How to Pick a Designer

Now, while I was working on this piece, I ran across, “The Polite House: On ‘No Shoes’ Rules and Breaking Up With Contractors” by Lizzie Post. For the record, I am one who takes off his shoes when entering someone’s home just because...that’s it...just because. It’s rude for me to track in the “outside” into someone’s home, but that’s, just me. Me feet do not stink and I prefer to be barefoot actually.That is not my point to reference the above post, but to highlight her opinion on breaking up with a contractor. This post is dealing with picking your designer and I will be referencing, much like her approach to picking a contractor.

So let’s enjoy the fact that you have decided to remodel your kitchen. Let’s assume you have not seen a display but you just know that your kitchen or bath is outdated for you. It is just not working for you and you acknowledge that you need a change.

So have you dreamed yet? Dreamed of how it would be to make coffee in your new kitchen? Breakfast? How about a Holiday dinner? Have kids? Can you imagine them in and out of your newly remodeled kitchen? You have? Okey, let’s get to the next step.

There are a many approaches to picking a designer. I will cover three that I think are key:

Style

Take some time (if you haven’t, already) and flip through some periodicals. You can find some at your local library if you do not subscribe. Find an approach through someone’s completed project. What if anything stands out the most? The cabinets? The openness? Lighting? Is it the finish on the cabinets that intrigues you the most? What is it? Once you find the answer, then walk through your local display showrooms. You may have a local dealer nearby or a Big Box Do It Yourself retail store to choose from. See if you see it. Your style. Even if it is the Big Box Store, which scares some because of the size. Do not think that you can not find it there, like attracts like. You may say, those displays have probably been in that store since it opened, the designer will not be there. Someone else, at the home office designed them. Well, the salespeople are there. Those salespeople have been cleaning and dealing with the displays in their showroom since they have been working there and should have adapted the flair or taste for the product and the style. They could bring the style to your dream.

If you still cannot find periodicals that have your style, I would recommend, going to Houzz and click through some pictures of finished work and search there for a designer. Research is key to filtering down to whom you would want to build your dream with, just do not settle for anyone.

Location

Using Houzz (or another portal like ours, in the near future,... hint, hint) can save you gas and time running around town, but don’t short-change yourself, because you have to live with the final results. So each step is key. Take your time and research.

Your local Designers can be useful. If they do not have what you need they can refer you. They know their competition. Much like me referring you to other portals, that was not me brushing you off to someone else but me helping you in your journey. It should never be a “Dog-eat-dog world” when it comes to you getting what you want. Never settle. Referrals, I find is a must, when selling in the Home Improvement Industry, because I will never have all that you need, but if I do, then it should be an honor to be the chosen designer. Anyone should feel honored to share in your dream. This is your dream. If your designer is local, that could serve to be a benefit because any issue that should arise in the process, can and should be handle in a timely fashion. They can, if you chose, visit the site and fine tune any difficulties that may arise but if they are at a distance, that to is okey, too. Remember, it is all about your dream.

Cost

Cost may be an issue. If you are working under a budget plan wisely. Research is key. The cost of the cabinets may not be the issue. Some designers have the talent to use the cheapest materials and produce a masterful piece. So you may want to look for that person. The only way to achieve those results will be to take the suggestions from Lizzie Post article and apply them to your search for your designer as well. Interview several designer if you must, but filter your interviews down to at least three of the best choices. Then you can take it down to your only choice.

Now in my opinion, that person should also have a contractor in mind or on hand to give you a complete package on the remodel. If they do not, no biggie, then I would like to refer you to Ms. Lizzie’s suggestions on finding the contractor. This will be your dream team, so take your time and pick wisely. You have to live with results.

Please keep in mind when the professionals make suggestions and they are working through your budget, budget wisely. Do not go out and short change their suggestions by buying outside the budget. You are going to force their hand at cutting somewhere else. For example, your designer or contractor suggests to get a basic inexpensive commode for now, do not go against that suggestion and buy an expensive commode and not expect to cause issues in the quote. That forces your dream team to cut somewhere else. Yes, it is your choice but you chose these professionals, trust you made the right choice. Besides you can always go back and replace that commode at a later date but if they have to cheapen in building materials that may be costly. Make your dream great.

#relationships #DoItYourselfers #sales #designing #planning #Designers #dreamers #trials