Costs, timing, and tips to finding and working with one
Undoubtedly working with a designer can not only add value to your home, but also ensure you get a home that you truly love. Talented designers don't come cheap and are certainly an investment. That's why it is so important to understand what you're getting into when working with one. We selected a designer to help in the early stages of our build, but unfortunately it became too costly and we had to move on solo. Here is everything you need to know when venturing down the interior designer path.
Depending on where you live, decorators will vary in price. Here in Chicago I have found the going rate to be around $120 to $200+ per hour. Most work hourly, but some will work for a flat rate and a set number of hours. If your designer has a team, be prepared to pay hourly rates for the Jr. designers and potentially even for their book-keeper. It should also be noted that most will also bill for travel-time and related expenses.
In addition to the hourly rate, designers can sometimes charge fees for using their preferred service provider. It's almost a "finders fee" so-to-speak. Part of their business is ensuring that installs go smoothly and that the work done is top notch, this comes with a price that can be passed down to the client.
Furthermore, designers charge clients full retail on products and keep the discounted difference (usually 20%). This applies to tile, lighting, plumbing fixtures, furniture, accessories, etc. Ordering and tracking these things can be time consuming so this markup acts as a fee. If you are working with a builder that passes along their builders discount, make sure to clear that with your designer first before signing any contract. If you do end up ordering through your designer, you will also be responsible for warehousing fees to store the materials that they purchase and pay moving fees as needed.
With all of the costs, it's no surprise how quickly things can add up, especially when designing an entire house. My advice based on past experiences is as follows:
1. Choose a designer that is the right fit for you and your family:
There are SO many talented designers out there it can be hard to choose. Start local and interview designers with aesthetics you find most appealing. If you are building from the ground up, make sure you find a designer with solid experience....rehabs and remodels are very different! Find out their rates and fees before signing a contract and understand what is included in the contract.
2. Set a budget:
Using the hourly rate from above, guestimate how many design hours it will take. This can really vary per person but as a starting point, 40 hours for an entire house of finish selections would be a decent allotment if you are very efficient at making decisions and let the designers do their thing. As a point of reference we designed our condo's kitchen + sitting area with designers and it took over 10 hours in total. Also make sure to factor in additional fees as mentioned above.
Additionally, make sure you set a budget for the interior designers to work with. See my blog article "How to budget for a new home build " for more on that. Designers are not responsible for coming up with budgets, however, they should be accountable for staying within one.
3. Start early:
Don't wait until your floorplan is designed. Designers can have ideas that you wouldn't dream of so be sure to include them from the beginning.
4. Prioritize:
If the costs are too great, then focus on having one main area designed such as the kitchen and/or primary bathroom.
In the end, a well designed house can pay off in the long run and not to mention bring you so much joy. If an interior designer doesn't fit within your budget and you need help with sourcing finishes, or need help with selections, I can help! Reach out via my contact form in the menu.
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