Ask an Expert: Should I Hire an Interior Designer to Manage my Project?
Part three of this series about working with an interior designer tackles the topic of project management. Do it yourself or hire some help?
A project can be as small as decorating a room or as large as building a house, yet there are many similar issues when it comes project management. Your interior designer will help you to visualise the end result, but there will then be six steps to go through to complete the job. These are: planning the timescales for the project (agreeing when it will start and finish); itemising the costs (materials and labour); scheduling the work (in other words, organising who does what and when, as well as getting all the right pieces in the right place); appointing the people who’ll do the work; ordering the goods required; supervising the completion of the project.
Trust your designer to solve problems
During the build there will almost certainly be unforeseen problems. Your interior designer/project manager will know how to overcome them and will suggest solutions to you. There may be budget implications so make sure to ask what they are.
The raised floor in this image may have been part of a planned design, but you can appreciate how it might equally have been a clever way of dealing with unexpected pipes!
During the build there will almost certainly be unforeseen problems. Your interior designer/project manager will know how to overcome them and will suggest solutions to you. There may be budget implications so make sure to ask what they are.
The raised floor in this image may have been part of a planned design, but you can appreciate how it might equally have been a clever way of dealing with unexpected pipes!
Take a break
Appointing a project manager takes a lot of the day-to-day worry away from you, allowing you to go to work as normal or get away on holiday. Many clients find they cannot stand the mess even during a minor build and take a short holiday to escape it.
Trust your interior designer to make decisions in your absence. If you go away and want to be kept informed of progress, ask for a daily update.
Appointing a project manager takes a lot of the day-to-day worry away from you, allowing you to go to work as normal or get away on holiday. Many clients find they cannot stand the mess even during a minor build and take a short holiday to escape it.
Trust your interior designer to make decisions in your absence. If you go away and want to be kept informed of progress, ask for a daily update.
Ask about trade discounts
Some suppliers offer trade discounts to interior designers, typically 10-20 percent. Interior designers might pass the discount straight on to the client but it depends on the fee basis agreed.
Make sure you ask about this because if the discount is not passed on the interior designer effectively becomes a retailer. They buy the furniture, fixtures and fittings specified in the contract at trade discount prices then sell them to the client at retail price.
The fee structure affects how your project is managed financially and who pays for what and when. You may have to return some goods if they arrive faulty or are not quite what you thought. So knowing who paid for them and who has the ability, and responsibility, to deal with returns and re-orders is crucial.
Some suppliers offer trade discounts to interior designers, typically 10-20 percent. Interior designers might pass the discount straight on to the client but it depends on the fee basis agreed.
Make sure you ask about this because if the discount is not passed on the interior designer effectively becomes a retailer. They buy the furniture, fixtures and fittings specified in the contract at trade discount prices then sell them to the client at retail price.
The fee structure affects how your project is managed financially and who pays for what and when. You may have to return some goods if they arrive faulty or are not quite what you thought. So knowing who paid for them and who has the ability, and responsibility, to deal with returns and re-orders is crucial.
Understand your drawings
Even with the most detailed drawings and careful planning it is impossible to anticipate every eventuality. Where electrics and plumbing are involved, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, detailed design drawings must include all incoming services and drains. Make sure you have a copy of the drawings to hand, then your interior designer will be able to identify any extras by referring you to your personal set of drawings. Make notes as to what was agreed and when, as this information may be required for reference at a later date.
Even with the most detailed drawings and careful planning it is impossible to anticipate every eventuality. Where electrics and plumbing are involved, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, detailed design drawings must include all incoming services and drains. Make sure you have a copy of the drawings to hand, then your interior designer will be able to identify any extras by referring you to your personal set of drawings. Make notes as to what was agreed and when, as this information may be required for reference at a later date.
Time it right
The mirror in this bedroom doubles the space and looks fabulous, but the installation of a large item like this has to be timed carefully. You wouldn’t want it lying around while your house is a building site; the risk of damage – and increased stress levels – is high. To ensure items arrive at the appropriate time leave the ordering of goods and co-ordination to your project manager – a big part of the role is logistics.
Browse 10 ways to let mirrors work magic in your interior design
The mirror in this bedroom doubles the space and looks fabulous, but the installation of a large item like this has to be timed carefully. You wouldn’t want it lying around while your house is a building site; the risk of damage – and increased stress levels – is high. To ensure items arrive at the appropriate time leave the ordering of goods and co-ordination to your project manager – a big part of the role is logistics.
Browse 10 ways to let mirrors work magic in your interior design
Be open to opportunities
While it’s generally inadvisable to make changes mid-build – because these add to the cost and often disrupt the planned timeframe – do equally be aware that new possibilities sometimes occur.
An opportunity that wasn’t originally available may arise when work starts. For instance, storage drawers under the stairs, such as the ones in this child’s bedroom may not have initially been an option, but for one reason or another, now are. If you are presented with such an opportunity, ask for sketch drawings and written details with specification and cost. Don’t be pressured into a quick decision because the builders are waiting. Also be sure you understand what, if any, impact there will be on the previously agreed timeframe.
Your interior designer/project manager will be on site regularly and will spot opportunities like this before the project moves to the next stage.
While it’s generally inadvisable to make changes mid-build – because these add to the cost and often disrupt the planned timeframe – do equally be aware that new possibilities sometimes occur.
An opportunity that wasn’t originally available may arise when work starts. For instance, storage drawers under the stairs, such as the ones in this child’s bedroom may not have initially been an option, but for one reason or another, now are. If you are presented with such an opportunity, ask for sketch drawings and written details with specification and cost. Don’t be pressured into a quick decision because the builders are waiting. Also be sure you understand what, if any, impact there will be on the previously agreed timeframe.
Your interior designer/project manager will be on site regularly and will spot opportunities like this before the project moves to the next stage.
Photograph your project
You will probably take lots of photos for your own reference before, during and after the work is completed.
It is very helpful for an interior designer to show potential clients examples of previous projects, but they should ask your permission if they intend to take or use photographs of your project for publicity purposes.
You are under no obligation, but you probably found it helpful to see your designer’s portfolio before appointing them – so if you can, be generous about allowing your project to be photographed.
It is also useful to have a photo diary for reference purposes. For instance, you can record where pipes and cables are after they’ve been covered over.
You will probably take lots of photos for your own reference before, during and after the work is completed.
It is very helpful for an interior designer to show potential clients examples of previous projects, but they should ask your permission if they intend to take or use photographs of your project for publicity purposes.
You are under no obligation, but you probably found it helpful to see your designer’s portfolio before appointing them – so if you can, be generous about allowing your project to be photographed.
It is also useful to have a photo diary for reference purposes. For instance, you can record where pipes and cables are after they’ve been covered over.
Respect the copyright
Once the project is over, you will probably still have the drawings and illustrations, concept boards and sample boards your designer provided so that you, the client, could clearly understand the vision for the project.
Be aware that the legal rights to these designs remain with the designer, and they should not be shared or reproduced for any purposes other than those in respect to your project, or whatever was agreed to between client and designer.
If, at a later date, you undertake further work with a different interior designer/project manager you can of course refer back to earlier drawings.
Once the project is over, you will probably still have the drawings and illustrations, concept boards and sample boards your designer provided so that you, the client, could clearly understand the vision for the project.
Be aware that the legal rights to these designs remain with the designer, and they should not be shared or reproduced for any purposes other than those in respect to your project, or whatever was agreed to between client and designer.
If, at a later date, you undertake further work with a different interior designer/project manager you can of course refer back to earlier drawings.
Draw up a contract
If you decide to hire your interior designer to manage a project, a written contract is highly recommended.
A contract outlines the parameters of the job, the budget and the timescales. It also covers who pays what to whom and when. Usually fees are calculated as a percentage (15-20 percent for example) of the total cost of the project. As well as outlining the payment terms, the contract should explain how trade discounts will be dealt with. There are many ways to charge for, and pay for, a project management service, just make sure that as a client you fully understand how it will work for your project.
Read parts I and II in this series:
How Can a Designer’s Creativity Help to Improve my Home?
How to Work With an Interior Designer
TELL US…
Are you thinking of hiring a project manager to oversee an upcoming renovation – or have you used one and have tips to share? Let us know in the Comments below.
If you decide to hire your interior designer to manage a project, a written contract is highly recommended.
A contract outlines the parameters of the job, the budget and the timescales. It also covers who pays what to whom and when. Usually fees are calculated as a percentage (15-20 percent for example) of the total cost of the project. As well as outlining the payment terms, the contract should explain how trade discounts will be dealt with. There are many ways to charge for, and pay for, a project management service, just make sure that as a client you fully understand how it will work for your project.
Read parts I and II in this series:
How Can a Designer’s Creativity Help to Improve my Home?
How to Work With an Interior Designer
TELL US…
Are you thinking of hiring a project manager to oversee an upcoming renovation – or have you used one and have tips to share? Let us know in the Comments below.
Clarify lines of communication
If your builder asks you a question such as, ‘Do you only want a double socket here, we could easily put in another…?’ respond with the answer, ‘I’ll check with my interior designer.’
Changes made during a project are only helpful if all the implications have been thought through. Your builder should really communicate directly with your interior designer if they have been appointed project manager, but that doesn’t always happen.
And remember, any changes will all be added to the final bill.
Read expert advice on the hidden costs your project could incur