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Design DilemmaDIY
paulwarrenpwd

DIY Vs Hire a Pro!

Paul Warren Design
7 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hi All, I wanted to open up the floor and have a friendly debate. Do you believe that you can do it yourself or do you prefer a pro to take charge? Here are my thoughts... A good interior designer will take the time to listen to what you want and be capable of asking the right questions to make sure they are on track but also challenge you to look at fresh ideas that may well take you in a completely different direction. Choosing the various finishes and colours; working out all the details and specifications involved in the scheme; getting the proportions right, can be daunting but with the professional input of your designer, the options can be whittled down to make it easy for you to make the necessary decisions. They will also take most of the pressure away from you by handling the technical intricacies of electrics, gas fitting, plumbing and IT as well as keeping any painters, plasterers, glaziers, tilers and carpenters on track. Your interior designer is there for you to ensure that everything goes to plan, is done on time and falls within the agreed budget.

I don’t think it’s possible to produce a really well designed, expertly finished interior without their valuable expertise and participation. Investing in a good interior designer will probably save you money in the long run with the bonus of avoiding all the hassle and stress of trying to run the job yourself. I'd love to know what you think.. let me know below!

Featured Answer
  • Melissa S
    7 years ago

    I would love to use an interior designer (particularly for a big kitchen renovation we have coming up) but also find the idea really intimidating! We're first-time buyers who've never done this before and am finding it really difficult to get good information on what an interior designer would do, would need and would cost!

    Comments (25)

    • Daisy England
      7 years ago
      Reading the title of the post I wondered if you meant could you do the work yourself as opposed to hiring a professional. If this is the case then all I would say is most people think they can do most jobs themselves, but they can't and end up paying to have the job put right. We've seen this so many times in the joinery and kitchen trade. I'm not saying 'all' but most people.

      Would I employ the services of a pro for design. No. if you've got a good imagination then you should be able to visualise what you're planning. Granted this takes time and practice to achieve. I can walk into a customer's house, listen to their requirements and see the finished job. It's nice to be able to do that.

      If you do your homework, search and see other people's images then there should be no need to pay a small fortune to hear someone say put this there and that here.

      Most of it is common sense.
    • PRO
      Broadway Bespoke Kitchens
      7 years ago

      Employ a professional every time. They do what they do for a reason. We have been designing kitchens for over 40 years and so we can offer advise and a solution when tackling confusing and frustrating dilemma's.

    • minnie101
      7 years ago

      If I had the money then yes I think I would. I very much know my style now (or for my current home which is evolving) and probably don't need to be challenged style wise but where I feel a good designer would really add value for me personally is procurement. It's often hard to find interesting art, furniture, antiques, fabrics etc on the high street or just having the contacts for something to be made bespoke ( plus a designer may also pass on their trade discount! ). Not for my current house but I also love specialist wall finishes for example and wouldn't have a clue where to find a contractor. I think it's also hard sometimes to find good, reliable trades so having a designer with their own trusted trades would be a big help. That said, I think you need to do your research properly. As with any profession people excel, are average or poor etc. I also wouldn't want to end up with my house looking like anyone else's in any shape or form!

    • PRO
      OnePlan
      7 years ago
      I love working with a client - ie not just imposing my ideas but bringing out theirs ! After all they are the ones that live with it ! It's good to get a design that works well for them but that I know is safe too - so it's a bringing together of minds most often - although we do get brought in to 'just do something an average family might like ' for developers too.

      BUT

      ... If you do decide to 'DIY' please please please get your designs safely checked by a credible pro before you order anything when designing bathrooms and kitchen and new stairways etc etc ! It's really important to keep your home as safe as it can be !!
    • Sonia Bhayani
      7 years ago

      I think that it is super easy to discount the amount of knowledge & expertise that our designers have, this is all thanks to DIY tv shows which inspire us all to have a go. Although there is a significant financial outlay involved, budget permitting I would most definitely go for a pro- I don't think you can achieve that glossy finish otherwise!

    • Bebe Price
      7 years ago

      I am of the opinion that a great designer, trained and dedicated to their craft, is of the highest importance when it comes to completing a job. Many factors come into play such as project management, procurement, budget keeping and intricate concept design + measurement. All taken into account - the work of designers are not just the final outcome but all the groundwork before hand.

    • Joanna C
      7 years ago
      I wouldn't get one. I love design, know what I like and enjoy the process of putting my own spaces together. It's also great from a budget point of view - instead of, say, having to fork out 10k+ for a room in one go, I can add to it as and when - the space evolves through the seasons and over the years. I am very happy with the outcome too.
      However, I recognise my limitations when it comes to gardens so I'd get a designer every time.
    • Najeebah
      7 years ago
      I find diy to be great fun and it's extremely rewarding. it requires a lot of skill, knowledge, and time, though, so if you don't have/ can't get those, a pro would help
    • vansoire14
      7 years ago
      Why can't you have both? I have an interior designer who pushes me creatively and designs rooms that I really want to live in, but then (apart from wallpapering, which is really not my strong point), I hired sanders to take the floor back and stained & lacquered it, did all my own painting and very minor electrical changes (socket fascias and light fittings). You can have the best of both worlds then, and save yourself a few quid in the process...
    • A B
      7 years ago
      I think it depends on your stage of life as well. For my first home in my early 20s we did everything ourselves (interior design new kitchen and bathroom garden) which was hard work but we learnt so much and the house totally reflected us in the end. Our next move will be to our long term family home and I will be hiring all professionals including kitchen and interio designers but will be heavily involved too. Probably when I retire and downsize I will take on a renovation project and enjoy doing everything myself again!
    • Rosalyn Chadburn
      7 years ago

      I strongly believe it is important to learn DIY skills to deal with daily hiccups and/or any minor alterations you may want to make to your home, however, if I were to undergo a larger transformation I would definitely hire a pro! Even though I may have my own ideas and inspiration, the knowledge a professional has within their particular field is no match for an amateur like me! I wouldn't even know where to start when thinking about practicality, tilers, installation, electrics etc. Even though hiring a professional may be expensive in the short run, it would be so worth it in the long run.

    • PRO
      Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture
      7 years ago

      It really depends on the size of the job being undertaken, and the skills of the DIY'er.However, in my experience, once the job involves more than a single element, or multiple "trades", i have found that a lot of people underestimate just what is involved in organising all of the elements, in to an efficient, and manageable programme and timeline. We offer our clients a full service, to include all stripping out, building works, plumbing, electrics etc, as well as the furniture we make and all finishings. I always use an electrician for the electrics, a plasterer for the plastering, a tiler for the tiling etc, as it is the only way to achieve the highest standards, as thats what they do for a living. I also think that a lot of people perhaps underestimate the skills and time involved to achieve the right result, so for a professional, glossy finish, pro every time!! As for the design element, some people have a great eye for colour and design, but a good designer can encourage you to use materials, colours and designs you might not have considered, and make the most from the space you have.

      Paul Warren Design thanked Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture
    • PRO
      P & P Maintenance Services
      7 years ago

      As Red Dair said: "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."

    • ianthy
      7 years ago

      I think its important to know your limitations. We have always hired professionals for virtually everything but saved money by doing some of the grunt work ourselves eg stripping wallpaper, clearing the garden etc before landscaping. For interior design - I think its not just about the finished room, its also about the process of looking at different styles, evolving the room, making the most of the budget etc., I will regularly use the free interior design services offered in stores, and selectively I use some of the ideas in my own home. I wouldn't pay someone to come in for the same services because I am usually refreshing a room or area of the house, so I feel confident that I can do this. Here is the contradiction, we are planning to move home in a couple of years time and our furniture will not fit into the new house, so we will use an interior designer for this project. Its because its a whole house and we will need to create a cohesive look throughout and also save on the leg work of sourcing items too. We did the same when we decorated our current home 7 years, we paid for a farrow and ball consultation to come up with a colour scheme - saved the hassle and loads of expensive sample pots.

    • A B
      7 years ago

      One of the best things about this site is that I'm slowly getting a 'feel' for designers I would feel happy working with.

    • PRO
      Nicola Scannell Design and Property
      7 years ago

      I have had so many discussions over the years with people who have not used a designer or project manager and in nearly every case they have suffered stress, gone over time and/or gone over budget. Having a designer does not need to take control away from people which is some people seem to fear, to the contrary a good designer should be able realise their client's vision. Money wise I always aim to charge clients less than they save by using me.

    • PRO
      OnePlan
      7 years ago
      One of the things I love about Houzz is you can research your local or web based designers...

      ...so for example - if you do a search for a type of pro in your area - top tip here - use the 'all' selection rather than just specific, as Houzz only lets pros register for one selection but most of us do several of what's on the list ! You don't want to miss out on one !

      When you have found a selection of pros, look at their pro page - read reviews - look at their pictures - read the comments they make on the dilemma threads and you do get a good feel for what they are like !!

      Then make contact and see how you get along !!
      Paul Warren Design thanked OnePlan
    • PRO
      AVINU - Home Technology
      7 years ago

      We often meet customers who have a level of DIY skill, maybe time on their hands and are 'budget-wary', who wish to contribute to their project.

      The objective is to strike a balance of clarity for the project so our customer can still contribute. The value of the Pro is to ensure a cohesive approach to the project on services, equipment and schedule; something the DIY customer understands as they see the value and pays for it.

      A DIYer can achieve so much, and given the type of job, may be able to get by, but we think the clever money would be to involve some significant Pro input.

      Paul Warren Design thanked AVINU - Home Technology
    • Abigail Mensah
      7 years ago

      I honestly believe that it depends. It depends on the scale of the project and


      If I was just do design my bedroom for my own comfort, then of course I would do it myself.


      If I wanted to design my bedroom, in hopes that I'd be renting it out or I wanted it to have a complete transformation, then I'd hire a pro.


      A good professional is able to transform a room down to the type of flooring to the type of duvets. That type of precision takes years of craft and practice.

      Paul Warren Design thanked Abigail Mensah
    • PRO
      Create Perfect
      7 years ago
      Hi Guys. Great discussion. I think in truth many people love the experience. After all the home is yours and to be a part of making it yourself really makes it individual to you.

      With my clients I try to keep them involved and teach as much as I can as I go.

      Whilst I am happy to take on anything they don't or can't do and take as much pressure away as needed, I think it's important to learn and be apart of it. I often teach them how to look at materials, how to test colours and light, so they know the design they are getting and it evolves with them and what they want from the process and their new space!

      As said earlier one of the biggest hidden gems with a professional is often the trade discounts.. it's amazing how much you can save at such a crucial time.

      "Go pro but be in the know!!" - Me :)
      Paul Warren Design thanked Create Perfect
    • PRO
      Anna Auzins Interiors Ltd.
      7 years ago

      I'm coming to this discussion a bit late, but I think it's worth keeping up in the forefront. This is what I present to my clients -- that the benefits of using a designer are endless, not least in saving money.

      I let them know that not only will I come up with solutions to space and layout challenges, but I can translate inspiration and ideas into tangible outcomes. Costly mistakes can be avoided, and working with a designer can absolutely inspire confidence to make bolder choices.

      My list of contacts and suppliers is also invaluable, not to mention the discounts that others so rightly bring up!

      The experience of dealing with external contractors and knowledge of which materials, paint, wallpapers, carpets, etc., are the best value for the uses required ensures that the job is done to really meet the brief.

      Paul Warren Design thanked Anna Auzins Interiors Ltd.
    • PRO
      The Stair Guru
      7 years ago

      I think there are certain things that can be done by yourself, it depends on the quality and life expectancy or the product you want fitting, if you are after a quick temporary fix then DIY, if you want high end products that last a lifetime then always seek a professional, professionals are there to help, not pressure

      Paul Warren Design thanked The Stair Guru
    • Danielle Garber
      7 years ago

      Surely it depends on the scope of the job and the skill/vision of the person involved? In general though, I'm with you. For complex jobs or where you want a high quality finish, hire a professional.

      I think the reason most people don't approach Interior designers is that they have no idea how much they will cost, most case study jobs include the overall budget which may be more to do with the client's brief than the cost of the interior designer.

      I think if pricing was a bit more transparent then more people would take the plunge. I appeciate it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation but most examples are London based/high end projects that have budgets most of us can only dream about and people assume they won't be able to afford it. Interior designers also need to communicate the cost benefit more effectively to prospective customers.

    • PRO
      AVINU - Home Technology
      7 years ago

      Danielle you have raised some familiar concerns regarding understanding the costs; we often suggest to our clients who don't have an interior designer that the benefits are measurable and worthy of the investment.

      We work closely with interior designers and understand their respective offerings - and associated costs, which means we can refer our customers to the right affordable company/individual. In most scenarios they do end up purchasing some level of service.

      This is ironic for us as some clients also believe that having any form of lifestyle technology is expensive; and it is their interior designer who then refers us to help explain how our services will benefit a given project.

      ...and yes, the majority go on to secure services from us.

      For us, and many interior designers, i think the best approach is to declare that the initial meeting is free and you stand to scope the customer's requirements, suggest options and align costs. It's chargeable time we have to invest and we can always chat on the phone prior to agreeing a meeting.

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