4 Things Interior Designers Expect From Their Clients
Do your part for a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship
The list of what homeowners expect of interior designers (IDs) is long: creativity and innovation, problem-solving skills, good communication, active listening, project management, budgeting, scheduling, flexibility and savvy negotiation with vendors. But what do IDs expect from their clients?
2. Respect the profession
While some contractors will offer free design services, their skills and knowledge, code of conduct and business interests differ greatly from an ID’s. IDs have formal training in design and have in-depth knowledge of how spaces function, as well as how to maximise the usability of a space. The subtleties of selecting the right dimensions, colour, texture, pattern, as well as being familiar with building regulations may not be within a contractor’s field of knowledge.
While some contractors will offer free design services, their skills and knowledge, code of conduct and business interests differ greatly from an ID’s. IDs have formal training in design and have in-depth knowledge of how spaces function, as well as how to maximise the usability of a space. The subtleties of selecting the right dimensions, colour, texture, pattern, as well as being familiar with building regulations may not be within a contractor’s field of knowledge.
This is one of the issues Cameron Woo, president of the Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS) and director of his eponymous design firm, is working to overcome.
“Contractors purporting to be interior designers but aren’t and offering free design, and clients expecting interior designers to also provide free design to match the contractor’s offer is a lose-lose situation,” he says.
“Not engaging an interior designer means there is no representative acting in the best interests of the client and checking if the contractor is building to the interior designer’s design and specifications. For the contractor, not having any design drawing from the interior designer is good for them since they don’t have any documentation to confirm the design or quality of specifications which give them freedom to build, charge and change during the construction process.”
“Contractors purporting to be interior designers but aren’t and offering free design, and clients expecting interior designers to also provide free design to match the contractor’s offer is a lose-lose situation,” he says.
“Not engaging an interior designer means there is no representative acting in the best interests of the client and checking if the contractor is building to the interior designer’s design and specifications. For the contractor, not having any design drawing from the interior designer is good for them since they don’t have any documentation to confirm the design or quality of specifications which give them freedom to build, charge and change during the construction process.”
One of Woo’s objectives volunteering at the IDCS is to educate the public and industry on uplifting the value of interior design services in Singapore and educating the public on the differences between the architect, interior designer and contractor.
Respecting the profession also extends to trusting the ID. For example, some clients push for design features against their ID’s advice. “We know what works and what features don’t look good and will advise clients for a maximum of three times. At this point if the client still insists, we carry out the client’s wishes,” says Tan.
Respecting the profession also extends to trusting the ID. For example, some clients push for design features against their ID’s advice. “We know what works and what features don’t look good and will advise clients for a maximum of three times. At this point if the client still insists, we carry out the client’s wishes,” says Tan.
3. Limit changes once construction starts
Clients changing their mind over colours or laminates are easy fixes, says Tan, whose company will even absorb the cost of more expensive laminates if it is not a large amount. “Clients need to be aware that making structural changes like opening a new doorway reverses the workflow and drags the timeline on,” he adds.
Clients changing their mind over colours or laminates are easy fixes, says Tan, whose company will even absorb the cost of more expensive laminates if it is not a large amount. “Clients need to be aware that making structural changes like opening a new doorway reverses the workflow and drags the timeline on,” he adds.
When changes do arise, IDs will document them through variation orders and credit notes, says Mark Chen of Artistroom: “A variation order is created to include additional items requested by the homeowner, while a credit note serves to omit items from the original agreement. However, it is important to make it known to homeowners that changes cannot be made once the items have been fabricated or installed.”
On the vendor’s end, detailed construction documentation drawings and specifications tighten the reins on changes and mistakes which may affect workflow and cost. “If the client approves a design based on a 3D rendering and no other drawings are provided, then usually lots of changes are likely to occur as there are no construction drawings or specifications for the contractor to follow. There’s bound to be misaligned expectations, misunderstanding and errors,” explains Woo.
4. Think about the little details
Clients should put time into thinking about ergonomics, lighting and even maintenance of materials and not just the big picture. “Most homeowners don’t like to spend too much time thinking about power points,” observes Chally Chee of Couple Abode. “They only realise after moving in that the power points are located in inconvenient places. It is quite a hassle to add power points after a reno.”
Clients should put time into thinking about ergonomics, lighting and even maintenance of materials and not just the big picture. “Most homeowners don’t like to spend too much time thinking about power points,” observes Chally Chee of Couple Abode. “They only realise after moving in that the power points are located in inconvenient places. It is quite a hassle to add power points after a reno.”
Proper care and maintenance of materials usually isn’t foremost in most homeowners’ minds until they’ve moved in and are about to clean their house. Natural stone and marble can be etched by acidic cleaners and some wood are hard while others are soft. Ideally, homeowners should ask their ID about maintenance at the material selection stage.
Caring for hardwood flooring
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Caring for hardwood flooring
Tell us
If you’ve worked with an interior designer, please share your experience with us in the Comments below.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore on Houzz, see images of their work, and read client reviews
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Homeowners should have a clear idea of how much they want to spend even if they aren’t sure about what they want to achieve. Exploratory meetings between client and designer can narrow the design intent and style but without the parameters of a budget, the designer is groping in the dark.
Be upfront about the budget even if you have an inkling that what you desire exceeds the amount you have to spend. “We prepare the costing after the first meeting and the client’s wish list might cost $80,000 while they have $30,000 to spend. We can then walk through the items to edit to fit the budget,” explains Eric Tan, director of Space Factor.
IDs know what things cost and can help minimise costs and maximise the benefits of your unique design plans.