an Interior Designer?  Need an Interior Design Lawyer to defend your rights?  Contact Us today to represent your case at 305-326-0330.

Thanks and credit is given to the California Council for Interior Design Certification for this article.