As an interior designer, you will make mistakes at some point in your career.
Making mistakes is normal, but learning from them can make a huge difference in your projects.
In this episode, I share my mistakes in interior design projects (hopefully you won’t make the same ones!) and the lessons I have learned from them. This comes from a document called “Lessons Learned,” where I keep updating it with new lessons from each project. You will hear about actual projects and solutions to help you avoid common pitfalls and improve your design process.
Listen now to learn from my mistakes so you can manage your projects smoothly and keep your clients happy.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
- Gain insights from actual project errors to avoid making the same mistakes in your design projects
- Discover the most common issues interior designers face and how to solve them
- Get practical tips on implementing effective systems and procedures to keep your projects on track and within budget
Check out these episode highlights
01:45 – 60% of mistakes in interior design projects are due to miscommunication and mismanaging client expectations
Problems & Lessons Learned on Projects
02:20 – Timelines and Budgets
Problem: A client with an unrealistic timeline and budget insisted on working with us even though we had turned them down on the initial phone call.
Lesson: Stick to your rules, realistic timelines, and budgets, and say no when necessary.
04:06 – Definition or Scope of Services
Problem: A paint consultation where the client was disappointed with the service provided.
Lesson: Clearly define and communicate details of consultation services or the scope of services to avoid misunderstandings.
06:30 – Order Verification
Problem: Wrong fabric on a sofa due to lack of verification process.
Lesson: Create and implement a process for ordering and verifying materials (CFA).
07:46 – Decision Maker Involvement
Problem: Spouse unaware of project costs.
Lesson: Have all decision-makers present at the initial consultation and ensure they understand the contract and billing to avoid surprises.
08:47 – Permit Issues
Problem: Delays due to a contractor who was eager to start the project and wanted to get the demo done before getting the permit.
Lesson: Don’t schedule a demo until you have the permit approved.
09:36 – Client Compatibility
Problem: Working with difficult clients.
Lesson: Choose clients who align with your core values by saying no to those whom you think do not align with how you want to work with them.
10:10 – Contractor Compatibility
Problem: Hiring unprofessional contractors.
Lesson: Develop a recommended behavior on site that you would have your contractors agree to.
11:38 – Commercial Project Challenges
Problem: Need for approval from a board.
Lesson: Clarify decision-making processes upfront.
13:02 – Project Costs
Problem: A client mistakenly interpreted the design fee estimate as the overall project cost estimate.
Lesson: Clearly distinguish between design fees and project costs.
15:47 – Clients Expectations
Problem: Challenges during remodeling or the construction part of the project.
Lesson: Create strategies to improve communication with clients.
Use of detailed PDFs, reminders, and emails.
Regular updates and touchpoints to manage client expectations.
16:43 – Systems and Procedures
Problem: A client did not mention being in a rush. Consequently, due to our heavy workload at the time, we prioritized other projects over theirs.
Lesson: Create and implement systems and procedures.
Use of tools like Asana for project management.
Weekly updates and regular check-ins with clients.
18:40 – My recommendation: have a Lessons Learned document to track ongoing areas for process improvement
Next Steps
- Curious about your design style? Take the Quiz: Find Your Perfect Interior Design Style
- Interior Designer!! Take the QUIZ and Find Out What Type of Interior Designer You Should Be!
Grab your freebies:
Join the Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
Check out the best books every interior designer should have here.
Enroll in Business of Design with Kimberly Seldon or DesignYou with Tobi Fairley today to scale your interior design business!
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DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question
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Thanks for listening. I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…