Working with an interior designer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cut your losses and run. As a business owner who provides quotes to people all the time, I can't understand how he could assume that you were prepared to pay those prices. And really, if you had a budget in mind, you should have told it to him. If you didn't tell him your budget and then got a quote that is too high, that's on you. HOWEVER, he should be accustomed to that and should have known that his quote might be over your budget, so it is just incomprehensible that he would have done a lot of work without having a commitment from you or a deposit. So that's on him.

The fact that he became angry and was unprofessional suggests to me that he maybe isn't so experienced, or else is just very unprofessional in general - either way, just find someone else. Or use an online service like SpaceJoy and find your own contractors.

OP thanks for your perspective. We signed his contract and paid an upfront fee, then we paid expenses each month for fabric samples and different stuff he got delivered. He pays a lot of attention to detail which we appreciated, Except when it comes to the budget I guess!! DH and I both work full time so there’s no way we’d be able to screen contractors or have any idea if their bids were market. But with everything else in this house so landscaper, pool guy etc we met a few folks and got a few bids then made a choice. It was surprising to us that the designer didn’t want to interview any other contractors or negotiate with the one who provided the estimate. Also the contractor is subbing out everything and charging 20%, then the designer is charging another 20% but it’s not clear to me what the designer does for the 20%. We also agreed to pay a mark up to the designer for all of the furnishings he chose which is understandable.

Did he charge you for fabric samples?!? One, they’re free, and free to mail. Two, that is so odd. Usually he would pick samples and put a vision together for you. At the first meeting he should have brought fabric samples for you to look at for him to get a sense of your style. Third, he should have stuck to your budget, or refused the job based on your budget. Highly unprofessional.

—Former interior designer

[Anonymous]

When we worked with a designer for furniture, painting, removal of built-ins, new built-ins, and lighting changes the designer was very transparent about all prices. She let me review quotes from her preferred vendors and offered names of others if I wanted additional quotes. She would work with anyone we chose.

I found the whole process pretty easy. We used her people for everything except some handyman stuff and their prices were comparable to what neighbors were quoted for similar work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why people need to pay a 20% markup for a designer to source things that are readily identifiable by browsing shelter magazines and available for purchase online. The designer gets a trade discount and you pay a markup. What’s the point? Is it just for the pleasure of spending a lot of money?

In the old model, the designer is the retailer. “To the trade” meant wholesale, basically, except with items to order. But the designer is the one having to deal with selling, taking the order, receiving, installing, handling returns, etc. Just like a store, and stores used to have a 50% markup.

Now a lot more stuff is available directly to consumers, and it’s less costly to do the selling because of e-commerce, so this model is changing. There are also designers who will offer you their trade discount with minimal services for a lower cost - just like other retail competition. A lot depends on what you want to buy and how aggressively or not the manufacturer is protecting the old model.

In terms of the designer, it doesn’t really matter in the end whether you pay them a higher hourly rate or a markup on the furniture, all that really matters is the total cost and whether or not you think it’s a good value.

[Anonymous]

The designer should get about 20 percent of your total budget. And remember if they mark up 20 percent, they often get stuff for 20 percent off so you pay as the consumer just the regular price.

[Anonymous]

When we worked with a designer for furniture, painting, removal of built-ins, new built-ins, and lighting changes the designer was very transparent about all prices. She let me review quotes from her preferred vendors and offered names of others if I wanted additional quotes. She would work with anyone we chose.

I found the whole process pretty easy. We used her people for everything except some handyman stuff and their prices were comparable to what neighbors were quoted for similar work.

Was that someone in the DMV area? I'm looking for a designer for one room (our family room). Any suggestions for interior designers who are reasonable and have somewhat traditional taste?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

When we worked with a designer for furniture, painting, removal of built-ins, new built-ins, and lighting changes the designer was very transparent about all prices. She let me review quotes from her preferred vendors and offered names of others if I wanted additional quotes. She would work with anyone we chose.

I found the whole process pretty easy. We used her people for everything except some handyman stuff and their prices were comparable to what neighbors were quoted for similar work.

Was that someone in the DMV area? I'm looking for a designer for one room (our family room). Any suggestions for interior designers who are reasonable and have somewhat traditional taste?

What’s your budget for the room?