How to hire a decorator....without losing your mind and your life savings.

There are times when you would like the help of a professional interior decorator in your home.  These occasions vary from new home construction, remodeling, staging to sell, and help with certain problem areas in the home. The latter is the most common request I get.  The typical scenario goes something like this.  "I purchased new furniture and accessories for this room and it still doesn't have any pizzazz.  What's missing?"  Or "....I spent a fortune decorating this room and it still looks cold and uninviting....what's missing?"  How about "....My new house has high ceilings and makes my furniture look like doll house miniatures." 

So you would like to ask for a decorator's help.  But wait...how much will THAT cost?  Is it okay to ask her how much THAT will cost?  What if she has crazy ideas that I don't like?  What if I don't like her and want to fire her? (Insert anxiety attack here.) Am I the only customer she'll have that has a budget and will have imput on everything, including cost? My husband says the "money clock" will start running and we won't be able to stop it!

You need answers to these questions before you enter into a deal.  You deserve answers to these questions before you hire anyone.  Get these answers by asking a potential designer these questions.

"What is the cost of your initial consultation?"  "If I'm interested, how do we progress from there?" Give a brief description of your problem area and ask, "What time frame would you estimate to solve this problem?" "Do you have time to devote to me now?"

Then, just as importantly, do YOUR homework.  What is it about the area that you don't like?  Does it serve the function for which it is intended?  Look for pictures in books/magazines that have the feel you want.  Focusing your thoughts about the problem saves time and money at the design appointment.

Now, back to that panic attack (see above)!! The designer is asking herself questions too!  She wants to get the job, satisfy you, the customer, with her ideas, and complete the work feeling that she has been helpful and efficient and created a content customer that will recommend her to others.

About her fees.....it's okay to ask!  Since most of my customers fall into the category of "certain problem areas in the home", this is what I do.  My initial consultation lasts 1-2 hours and costs $100. Sometimes that is all that is required.  I give suggestions, sometime move things around and offer resources for suggested purchases, if needed.  If the problem requires additional time, research, and home visits, I give the customer a flat fee amount for my services.  This fee is based on similar jobs I have done in the past and the average amount of time or shopping involved.  ***This is the point where you, the customer, says "Yes, go ahead",or "No thank you". **** And either answer is fair and perfectly fine.  At the same time, the designer is at the same point where she can say, "I don't feel I'm the person for this job" based on time involved or services required. This is business, not courtship! 

The ultimate goal for both client and decorator is having the defined job completed satisfactorily to the homeowner and  both parties feeling that compensation was adequate and fair.