This is the first in a series of posts by our guest blogger, Liz Hackett of Liz Hackett Interior Designs.

Her initial post is about getting started with an Interior Designer. How does it work? What should you expect? Is the consultation free?

By Liz Hackett

Getting Started with an Interior Designer

Research designers in your area and find one whose aesthetic fits your lifestyle and home. Look at their websites and social media and see if they speak to you. You need to find the right fit so that you feel comfortable

Contact the Designer

Set up a call so you can ask them a few questions about how they work, their fees, and tell them about your project. If it feels like a good fit on both ends then book an initial consultation.

Why a Consultation is Not Free

Your designer is coming into your home for up to 2 hours and is solely there to answer all your questions and provide design advice, suggestions and problem solve in that first meeting. You are hiring them to come for a consult that will leave you with valuable information whether you decide to work together in the future or not. That information comes from years of education and experience by your designer and there is usually a fee for this process. Ask the designer what is included in a consultation and how much it costs beforehand (for example my consultations are $425).

Ask your designer what their processes are and what to expect if you decide to hire them. Your designer should be transparent about money, timelines, and processes so that all expectations can be managed on both ends.