Living in a pleasing environment is one thing that everybody wishes and can be achieved only by having someone who can understand our aspirations and can convert those into reality. A
good interior designer is the one who can not only help you make your dream house but can also make the journey enjoyable. We at
Green Hat Studio, always try to make sure that our clients first step in the house should be filled with positivity, without any grudge or negative emotion.
Skilled, Good Interior Designer
This brings us to the most important question, ‘How do we get an appropriate and skilled interior designer?’ Listed below are 5 easy ways to help you achieve this:
- Reference: The best way is to get a designer who has worked for someone you know. Check with neighbors, colleagues, friends. Now a days, it is very easy to get such references as many new buyers are seeking professional help to design their houses.
- Search engine: In case you do not know anybody who can recommend you a good designer, then shortlist a few designers using the search engine, social media or interior design platforms. Shortlisting criteria can be simple, just select the one who has done the kind of work you like. Next step is to fix up an appointment and meet her/him with a questionnaire (It is important that you should not miss anything so proper homework is recommended. Also try and meet the designer in their office. This will give you an idea of how established is the firm).
- Experience: Since you don’t know the designer, it is safe to go with an experienced one albeit inexperienced designer is also not a bad option as there is a possibility of getting good discount and he/she will be much more proactive in order to get their foot established in the market
- Have they done similar kind of project recently and what has been the budget for the same? In case you don’t wish to disclose the budget, this will help you understand if he/she can work within your allocated budget for the project. Many established brands can also be reluctant in considering a small budget project.
- What is the process involved? – Understanding the process is important to get more transparency. Designer should be able to elaborate on the process involved for designing, approvals and execution. In case a proper method is not followed then there are bound to be surprises in the future. (To learn more about the processes, feel free to download your e-book from www.greenhatstudio.in)
- Schedule of site visits – It should not happen that execution is left completely on the mercy of drawings and contractors’ understanding of those drawings. There is a possibility that the contractor might misinterpret the drawing, so a proper vigil is required during the execution stage.
- Are 3D views included in the package? Understanding of project is of utmost importance to the client and 3D’s are best tool to visualize and avoid any conflict on a later stage. Not every client is well versed in understanding 2D drawings. 3D drawings get the client closer to reality and is a good confidence builder in achieving the desired goal.
- How much time will the process involve? It is important that both the parties are on the same page with respect to timelines. Many a times we get to know that clients are living in a rented accommodation and they have to vacate it in a specified time. If there are strict timelines to be followed, then that has to be clear and agreed upon before the designer is on board.
- Agreement: Designer should not be reluctant in getting involved in a signed agreement before the start of the project. It is important to understand the scope of services for both sides. This has to be in black and white and it has to be ascertained that every point is covered and agreed upon. This is important especially when you do not know the designer through any reference.
- Willingness and open to ideas: Promptness in replies can give you an idea if the designer is willing to work on the project or not. It may happen that the size of the project is small and the designer is reluctant to say no. In such cases if you find there is less response from the designer’s side, then assume that it is time to move on to the next option. Secondly, the designer has to be a team player and should be willing to listen to client’s ideas as well. One way conversations often bring dissatisfaction to one of the sides. So a healthy and constructive dialogue is imperative.
A healthy partnership can make or break a project. Needless to say that it has to show signs of compatibility, understanding, respect and maturity to move ahead.
