Hello!
We all want to live in a beautiful home, I believe this.
I also believe that when making a commitment to improve our space, be it an update or a renovation, a professional will most definitely save you money + time.
Which is a good thing!
Most Designers are professionals, they have accumulated years of experience, studied at reputable post-secondary institutions, and with time have developed many skills that are extremely valuable.
The value they offer to you is built into savings in both money and time.
If we think about some fundamental choices that are considered when updating a room, such as:
paint colour
furniture selections
flooring
window coverings
lighting
.... this can be daunting.
Then imagine someone who can not only guide you to the best choices for your project but show you how to maximize to it's best potential. Your money is spent wisely and where it is needed.
You might be thinking of working with a professional Designer but feel some trepidation.
Below are my insights into a few questions that clients tend to ask as we begin the process of working together.
How much will it cost?
I think it's very important to start the conversation with the client discussing a budget.
Have they thought of a budget?
This is important as it establishes the parameters of the project and starts the ball rolling.
If there hasn't been any thought given to a budget, I'm generally asked what I think it will cost.
Not always an easy answer, however once I know the scope of the project, I develop a plan.
Upon approval of the plan, quotes are formed and then costs are established. This then develops a budget.
Outside the scope of large renovations or builds, most Designers will quote an hourly rate.
I tend to send a monthly invoice, which I find clients prefer. If any deviations crop up that are outside of what was originally agreed upon, they are addressed before not after, no surprises!
The trepidation also reaches into: will the Designer listen to me?
I want a happy, satisfied client. This is my my goal.
The road to achieving it is through talking, asking questions and more talking with many questions.
Along the way there will probably still be more questions as we navigate through the project.
This is a two for one scenario. While I am listening and digging deeper into what clients want + envision, each answer starts a profile forming in my mind of ideas for solutions.
I want to know how you live currently, what you like about your space, what you don't like.
Who uses the space daily, do you like to entertain, are there children to consider, do you like sunlight, where do you spend your down time, are you a colour person, if so which colours do you like and which don't you like, what stays and what goes.
The list goes on, dependent upon the project.
This is the way all projects start, small or large, short or long. My job is to gather all the info I can to build upon and get to the end goal - a happy, satisfied client.
Part 2 to follow.............
Live well + enjoy!
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