Design by Paradigm Interior Design
WHAT I WISH EVERY HOMEOWNER ASKED BEFORE OUR FIRST CALL
Hiring a designer is something most people do about once or twice in their lifetime, so there's no playbook to follow for how to go about it. You mull over the idea for a while before you ever pick up the phone, then it's unclear where to start the conversation.
Here's what I've learned from years of those first conversations: the ones that go smoothly usually start with the homeowner having thought through a few things in advance. Not a full plan. Just enough clarity to make our first meeting useful instead for both of us.
Design by Paradigm Interior Design
KNOW YOUR PROBLEM
Before you call a designer, make a list about what's specifically bothering you. Is it one room that’s never quite worked for how your family lives, or is this closer to a full home renovation? Are you building new and starting from a blank slate? Those are three different conversations, and the more precisely you can describe what’s been bothering you, the faster I can tell you what the solution will look like
Design by Paradigm Interior Design
ASK ABOUT THE PROCESS
Pretty photos on a website can only tell you so much about a designer. What matters more is how a designer actually works day to day. Who's your point of contact once the project starts? How often will you hear from them? Do they coordinate directly with your contractor, or does that fall back on you?
One of my clients, after her basement remodel, told me that working with our team made the whole process easier because we worked seamlessly alongside her contractor and kept things moving without her having to manage every handoff herself. That's the part of the job that doesn't show up in a portfolio, and it's worth asking a designer about directly.
Design by Paradigm Interior Design
Photo by Eric Lucero
TALK NUMBERS EARLY
Budget conversations feel awkward, so a lot of people avoid them until they've already fallen in love with a design element they can't afford. That conversation is important to have on day one. Tell me your range, and I'll tell you honestly what's possible inside it, including where I'd spend more and where I'd hold back. A vague number gets you a vague plan. A solid one gets you a solid design.
None of this requires having it all figured out before you reach out. It just helps to know your own answers to these questions before you're sitting across from someone asking them. If you've been thinking about starting a project, I'm always happy to talk through where you're starting from.