Starting a renovation is a huge project, from the investment to the timeline to the small details and selections. In today’s blog post, I want to share with you some of the most common questions we get before starting a renovation project. Whether you’re renovating a room or your entire home, these answers will give you the information you need to get your project started on the right foot!
If you’re wondering what it's like to work with an interior designer, you may want to check this previous blog post, where
we addressed some of the most common questions about working with a designer.
Your Renovation Questions Answered!
Before starting a renovation or construction project, your most important asset is information. You need to get as much information as possible about the project. While gathering pictures and inspiration is important, it’s also essential to know what to expect, including:
- A vision of what you need and want will help you make accurate decisions.
- The resources you’ll need to complete your project, including timeline, investment, and the people you need to bring aboard. In this guide, our Furniture Investment Workbook, we help you set a realistic furnishings budget and start your project on the right foot.
- Knowing what might not go according to plan, and the inconveniences that might happen along the way, and how to address them to your family’s benefit.
- The people involved in your project. Whether that’s a contractor, architect, or designer, you need experts to help you achieve your renovation goals.
To make gathering information easier, we’ve compiled a list of questions that we receive when clients start working with us.
We divided these questions into two sections: working with a contractor and a designer.
Working With A Contractor
When it comes to working with contractors, you want to have all the information at your fingertips, knowing you made the right decision. Here are some of the most common questions that may come to mind when working with contractors.
1. Does The Contractor Make Selections?
The contractor does not make selections, nor do you want them to. Their role is to focus on and do the work and construction with the plan you or the designer have put together.
One of the main reasons
you hire a designer is so they can make the selections for materials and finishes. Their role is to study your home and give you the best option for each room you’re renovating. Their expertise helps them understand what you need and what will look best in your space.
If you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, this guide
will provide you with
a complete roadmap of what you need to build the kitchen and bath of your dreams.
2. Who Hires the Contractor and How Does Their Fee Work?
Usually, the client hires the contractor, and the contractor has his own contract and fee that is separate from a designer’s. When clients ask, or we have experience with a contractor in a similar role, we recommend professionals for the job and may suggest more than one for you to choose.
What we always tell our clients is that your goal is to select a contractor you feel comfortable having in your home every day, as well as be a good fit in every aspect.
In this blog post,
we provide you with a complete guide to choosing the right contractor for your renovation project.
3. When Does The Contractor Come Onto The Project?
The contractor steps in after we have drawings completed and selections made; this way, they can bid the job more accurately.
As we mentioned in previous blog posts, we recommend our clients consider more than one contractor. You want to focus on their expertise, previous work, reviews, or referrals, and overall look for the best option to achieve your project’s goal.
Working With A Designer
Sometimes there’s a misconception that all that interior designers do is decorate a room or a house. Contrary to popular belief, designers actually have architectural knowledge, meaning they know homes and how they’re built, know the solutions you need for your problems, and even better, what looks good in a home.
Just to give you an idea, these are some of the main responsibilities of an Interior Designer before, during, and after a renovation project.
If you have one or multiple rooms in your home that you want to change, you can inquire about our services and schedule a complimentary Zoom consultation so we can discuss what the best service is for your project.
After presenting our plan and work scope, usually clients ask us the following questions:
1. Will You Present A Few Choices For Us To Select?
Absolutely not! The reason you hire a designer is so you don’t have to make so many decisions. Imagine if we presented 3 sofas, 3 coffee tables, 3 rugs, 3 light fixtures, and 3 of everything else!
That would be so overwhelming!
We source the best sofa, coffee table, rug, etc. for your space based on the feedback we receive at our kick-off meeting. We keep in mind how much you want to invest and what will work best in your space. Usually, we will have a backup piece in case you don’t like something, but we typically have very few revisions.
Take a look at our portfolio, where you can see our clients’ experiences and how we transformed their homes into their vision and more!
2. Can You Use Our Existing Pieces?
Yes, as long as they fit well into the design. We love to use our clients’ pieces that are special to them, and sometimes a furniture piece needs to be refinished or updated so it works well with the design.
For example, at our
Project More Fun Than Fancy, our client loved their red chair & ottoman, but we knew it would stick out like a sore thumb if it stayed. so we reupholstered it in cognac leather, which fit the design well.
If you have additional questions for us, reach out and inquire about our services; we would love to help transform your home into a special place you’ll not only enjoy being in but also create memories for years to come!
Pin this article and share it with your friends and family here.
What’s your design style?
Find out what kind of interior design best suits your inner self. From Transitional to Modern, it's time to make your home a place you’ll love!
You can opt-out at any time. Please note we do not share your information with anyone.
I work with busy families to create beautiful and functional spaces by providing local design services in the Charlotte/Waxhaw area and beyond through online design.
What’s your design style?
Find out what kind of interior design best suits your inner self. From Transitional to Modern, it's time to make your home a place you’ll love!
You can opt-out at any time. Please note we do not share your information with anyone.
Recent Posts
