Here at Rebecca Ward Design, we try to be as transparent as possible about what it is like working with us, our pricing, our design process, and all other information a prospective client might need to know for them to decide if they want to work with us on a home project. However, sometimes we still get questions on Discovery Calls that go something like, “I’ve never worked with a designer before, so how do I choose who to work with?”
This question often comes up toward the end of the call, when the prospective client has already heard all about our different consultation options, we’ve heard about their project and design needs, and the last thing on their mind is how on earth they are going to make the commitment to work with us when there are so many other amazing designers, and we totally get it! There are many other incredible designers out there so how do you know who you should work with?
Honestly, this is a hard question to answer, but there are some things we can say you should consider when trying to decide who to work with. Our advice starts with forgetting the design aspect of the situation and focus on the business aspect of things! Most interior designers pride themselves on their style and enjoy the design process, so odds are that they will be able to design a space that you will love. However, when you sign a contract with them, you are entering into a client-business relationship with them, so you should be asking yourself if you like how they run their business.
Interior design is a unique field because it is comprised of independent business owners who decide how to run their business, how to charge clients, how much to charge clients, and what their relationship is like with their clients. These are the questions you need to ask when interviewing designers! If the designer you are talking to won’t answer these questions or you don’t love the answers to these questions, they might not be the designer for you.
If you are asking these questions and still aren’t sure how to choose, you’re just going to have to make a gut feeling. Does the designer seem nice and personable and like someone you would spend time with? Do they feel like someone you can be honest with and feel comfortable around? It might come down to these feelings if you have more than one designer whom you think you might want to work with.
We always tell prospective clients who share that it’s their first time working with an interior designer that they should talk to multiple designers! The more designers you talk to, the more you’ll get a feel for how different people work, who they are, and what questions you should be asking. Don’t be afraid to interview a few so you can get a feel for who might be a good match!
At the end of the day, the client-business relationship is still a relationship, so take your time deciding who you can communicate well with, who you trust, and who you want to spend the next year with while you work on your home. If you think Rebecca Ward Design might be the design company you want to design your home, schedule a free Discovery Call!
XOXO,
