7 Questions to Ask When You Hire an Interior Designer

In 2020, 55% of homeowners in America made significant changes to their home decor. After spending so much time inside during the past two years during the pandemic, many other homeowners are planning to make even more changes to their interior design. 

When you are looking to make changes to your home, something that can help you create beautiful spaces is hiring an interior designer. 

Do you want to learn more about questions you should ask before you hire an interior designer? Keep reading these top seven things you should know before you hire a professional. 

1. What Is Your Pricing?

The first thing you need to do before working with any company is learning more about their pricing. Many interior designers charge different fees for their projects, so finding someone that will work with your budget will make sure you get the best services possible.

The price of your project will also depend on what changes you are making to your home. For example, if you are planning changes to the layout of your home or are making serious structural changes, the costs will likely increase. 

However, simple furniture planning or help with decor will not cost as much. 

You should also learn more about how an interior designer charges their clients. Do they work at a flat rate or do they charge you hourly? Other interior designers even will charge a percentage of the total project cost. 

Answering these questions will help you find a company that will work with your budget!

2. Do You Have Examples of Past Projects?

Another important part of hiring an interior designer is making sure they have plenty of experience working on residential design. By asking them for examples of past projects, you can make sure you like their style elements. 

Often, interior designers will have an online portfolio that showcases photos from their past projects. Looking through several portfolios will help you find someone that matches your design preferences!

3. What Other Services Do You Offer? 

Next, you need to learn more about the services that a company offers. While most companies offer similar services, you should be sure that you find a company that can help you with any aspect of your interior design project. 

For example, Murphey Maude not only offers help with residential and commercial design, but our team even offers original products, help with remodeling, and more. If you find an interior designer that offers each of these services, you can get help with any project from the beginning to the end. 

4. Have You Done Similar Projects?

Something else that you should ask your interior designer is whether or not they have done similar projects to yours in the past. You may be able to find the answer to this question when you look at their online portfolio, but you want to make sure they have plenty of experience. 

Looking at similar design projects will help you feel confident that your interior designer will be able to design your dream home and create a space that you love. You can also ask to see photos of the before and after of similar projects that your interior designer has completed. 

5. How Long Have You Been in the Industry? 

Another part of learning about an interior designer’s experience is to ask them how long they have been in the industry. Design styles have changed drastically over the years. While it is easy to design rooms that match the current trends and styles, you should find an interior designer that has created timeless designs. 

Hiring an interior designer that has been in the industry for several years means that you will have access to many different style elements. 

On the other hand, interior designers that have only been in the business for a few years may be more likely to focus on trends, rather than lasting style elements. 

6. What Are Your Credentials? 

Before you hire an interior designer, you also must learn more about their references and credentials. This will help you find an interior designer that has legitimate skills and that is qualified to help you with your project. 

You should make sure that your interior designer has graduated from a reputable interior design program. 

While credentials are important to make sure you are working with a reputable business, it is more important to see their work samples. This way, you can be sure that their design elements match your preferences and that you will be satisfied with the final result. 

7. Will You Work With My Deadlines? 

Finally, you need to find an interior designer that works with your deadlines! These projects can take months to complete. Whether you have to wait on furniture deliveries or if your interior designer is working on several projects at once, you need to make sure they will fit your needs. 

To make sure your interior designer will meet your deadlines and get the project done quickly, you should make sure they do not take on too many projects at once. This way, you will know that your project is a top priority and you will not have to worry about anything getting delayed. 

Want To Hire an Interior Designer?

When you hire an interior designer, you have to choose between your options very carefully. By asking your interior designer each of these interior design questions, you can find the best company to work with!

Do you want to hire an interior designer in Memphis, TN? Murphey Maude Interiors can help you create your dream home! We offer interior design services from residential design to furniture planning and more. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our design services or to set up a meeting with our interior designer professionals.