Interior Design and how much would services cost?

Kristie · 03-08-2008, 08:06 PM

Hopefully Tanya can help me out with this one.. but if anyone wants, please feel free to chip in!!

my house needs help....I've been wanting to design this place and get it a helluva lot more functional that it actually is... i constantly want HGTV for ideas and i have some great ideas but have no idea on how to go about getting things started or whatever...

so, i'm thinking about hiring an interior designer to help me out....

Question is.. how would i go about finding a good designer and how much would one expect to be paid?? What qualifications should i ask about and what should i have ready for them to come over and evaluate?

I'm thinking some of the rooms just need finishing touches...maybe additional paint (i don't really know what colors are good together) or rearrangement or just basic style (of which i don't have much knowledge)...

one things for sure, we have some serious lighting issues (as in just not enough light at night) and no blueprint plans to work off of for electrical wiring...I dread the whole "drywall" holes thing with just trying to find wiring or plumbing alone.

any advice is appreciated

Bigsweetie · 03-09-2008, 06:08 AM

Hi Kristie!

Whom you need to hire depends on what work you want done. If you're just looking to paint and rearrange furniture (or possibly buy a few pieces), hire an interior DECORATOR. If you're looking for a complete remodel (new kitchen or bathroom, knocking down walls, etc.) hire an interior DESIGNER. There is a huge difference between the two.

A decorator needs no formal training (although many have a two yr. degree) and little to no knowlege of electrical, plumbing, building codes, etc. A designer will have a four year degree (minimum) and should be licensed (not always though, i'm not licensed, but it's not required in my state). If you go the designer route, find one that's NCIDQ Certified (i.e.- licensed) and has been in business for a while. Also check references for both types.

Once you find the right person, have an idea of what you percieve as the problem areas of your house. You don't need solutions, just know what you want fixed. Also, it's helpful (although not necessary) to cut out things from magazines that you like. Write down what you like about the picture (is it the colors, or is it a particular style, or is it the arrangement of the furniture, etc.). That will help your decorator or designer understand your style. Be specific about what you liked in the pics though.

The person you choose should not make any decisions without coming to your home. No paint colors should be chosen, etc. w/o a site visit.

What to pay? It really varies based on experience and training. A decorator with no formal training probably 15-25/hour. A decorator with a 2yr. degree or a trade school degree 25-50/hour. A licensed designer with a 4 yr. degree probably 50+/hour. These are just guesses on my part. I haven't been in the industry in a few years and I don't know if the pricing is different in your part of the country.

My experience is more in commercial design than residential otherwise i'd offer to come out there and help you myself.

Good luck! I hope I was helpful!

CCampbell · 05-07-2008, 08:04 AM

Hi Kristie,
I know you posted this 2 months ago but you can also check websites like ASID.org and IIDA.org to find certified designers in your area.

03-08-2008, 08:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,653 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Interior Design and how much would services cost? Hopefully Tanya can help me out with this one.. but if anyone wants, please feel free to chip in!! my house needs help....I've been wanting to design this place and get it a helluva lot more functional that it actually is... i constantly want HGTV for ideas and i have some great ideas but have no idea on how to go about getting things started or whatever... so, i'm thinking about hiring an interior designer to help me out.... Question is.. how would i go about finding a good designer and how much would one expect to be paid?? What qualifications should i ask about and what should i have ready for them to come over and evaluate? I'm thinking some of the rooms just need finishing touches...maybe additional paint (i don't really know what colors are good together) or rearrangement or just basic style (of which i don't have much knowledge)... one things for sure, we have some serious lighting issues (as in just not enough light at night) and no blueprint plans to work off of for electrical wiring...I dread the whole "drywall" holes thing with just trying to find wiring or plumbing alone. any advice is appreciated __________________ www.jetcareers.com

03-09-2008, 06:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bigsweetie Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clinton Township, Michigan Posts: 1,567 Recipes: Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Interior Design and how much would services cost? Hi Kristie! Whom you need to hire depends on what work you want done. If you're just looking to paint and rearrange furniture (or possibly buy a few pieces), hire an interior DECORATOR. If you're looking for a complete remodel (new kitchen or bathroom, knocking down walls, etc.) hire an interior DESIGNER. There is a huge difference between the two. A decorator needs no formal training (although many have a two yr. degree) and little to no knowlege of electrical, plumbing, building codes, etc. A designer will have a four year degree (minimum) and should be licensed (not always though, i'm not licensed, but it's not required in my state). If you go the designer route, find one that's NCIDQ Certified (i.e.- licensed) and has been in business for a while. Also check references for both types. Once you find the right person, have an idea of what you percieve as the problem areas of your house. You don't need solutions, just know what you want fixed. Also, it's helpful (although not necessary) to cut out things from magazines that you like. Write down what you like about the picture (is it the colors, or is it a particular style, or is it the arrangement of the furniture, etc.). That will help your decorator or designer understand your style. Be specific about what you liked in the pics though. The person you choose should not make any decisions without coming to your home. No paint colors should be chosen, etc. w/o a site visit. What to pay? It really varies based on experience and training. A decorator with no formal training probably 15-25/hour. A decorator with a 2yr. degree or a trade school degree 25-50/hour. A licensed designer with a 4 yr. degree probably 50+/hour. These are just guesses on my part. I haven't been in the industry in a few years and I don't know if the pricing is different in your part of the country. My experience is more in commercial design than residential otherwise i'd offer to come out there and help you myself. Good luck! I hope I was helpful! Last edited by Bigsweetie; 03-09-2008 at 06:57 AM.

05-07-2008, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
CCampbell Jetgirls Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 25 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Interior Design and how much would services cost? Hi Kristie, I know you posted this 2 months ago but you can also check websites like ASID.org and IIDA.org to find certified designers in your area.

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