{"id":5300,"date":"2018-01-15T23:56:33","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T15:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.stoneamperor.com.sg\/?p=5300"},"modified":"2023-12-22T15:12:27","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T07:12:27","slug":"renovation-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.stoneamperor.com.sg\/renovation-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 6 Questions to Ask Before Paying an Interior Designer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Home renovation is a hefty but necessary investment for most homeowners in Singapore. It could be to remodel your original home design to suit your personal lifestyle, to align with your Feng Shui master’s instructions for greater health and wealth, or to give your family a more comfortable living space.<\/span><\/p>\n

But before you pick an interior designer to work with you on your dream home, it is crucial that you get a few questions answered first…<\/span>
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Top 6 Questions to Ask Before Paying an Interior Designer<\/span><\/h1>\n

[Number 5 is my favroite]<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re paying a big part of your savings for an<\/span> interior designer<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 so make sure you invest in the right person! Whether you are a seasoned pro or just exploring the idea of working with an interior designer, the services offered, agreements, and working methods can vary greatly between designers.<\/span><\/p>\n

It all begins with you and your prospective interior designer discussing the scope of your project, the aesthetics you love and the quality level you envision for your home. You might be facing certain issues or communication breakdown with him from the stage where you are looking for the right one to start right\u00a0until the finale. The only thing that is under your control is to ensure the two-way communication is tip top and messages are transmitted clearly, every single time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at a few questions you should ask to ensure your interior design work gets done without any unnecessary hiccups.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Do You Mind Showing Me Examples Of Your Latest Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most important questions to ask when first meeting with an interior designer is to ask for examples of the designer\u2019s work. Designers are used to these questions and should have a<\/span> portfolio<\/a> <\/strong>of examples showcasing their best work with previous clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

If they are really good and experienced, they will be more than happy to share their histories, awards, big projects and recommendations automatically, without you even asking. While photographs give you a glimpse into the taste and style of a designer, client testimonials are priceless!<\/span>
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2. \u00a0What Are Your Rates?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Many Singaporeans are now spending upwards of SGD80,000 \u2013 SGD150,000 on home renovations, an amount which is steadily growing as more people seek to improve their homes. To ensure your money is spent wisely, do clarify the general costs and hidden amount (if any) with your interior designer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most interior designers will require you to<\/span> sign a contract<\/a><\/strong> before they start working with you. However, you should never sign anything until you\u2019ve fully discussed the payment and understand how you will be charged. Do try to get several quotations for packages and<\/span> services<\/a> <\/strong>he offers, and take some time to digest, compare, and eventually make a selection to match your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

As this is the key series of question, also find out whether you\u2019ll be paying an hourly rate or a flat fee for this dream house mission. Keep in mind that you will also be paying for the materials, so this is a good time to work out the budget. Check if there are any<\/span> promotions<\/a> <\/strong>going on too!<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. How Is Your Service Timeline Like?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Are you in a rush to get a project completed before a housewarming? Get a clear timeline with the stages of project completion so both parties are on the same page. Neither of you will have to chase after or follow up on the project phases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having a visual project timeline that precisely connects the important milestones and tasks is a useful tool for successful planning or project management. Project timelines outline the major deliverables of a project in a chronological sequence. This helps all project resources and stakeholders see what deliverables need to be accomplished next and by what date. You can easily make a customized one or download a<\/span> template<\/a> <\/strong>now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Are you willing to go extra-mile from your usual style?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The interior design market is highly competitive at the moment and it is really important for designers to find ways to differentiate themselves from others. Show your designer how much this project means to you and see which one of them really want to get the bid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some designers have a definite flair or do a certain style well, and that is what they do most of the time for their clients. If you want to hire them and then decide not to go with their signature mode, then there could be conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Can the work be\u00a0done within my budget?<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are a few reasons why it\u2019s crucial to establish a<\/span> budget<\/a> <\/strong>before working with an interior designer. Primarily, it is good to be realistic with what you are willing to pay and the quality of the pieces you can get for that amount. Maybe this is your first place and starter<\/span> furniture<\/a> <\/strong>is all you can afford. That\u2019s absolutely okay, but know that starter furniture is just temporary, and you will probably want to replace them in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, it is reasonable to raise your budget in the middle of the process and upgrade a certain feature to get it just right.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. How do you resolve an on-the-job issue?<\/span><\/h3>\n

With years of background behind your designer, he knows that every job faces an unforeseen challenge along the way. We\u2019ve developed systems to handle some of the more common problems. This data and practice help us straighten up the other difficulties as they arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask your designer these questions and monitor his answers. You will be able to judge his work efficiency and teamwork to ensure the completion of your dream work. In addition, you will also know whether this designer provides a full-service package or not.<\/span><\/p>\n