Here are a few golden rules to ensure a good working relationship
Yes this works both ways. Working together creating an interior is such a complex and personal journey and a good client gets the absolute most out of their interior designer and end up with Interiors they adore. My ideal client wants an interior design partner that enjoys getting to know each other and building a relationship. Successful partnerships are successful because the people involved have figured out how to communicate and trust one another. Their work together is productive and they experience positive outcomes. Each person involved understands they have responsibilities to fulfil in order to ensure their goals are met. The same is true for the relationship (partnership) between interior designers and their clients. Each party must fulfil its responsibilities to ensure a beautiful outcome.
1
BE RESPONSIVE.
Be responsive and decisive. Your project will only stay on schedule if you're an active participant. The designer may be working to a specific deadline or has allocated a time period to work on your, or another clients project. Any delays in correspondences may result in delays in your project or loss of sourced products. Please respond to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
TOP TIP:
Let the designer know what time of day, or specific day, you're most likely able to take calls. Sometimes a quick chat can solve a query. If you’re planning on going away for an extended period of time, or will be unreachable for whatever reason, let them know that so they can work around those periods.
2
REALISTIC BUDGET
Begin with a realistic budget. Good designers will let you know right away if your budget is in line with your vision or if you have champagne taste and lemonade money. If the budget is close, they can help you narrow your wish list so the budget works, otherwise, they should be upfront with you and explain that what you want cannot be done within your budget. Having an unrealistic budget is unfairly setting up your designer to fail your expectations. They'll inevitably spend more time on the project as a result trying to resource ideal items at a more cost effective price that will somehow still wow you.
Often too, the scope of a project grows as the design progresses. For example, deciding that you want to change the internal wooden french doors to modern black metal ones; Unless you’re willing to cut some of your products from the originally contracted items you'll need to increase your budget for both time and materials because now your designer is spending time on another aspect outside the initial scope, and you need another product. It may not seem like much, but scope creep is a big deal. Your designer isn’t trying to nickel and dime you; Increased scope does take more time and expense.
TOP TIP:
List all the products you'll need and think about where you like to go shopping; the quality and the cost, then factor in that the designer will know even better places to shop, and so be generous as you jot a rough figure next to each item. Tot this up and allow an additional 20% for flexibility and upgrades and a contingency fund for a much larger scope or issues.
Check out our blog on 'How to budget for your Interior Design Project', link below:
3
STICK TO THE BRIEF THAT'S BEEN GIVEN.
The design brief is the first part of the design process and a clearly written brief will help define goals, avoid misunderstanding, set standards and act as a reference point for both client and designer. With endless options to select designers need direction, it's not enough to say “you’re the designer, we’ll leave it to you”, or, “ it needs the wow factor”. As designers we love to solve problems and a simple, clear brief will help focus our thinking allowing us to be more creative. Changing the brief half way through can have huge knock on effects, resulting in a large waste of time for the designer, additional fees and certain delays to your project. The designer will have to schedule more time to re-do work, re-source, and waits for new samples or quotes.
TOP TIP:
The initial meetings are the essential period of time that the interior designers will be getting to know you and the property. Following discussion of the project they'll guide you using their intuition and expertise on design, aesthetics, layout and practicalities, however they won't possibly know all your idiosyncrasies and it's at this point a brief will be formed, so make it clear for them. Bring pictures, vocalise problems, lifestyle, who will be using the space, and think carefully about what's important to you both aesthetically, and practically, including technology. What must you have and what you hate; write a list of non-negotiables.
Check out our blog on 'How to brief your Interior Designer', link below:
4
TRUST AND AN OPEN MIND
Listen to the designer. You’re hiring them for their style and expertise and you’ll get the best results by taking their advise. You’re hiring a professional to help create a beautiful and meaningful space, let them take you a little out of your comfort zone and keep an open mind as they begin to delve into your personal style. They can see the big picture and good designers will meld the new space with the old. The best projects are those in which the client has complete trust in the designer; It’s exciting to see where a good designer can take a space when clients allow them to be their most creative. Personally, the clients who stand back and let the designer do what they do best are my favourite as their projects are often the most unique and creative. If you don’t trust your designer to do their best work for you and address the pain points you want to alleviate, don’t hire them. It takes a lot of trust in someone to feel free to have an open mind and to watch them take a project in a direction you may not have envisioned, but if you can trust the person you hired, your end product will be phenomenal.
TOP TIP:
Think about the spaces that've wowed you; often this would be something you'd never have envisioned! You love a particular Hotel (for example) from the amazing wallpapers, to unusual chairs and colourfully painted ceilings...yet wouldn't have the balls to add some of the elements in your home, and why not? ...No one is wowed by the Next Home shop showroom....so let the designer show you something exciting.
5
FEEDBACK & COMMUNICATION
Designers do sometimes feel they need a degree in psychology, but they aren’t mind readers; Let them know what you like and don’t like and let them know sooner rather than later. You'll not hurt their feelings (well...say it gently please). It’s much easier (and cheaper) to make changes early. With effective communication, we’re able to pull together spaces that are truly reflective of our clients needs and aesthetic. The designer will always take on board your opinion as a client, however, also expect some possible push back from the designer. As per the point above the designer may be taking you a little out of your comfort zone and so you may have a wobble as a result, but allow the designer talk you through their choices prior to dismissing them.
TOP TIP:
Give honest feedback promptly on designs prior to the designer proceeding on more work so you can discuss possible changes.
6
UNDERSTAND THE DESIGNERS ROLE & TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Any interior design project is a long and complex one full of lots of information, many decisions and a lot of responsibility for both the designer and the client with plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong. To avoid wasting time and money, ensure to look carefully at all the information provided by your designer.
The client can alleviate some of this responsibility by paying for additional services; Your interior designer may offer a turn key service at a premium cost, wherein they manage all the contractors and installation of the whole project and literally just hand you a key at the end. If they don't offer this service it's advisable (especially on larger projects) to hire a separate project manager who can oversee the whole process for you. However some clients choose to handle the role themselves which can be manageable with smaller projects; if this is a job you undertake understand this comes with many responsibilities for both the project and to your designer.
SIGNING OFF PRODUCTS
The designer will be presenting you with a variety of product options all of which will have different specifications. It's easy to make presumptions based on a glance at the image, however ensure to read the information on each item presented so there're no surprises when products start arriving. Lets make it clear that some product specifications will not 'right or wrong', but be down to personal option, so it's important to note sizes, technical aspects, quantity, finish, use, and materials, etc, even down to simply making sure you actually like the products! Furthermore, the designer may have added their own notes with warnings, advise, care, lead time, or further installation costs factors that they want you to take on board so you're making an informed decision on a possible compromise or additional cost. Note too the price-points as this may be an indicator that the designer has chosen to be 'cost effective' with a product in order to value engineer your budget, so if you wish to extend your budget and upgrade an item this it the point to let the designer know. Interior designers often have a no returns policy due to a number of factors including buying from trade or custom, or to simply streamline their processes so it's your responsibility as a client to check that you're happy with everything, so when you approve the products the designer is confident you've made a fully informed decision on products that are usually un-returnable. The consequences of not carefully doing so are therefore completely at your own risk.
TOP TIP:
- Read everything carefully and if you have any further queries about a product ensure to ask the designer, or do some of your own research.
- A designer will specify technical and installation products to the best of their ability and knowledge, however surprisingly...an Interior Designer is not a electrician, plumber, decorator, tiler, floor fitter etc, and so it is impossible to be an expert in these areas, nor are they installing them. It may be your or your project managers responsibility to check with your installation contractors on the technical aspects and quantities of products prior to signing them off or prior to purchase by the designer. Think flooring, radiators, wallpaper, tiles, lighting, toilet cisterns, and so on.
RECEIVING AND CHECKING
You may opt for a service to have all products stored and checked by a 3rd party then installed by your designer or project managers team at an additional cost, but also huge convenience. However, you may have decided that this is an area where you can cut costs and do it yourself. Therefore it becomes your responsibility to follow the given instructions for receiving, checking, logging and storing the products until they're installed. The consequences of not carefully doing so are therefore completely at your own risk.
TOP TIPS:
- Check what paperwork you're signing on receipt, this may be confirming that you've checked the goods.
- Check all delivered products immediately as some trade companies will only accept raised faults within 24 hours.
- Don't let a perfect box fool you, the product could have been damaged on packing or be the wrong item altogether.
- Don't book in contractors to complete work without ensuring you have the products to be installed.
CONTRACTORS
If you've not opted for a turn key service or hired a project manager, you'll be hiring and managing all your the contractors directly. This means you'll be vetting, co-ordinating and ensuring they have the right products and design documents. Designers are not plumbers, joiners, or electricians and it's impossible for them to be an expert in these areas, they'll liaise with your contractors on the designs and will be relying on their expertise as installers to advise on issues they foresee and to advise on technical aspects and quantities. Equally the contractors are not designers so it's their responsibility to liaise with the designer on changes which may affect aesthetics. They can then find the best solution together, however you'll need to facilitate this. The consequences of not carefully managing your contractors are therefore completely at your own risk.
TOP TIPS:
- Create a separate budget for your contractors work, with a contingency for things going wrong or changing....which I assure you they likely will.
- Create a schedule of works for the installation and be prepared for this to change, the key is communication.
- Group your contractors were you can so that the team can co-ordinate with one another, and avoid knock on issues of one contractor cancelling and re-scheduling another.
- Ensure they have your interior designers contact details and open hours.
- Check with your contractors the designers estimations on installation products (such as wallpaper and tiles) prior to approval and purchasing.
- Ensure to request any technical plans from the designer with plenty of notice.
- Don't book in contractors without having received or inspected the product they're installing.
7
BE PATIENT
Design and implementation of a project is not a whip of a wand, nor is it completed within a couple of weeks from onboarding to installation. It's just not feasible no matter how much you'd like it to be done quickly. In reality you may be waiting weeks or even months for your selected designer to even be available. Although depending on the status of stages of their current projects some designers may be able to accommodate you sooner in their flexible schedule, however the design process can take weeks to months, depending on the scope of work.
Good design takes time. Co-ordinating meetings, concept, research, ordering samples, waiting for quotes, then inevitable changes as the design develops. There isn't a formula or set time when you can be your most creative or inspired. Also, staring at a project non stop can unproductive in achieving the best results, sometimes I'll set a project aside for a week and come back to it with fresh eyes.
There's no point either booking in contractors such as electricians prior to the design being completed. At this point the electric plans will not have been completed or will be subject to change dependant on the selections made. You'll only end up wasting time and money potentially re-doing work.
Once the design is completed and the product invoices paid bear in mind that some products can take several weeks to arrive.
TOP TIPS:
- If you'd like weekly updates on progress from the designer request this from the start, so you know how your project is progressing. Most designers will do their best to accommodate this request.
- Also note that your project will likely not be the only they are working on, so reply promptly to avoid missing out on a time slot that they allocated to work on your project.
- Line up all your Contractors in the interim so you are ready to go once the design has been completed, or relevant products have been delivered.
- If you'd like to meet a specific deadline discuss this with the designer and they can either advise you if this timeframe is feasible or ensure to select products that can be delivered within a specific schedule. Note that less time will mean less options when it come to products.
8
DON'T EXPECT DISCOUNTS OFF EVERYTHING
If getting discounts is the main reason you hired an interior designer you're hiring them for the wrong reasons. Interior designers are professionals who will help you solve problems, plan layouts and technical plans, design furniture, value engineer your budget and create a beautiful space for you to treasure. Whereas, getting discounts is often at a designers discretion and a possible bonus working with them.
Have a think: Do joiners, mechanics, hairdresser and builders pass on their trade discounts? The resounding answer is no, instead you work with them for their service, skills and knowledge.
I get trade discounts on a variety of products but it really depends were I go shopping. I make more profit and the client more savings going to certain companies, however I'll not force inappropriate products that are not necessarily beneficial to the design. Sometimes the right item is in fact a retail item, however that still needs to be handled in the same way and in-cures the same responsibilities for myself as a designer so it'll have a mark up on it to reflect this.
TOP TIP:
Understand the designer is here to create a wonderful design using their skillset and knowledge. Whilst they'll always be on the lookout for the best deals to value engineer your project they're not here to bargain hunt for you.
9
DON'T SHOP THE DESIGNER
This is a very important rule in so far as both respecting the designer and achieving the best results. Do not feel tempted under any circumstances to take the list of specified items and to bargain hunt them. Sourcing and supply are an integral part of an interior designers business; your project budget and the potential incurred profit will have factored into the designers decision to even approve working with you. So by 'shopping' products based on their design, which were agreed upon for the designer to source and the designer has spent time in doing so, you're breaching your contract. Don't be surprised if this action incurs additional fees as a result; we base our on a percentage of the products value. Huge amounts of time and effort go into sourcing, researching and curating suppliers prior to working on your project and the income from the products goes towards those countless hours.
Furthermore, design is in the detail and by shopping for similar you may be missing these lovely details altogether, or be really messing up the technical aspects of the product from size to usability. The design will be compromised and your project could in-cure delays and additional costs.
A good example; I once had a client 'shop me' on the wooden flooring, which they'd seen similar cheaper elsewhere. They purchased it at half the cost and it sat in their garage for 2 months prior to installation. However, on installation they realised not only could they not configure it to have a brass beading strip and even worse it wasn't compatible with underfloor heating, and unfortunately at this point it was un-returnable. So inevitably they turned to myself to solve the problem they'd created. This meant selecting traditional radiators which could only be delivered 3 weeks later, but had a knock on effect of rescheduling the workmen by 2 months. The cost of the radiators matched the difference in the original flooring cost and the client had to sell a console that could no longer be positioned.
TOP TIP:
There isn't even a tip here, other than just don't be tempted to do it. This would be a breach of trust with your designer and may lead to the designer terminating work on the project altogether.
10
HELP THE DESIGNER WORK EFFICIENTLY
Once products are presented by the Designer, items you wish to have that are in your budget should be approved and purchased in one go, not done in stages. By purchasing products in stages more time will be spent checking if they are still available, checking if the price is still the same and raising multiple orders with companies resulting is possibly less lucrative deals for the designers and more delivery costs for the client. The designer wants to work as efficiently as possible to get the client the best value for their time.
TOP TIP:
Effective communication, assertive decision making and prompt payment.
11
RESPECT BOUNDARIES
No one appreciates a call from work once they've left 'the office' so don't do this to your designer either. Not knowing which bedsheets to buy when shopping in John Lewis at the weekend does not constitute an emergency, nor are they likely consulting on products ad-hoc (just an FYI). If you've got anything on your mind out of hours avoid the temptation to text or call them. Instead send them a message via email, or the project management platform they may be using. The designer can then address the query when back in the office. This too will avoid the queries being overlooked; such as messaging whilst they're (for example) out for drinks on a Friday night, or at the shops, possible situations when essentially they're distracted. Interior designers have lives too.
TOP TIP:
Note the business hours and communication preferences of the designer and stick to them.
12
UNDERSTANDING THE T&C'S
Whilst a designer is creating you a wonderful space, they're also running a business and no matter how large or small that interior designers business is, ensure to treat their carefully thought out terms with respect and acceptance. Every designer works differently and charges differently.
TOP TIP:
No one wants misunderstandings so listen carefully to the designer, read their business literature, read their T&C's and invoicing terms.
At Magpye Creative Interiors we create unique space for unique clients. To enquire about working with us to create your dream interior please get in touch.
Katie
Katie Longshaw-Pye
Creative Director | Magpye Creative Interiors
Ribble Valley
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