Why hiring a designer will actually save you money on your next project...
Remodels are expensive! So why would you want to spend even more money to hire a designer? After-all, you know what you like, and you have been creating Pinterest boards for years as you dreamed up your perfect space. You have a plan in mind for the layout, and you could make do without any help. All of that may well be true, but I can tell you from experience that you will spend more money, and more time in the long run without a professional involved.
There are SO many things that go into designing a space, and not all designers are knowledgeable in the construction aspect. You may have great taste, and know exactly what you want the finished product to look like, but having someone who knows how to execute that vision, who has experience in design and the remodeling process can actually save you time and money.
There are countless things that your contractor will need to know in advance, and they are likely things you won’t know to watch out for. Having worked as a general contractor, and managed projects from start to finish, I have seen it all. I have had many clients who opted out of the design services in order to save a few bucks. They would go out and select all of their materials on their own and send me a list of what they had ordered. I cannot tell you how many times a client would pick out a light fixture that was way undersized or oversized for their space. Sometimes these fixtures are special order and cannot be returned. I have had multiple clients select a wall mount faucet that we hadn’t plumbed for, and they didn’t have a clue what type of backsplash would go behind it because they hadn’t picked out tile or countertops yet. Well, we need to know that, so we know what depth to set the valve at. Now the plumber has to come back to redo the rough-in, but he can’t do that until we cut out the drywall and determine the backsplash. The height of the backsplash will affect the size and style of mirrors you can use, and what type of lighting will work. It isn’t the client’s job to know all of that, but it is my job, and I can save you the hassle of figuring it out or having to redo any work, or getting stuck with materials that can’t be used.
I am a firm believer that all of the plans and material selections should be finalized before a project ever begins! Most clients are so eager to get started, they want to go ahead and demo as soon as possible. They can figure out the rest as they go. That may have worked in a pre-pandemic world, but in today’s era of supply chain delays and shortages, it is more important than ever to have everything selected and ordered before your project begins. Material lead times are long and unpredictable, and delays are almost expected.
Having help in pulling together all of the details is essential to help keep your project on schedule and on budget. It is my job to help steer my clients toward products that will work in their space, their timeline, and their estimated budget. When you walk into a showroom, the salesperson is going to show you lots of options that will be an upgrade, and that can snowball quickly. Having someone who understands your goals and your budget can help guide you toward finishes that will work within your allowances, and keep the scope creep from getting out of control. I can even help you see in beautiful 3D renderings what your finished product will look like.
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