FAQ'S

Welcome to our resource area.....

Here you will find the answers to some of the questions Laurel Design are most commonly asked. 

If you have a question that Laurel Design have not answered, then please feel free to use the        contact form, telephone direct on 0191 4153100 or e-mail gill.jameson@laureldesign.co.uk.

Do I really need the services of an Interior Designer ?

This will depend upon the individual, on your available free time, patience, creativity or lack of it, list or resources, interest etc.

Below we have listed a number of points that should help you decide whether or not to hire a professional Interior Designer .........

• You have little or no free time to coordinate and shop for home decor items.
• You feel completely overwhelmed by the number of choices available.
• You need the help with spacial planning, lighting, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen designs.
• You want someone to deal with the hassle of ordering, delivery, coordinating, and installation.
• You require quality workmanship, but do not have your own list or reliable tradesmen and resources.
• You have tried to decorate your home in the past and have bought some nice accessories, but really need help in pulling it all together.
• You want a cohesive colour scheme and design that can be carried throughout your home.
• You think that you have pretty good taste and ideas, but can not quite carry the ideas through.
• You have looked through all the home magazines, and have cut out photographs of the rooms you like, but are unsure of how to coordinate some of the elements.
• You and your partner can never seem to agree on anything you want for your home.
• You have found gorgeous furniture in a decorating magazine, but it is only available to trade customers.
• You want some bespoke furniture, cabinetry, fireplaces, built - in appliances, artwork etc.
• You have no idea as to the new designs, fabrics or appliances that are currently available that you may want to use in your home.
• Your home is from a particular period, has a specific style, or has an unusual style or design and you need the assistance in selecting the appropriate furnishings and accessories.
• You want your home to stand out from the crowd.
• You want your home to be a reflection of your personality and lifestyle.
• You are tired of buying things here and there without considering an overall plan. 
• You are very creative but do not know where to start with your current project.
• You would like more choices in fabrics, wall coverings, flooring etc than are available in your local stores.
• You know what you want but can not find it anywhere.
• You are planning to build an extension or new home and are wondering if any interior specifications should be carried out or changed before the work begins.

There are so many interior designers : - So how do I choose the right one ?

Choosing the right professional to help you decorate or remodel your home is a bit like going to a matchmaker, except in this case, the perfect match is a shared design sense that can be hard to communicate when you are not exactly sure what it is that you actually want.

The only way is to interview the prospective candidates.  Once you have the names of the designers, your real work begins.

 Before the initial meeting, think about how you will be explaining your style and ideas.  Your Interior Designer may ask for images of treasured possessions as well as images taken from magazines that show rooms that you like, and do not like.

Also do not be afraid to ask plenty of questions !

• Can I see your portfolio ?  : - The key here is to look for a variety in work, because you are looking for someone that is versatile enough to adapt to your style.

• Does a trade body accredit all your tradesmen and subcontractors ? : - You want to be sure that your Interior Designer will only use professionally qualified tradesmen on your project.  Any work undertaken by unqualified trades' people will nullify your home insurance.

• What kind of work has the Interior Designer done, and for how long have they done it ? : - Ask for examples of high - end and low - end work to see how imaginative they can be on a budget.  Also ask for names of references and former clients you can call.

• What is your favourite kind of project? : - This should give you an idea if the designer is only after the most expensive jobs or if they know how to work within a budget.

• How involved can I get ? : - You do not want to hire a dictator, so look for someone who is accepting of the things you love and will incorporate your ideas where possible.

• How are your fees structured ? : - It varies , but will be based on either an hourly fee, a flat design, or cost  - plus, where the designer makes money by marking up the wholesale cost - or some combination of the three.  If it is a large project , find out if the work can be done in stages, for example , one or two rooms at a time.  Be sure you get a letter of agreement or contract that clearly spells out the terms.

• Would you be willing to do a consultation for a plan I can implement on my own ? : - Some designers may say "no" so check beforehand that this is something that the designer is visiting you is happy to do.

Isn't hiring a designer very expensive ?

Not necessarily - Developing the budget is a partnership between the client and the designer.  As the client, you should have an active role in developing the budget.  If you are unsure about costs, your designer can help.  Be honest with your designer about your budget.

There are many variables including the size of the project (one room or the whole house ?), quality of products selected (custom or prefabricated cabinet etc ?), and the time frame in which the project needs to be completed (two weeks or two months ?)

A professional designer assesses your needs and helps you determine where to spend and where to save money, prioritizing expenses while creating an interior that is within your budget.  Also, remember that not everything has to be completed at once.  Your designer can develop a long - range plan, consult with you to establish a list of priorities and determine a time line for accomplishing your project.

As the client you have to weigh up the value of the design and management fee and what it will save you in time, effort and aggravation.

What questions will the designer ask me ? : -

Before contacting an Interior Designer, it is a good idea to take some time to think about what you want and what you need.  The first step in this process is to consider some questions that an Interior Designer will ask regarding your project : -

Who is the space being designed for ?

What sort of activities will take place ?

How long do you intend to occupy the space ?

What is your time frame ?

What is your total budget for the project ?

Are you relocating or remodeling ?

What is the image that you want to project ?

Some of the questions might seem esoteric, like being asked to respond to a list of words.  But the answer to "Which best describes you - comfortable or stylish" can help a designer get a feel on your perspective.

Also, be sure to consider the positive and negative aspects of the space.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, do not worry.  Your Interior Designer will lead you through the design process.  Keep in mind the more information you provide, the more successful your designer will be in meeting your needs and expectations.  You may want to reference other visual images (photos, postcards, corporate logos, magazine photographs) or environments that reflect your aesthetic and functional criteria.

Is there a contract ?

The answer to this question should be "Absolutely Yes".  A contract protects all parties and sets clear guidelines about levels of service and deliverables.  It does not necessarily have to be a 20 page document - a letter of agreement may be enough.  Nevertheless it should cover the following points : -

• Scope of work : - This should detail exactly what the Interior Designer is going to produce for your design, for example, design boards, samples and swatches, detailed drawings, scale plans etc.  It should also specify what actions are to be taken and by whom.  An example would be a major rebuild might need planning permission - who is going to be responsible for obtaining it - you or the Interior Designer ?

• Project Approach : - This will cover the work sequence, essentially what is going to happen and when and the time frames for completion of each phase of the project.

• Fees and Expenses : - As well as a detailed quotation for the work to be completed you should also be given an indication of any additional charges that may be incurred.  Be sure you are clear on what is chargeable and when.  Also what flexibility is allowed within the contract for onsite decisions that may incur additional costs ?.  It is a good idea to put a ceiling of perhaps 10 % of budget that the designer can spend without your specific written authorisation to do so.  You do not want any nasty surprises at the end of the project !.

• Terms and Conditions : - This should cover the companies trading and the condition for supply of goods and services.

• Duration and Termination : - This is especially important if you are employing a designer to oversee a project through to completion i.e. site manage the project on your behalf.  You will need to be clear on what penalties you may incur if you decide you no longer wish to employ the services of that particular designer or design firm.