Working with an interior designer on a home improvement project can be a time – and money – saver if you plan the collaboration carefully. Here are some tips you should know for hiring the right interior designer:

Research Project Costs and Discuss The Budget First

If you’ve never done an interior design project before, you’ll need to do a little homework to determine a reasonable budget. Remember, unless you clearly discuss your monetary limits at the start, your designer is going to choose the best features in quality and structure. The finished job reflects upon them, so of course they want it to look lavish and top-of-the-line.

Professionals Have Connections

One of the biggest ways an interior designer can save you time and money is by helping you find good construction and remodeling contractors. Make sure you ask who your interior designer knows for specific products such as flooring or countertops. These features are pricey, but could be reduced with the right connections.

Don’t Bypass Your Preferences

Your interior designer is a professional, but also a person with preferences. If you leave the options too wide open, you might soon realize that what your interior designer loves is what your home becomes. This is the sign of a poorly qualified designer—their main job is to design for you not for themselves. Interior designers don’t want to design rooms that they think are ugly; rooms that do not adhere to their tastes, but that is simply part of their job.

There’s No Need For It All To Be New

While getting you to buy everything new would mean a big payday for your designer, sometimes what you have lying around the house works. For example, an antique vase might make a great kitchen spoon holder, or an old dresser could be retrofitted with plumbing, becoming a bathroom sink and cabinet. Before they order anything new, be sure you discuss items you might want to revitalize in your home.

Warranty/ Insurance Coverage

These days, certain interior design companies offer clients a warranty on workmanship. It may sound assuring at first, but these warranties may serve more as a crowd catcher rather than an actual insurance.

Check out the list of Interior Design Services on the HUB. Make sure all the contractors are licensed and credible.

Thanks for the info from * Freshome and Bankrate