There are so many aspects to consider when designing a custom home. It can be overwhelming for sure and it’s easy to convince yourself to not move forward. To help a bit, I’ve put together a list of things to consider before hiring someone for your new build home design, whether you’re starting your journey, been researching for a while, or are ready to pull the trigger.
1.Vibes
Vibe check! To me, one of the most important parts of picking who to hire comes down to vibes. There are so many choices on the internet these days that it truly is possible to pick someone that you vibe with. If you go to someone’s website or social media and don’t instantly want to keep scrolling or clicking or something just doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t the right fit. Home design is such a personalized and intimate thing that comfort is truly necessary. Whoever you hire learns lots of details of how you live and if you feel awkward with someone they may not be for you. And beyond the vibe of the person/company, does the vibe of their spaces speak to you?
2. Services, Products, and Presentations
What are your needs and does the designer offer it? It does no one any good if the fit isn’t there. You may love a designer, but if you need one room and they do only full homes, it’s not a good fit, plain and simple. But more so than that, what else do you need? Are you a DIY-er that just wants the floorplans and then to go off on your own to make it happen? Are you super busy and want to hand over your space and have your designer just do the thing? This may take some soul searching and reality checks on your end. I always catch myself saying- I can do this- and realize I have zero time to actually implement meaning it will never happen or it will take forever.
Besides offering the service you need another aspect is the type of products the designer uses. There are thousands of products out there and every designer does things a bit differently. There are fully custom interior design businesses out there that work solely with custom everything. All the way down to using standard items that are easy and quick to source. It’s a huge cost and lifestyle difference.
And to put it all together- how is all of it provided to you? Do you get renders to help you see what the end result is going to be? 2D plans and elevations? Video walkthroughs? There’s so many options and you want a designer that provides the things you need. Not everyone can visualize what a 2D line drawing will look like once built and in the same, so renderings and walkthroughs are a personal favorite of mine that are included on every project. I love the confidence it brings to making selections and knowing you won’t get to the end and be surprised.
3. Personal Design Style
This kind of goes back to vibes, but making sure your style works with your designer’s is important. While most designers are able to do pretty much any style, there are most certainly specific ones that the designer does well. In the same breath, do you plan to get everything new or do you have existing items that need to be considered in the design? These decisions are important to know for yourself and if the designer will work with it.
4. Communication and Working with your Designer
This is a topic that I think is fairly new to the realm of the service providing industry, but is super important and changing the way lot’s of businesses are run. Communication is how you and the designer you hire will work together and if there’s a disconnect someone is going to end up unhappy. If your prospective designer expects to only communicate via email, but you prefer to text that’s a big disconnect. I dislike unscheduled calls, so working with someone that loves to call multiple times a day is a communication disconnect for me. Same thing if you want the designer to be on site constantly checking on things, but they have a set amount of times they visit. If you get to the point of signing a contract and you don’t see clarifying notes in the contract, don’t be afraid to ask! Open communication from the start is super necessary to avoid unnecessary frustrations.
5. Trusting your Designer
Duh, Duh, Duh! The final consideration before hiring a home or interior designer, is whether you’re ready to relinquish control and trust your designer. You’ve hired them for a reason and you have to let them do their job. It’s hard I know, but the results are going to be soooo much better, especially if you’ve taken the time to find someone that is right for you. I’m not saying to not ask questions or blindly agree to everything they do, but also second guessing everything they do or not listening to suggestions they have will not work in the end. The project drags on, someone is unhappy, and the end product isn’t as good as it could have been. BUT, if you work with your designer, take their knowledge and expertise, and trust the process they’ve put in place… the results will leave you excited, way less stressed, and ready to enjoy the new space!
This list is definitely not all encompassing, but it’s a great start to finding or confirming you’ve found the designer for you. Custom home design can be overwhelming, but that’s why you’re hiring a professional. It saves time, money, and most importantly your sanity when your build actually starts! If you are ready to move forward and think that CANB Design is the one for you, fill out our form here to get started. We look forward to meeting you and seeing what your home Can Be.
