Interior Designers | Local Services

With the rise of the TV makeover show and an increased interest in home design, more and more people are choosing to put their home designs in the hands of a professional interior designer.

However, how do you go about choosing an interior designer and what do you need to do in order to get the most out of the substantial fees that they will charge.

Whether you are going to ask them to help you with one room or an entire home makeover, employing the right interior designer is vital if you want to get the results that you desire. An Interior Designer will help to match your wants, needs and personality with colours, fabric and furniture to create an environment that works for you. Employing the right Interior Designer can make all the difference to the success of the project.

An Interior Designer is specially trained and often licensed in Interior Design. Usually, they have a background in architectural drawing and hold a wide expertise in building and contract jargon. An Interior Decorator, whether or not professionally trained, will have a flair for home d�cor. In either case, choose a person who is highly experienced, a strong listener and with whom you can build a solid rapport.

Finding the Right Interior Designer
Before you even begin looking for an Interior Designer, do you own evaluation of the work you want undertaken. The more organised you are before your employ your designer; the more likely that person will be better able to assist you in decorating your home.

There are now many ways to find and contact Interior Designers. By far the best way is by personal recommendation. However, this does rely on knowing people who have used, and been happy with, the designers. Don't be too swayed by your friends' opinions. They might well recommend a professional who came up with the goods, within the budget and on time. Remember that your friend gave the Interior Designer a brief to which he or she would have worked. A good Interior Designer will be able to work with your style too. Some methods of locating Interior Designers are:

Ask family, friends, neighbours and work associates for a reference.
Search the Internet.
Browse listings in the phone book.
Call your local Chamber of Commerce.
Visit area showcase and model homes.- look in the property press for adverts of show homes in your area.
Note Interior Designer and Decorator's names listed in decorating magazines.
Many large shops offer home interior design services.

Interior Design Checklist
Once you have created a list of the projects you wish to be undertaken, be prepared to make numerous 'phone calls and search websites get more information.
The preparation of a typed list of questions, printed in advance of the call, will help keep information ordered. At the top of each interview sheet, list the name of the Interior Designer, phone number and contact person. Discussions might include:

Interior Design experience.
Subcontractors' insurance
Charges for products and services.
Can the work be done within your budget?
Availability
Deadlines

Additionally, discuss your proposed project in depth, and see if they express a genuine interest in it.

Once you have made your short list of Designers, meet with the Interior Designer and Decorators in the room(s) you wish to decorate. Ask the Interior Designer or Decorator to bring a portfolio of their work to the meeting. They should be able to produce examples with a wide array of styles to show their versatility. Be prepared to share your notebook of magazine clippings and notes you have made so he or she might be able to get a feel for your taste.

As you are meeting with each designer or decorator, there are important details to note. If he or she arrived on time can indicate future adherences to the deadlines you have set. During your discussions, observe if you feel he or she is listening to you and there is an even exchange of information. Ask yourself if you feel chemistry with the Interior Designer or Decorator.

Once you have made the decision to employ a particular Interior Designer, be sure to put your agreement in writing. This document should include an explanation of the steps he or she intends to make, deadlines and all costs including the design fees. This step can save a lot of future disappointments and extra costs. The most important aspect of choosing an Interior Designer or Decorator is that you feel comfortable with that person as he or she will be spending a lot of time in your home. Using your knowledge from these steps should help make that process a bit easier.

Further Information
British Interior Design Association (www.bida.org)
Design Directory (www.designdirectory.co.uk