Essential tips for choosing the right Designer or Contractor

Plan before you meet

Preset in your mind the basic.

• –        Budget for basic renovation.
• –        Budget for furnishing and accessories.
• –        Go through some recent magazine for your preferred styling and concept

What are you actually looking for?

• –        Design
• –        Pricing
• –        All above including services

Don’t confuse yourself, and never allow people to confuse you.

• –        Don’t speak to too many people. (unless you still couldn’t get the right person)
• –        Don’t get to many quotes. (As many things are not standard, some cunning play with figures.)
• –        Don’t tell the person you about the price and things you know. (Sales person are trained to counter the question you shoot.)

Choosing the Designer

• See and feel that body language.
• Choose that person you feel comfortable talking to.
• Be honest – with the interior designer
• (myth – clients are scared to be detail unless they are firm. Even so what if you do not engage them eventually, there is case trust, and 999 just a dial away.)

Signing a contract

Read and understand those terms and condition before signing.

• Put in writing the agreed amount, the things to be carried out, the gifts and those promises

Types of works

• Basic renovation – Tons of packages design to suit you feel and see any sample materials if any, run through carefully. Always get the sales person to give estimates before taking that package that excites you. (…)
• Renovation with that design touch – Ask for Design first, and material then that quote, widely available 3D Virtual Design with reasonable price for this services and is usually free if you take on the contract with them.
• Before you commit read, or at least speak to Person-in-charged, write on the contract you sign – certain terms and condition before you pay him/her.
• A.) refundable deposit
• B.) payable fees
• C.) chargeable services

Payable Fees

• Design produced
• Site visiting
• Other client house visited (outside office)
• Materials selected
• Multiple sessions involved

Essential tips for choosing the right Designer or Contractor (Part 2)

•  Don’t rush a contract.
• Have a clear mind before going to see them, preset who’s deciding, have a coffee before you sign. (Talk privately then decide.)
• Don’t rush the design.

What if…..?

• I signed and paid and regretted?

Speak to the Company Director

• RADAC respective
• Case Trust
• 999 (if you are harassed or threatened)
•  
• There are 3 sides of the story – your side, the other party side and the right side. Get a neutral party – i.e. surveyor
• In the event of a dispute
• Cool mind to speak
• Evaluate the problem
• Get a neutral party

Best time to look for them,

• 4-6 weeks before collection of keys
• Allow about a week for the designer to come up with drawing.
• Allow another week for changes
• Choosing of materials 2 weeks
• The final quotation with all that you’ve decided to fit in
• Provisional amount of things that you are not sure
• Then finalize then you’re ready.
•  Don’t spend too much time a session to choose your material.
• You’ll get tired and usually give up and grab anything that comes along when your mind just want to get out of it.
• Always ask if there’s alternative or a comparison. Don’t waste your time trying to choose if you find that particular shop have limited or materials that you are not keen.
• Average time 4-6hours per session

 Saturday and Sunday. (Always the busiest day for Interior Firms)

• Late hours – i.e.. After dinner. (Another hasty hours shops are closing etc)
•  
• Weekday – afternoon when one has less clients to serve, even the materials shop are visiting can serve you better.