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I'm planning on hiring professional help for design/decorate/organize help. I did find someone who does both but I'm not sure if that is the right way to go. A few questions:

1) If I hire them separately, does one do the work before the other? Or do they work simultaneously? Any tips on how I can coordinate these two different workstreams?

2) If I hire the person who does design and organizing, am I losing out on designer discounts that I have heard about? It feels weird for me to even ask the designer about discounts. I do know that the person who does both does not have any designer discounts. She was saying something about not marking up things she buys for people which them made me think that designer discounts might not be real?

3) I guess one other potential reservation is that I do want to do some remodelling and maybe this is beyond the scope of what the person who does both. Not sure how I can acertain that.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Well, I can speak from the view point of a designer. As a designer, I design...obviously.

I can design a remodel, including drawing up the plans as long as I am not moving a load bearing wall, and I can oversee construction. I can also design the decor for a room, meaning the furnishings, color scheme, layout, lighting etc. I don't pound nails, or paint, or do any of those hands on things you see TV designers doing.

I can design your cabinets to hold your specific belongings, but I do not clean or organize people's houses like some TV designers appear to do.

A designer should have an education and credentials including being licensed if your state requires that. Just ask.

As far as the designer discounts go, a designer has to earn a living. It is common for a designer to charge an hourly fee for the design work. Another way a designer can earn their money is to sell you items at retail.

It is pretty common for the design work to be "free" if you are buying a certain amount of furniture etc at retail. You will see this system at many furniture stores that offer design assistance.

If you hire a designer from a design firm or studio and pay an hourly fee for the design work, then it is common for them to offer you a discount on merchandise that they are able to purchase wholesale.

Of course some designers charge an hourly design fee and also sell merchandise at retail. As I said, a designer has to be able to earn a living. The bigger the job, and the more money is involved, the more likely you will be to get some sort of discount somewhere. For smaller jobs that isn't as likely.

My best advice is to ask a lot of questions when you interview potential designers. Be very upfront about your budget, and ask what their rates are and if they offer any discounts. Absolutely don't be afraid to be totally honest about money with a designer. It is very important!

If I were you I would do the organizing/sorting out/cleaning first. Then I would find a good designer and start on the design work.

I agree with cocok,
Why pay designer rates for organizing?

If you need help organizing, hire someone who specializes in that area.

And the designer, as I did in my larger jobs, worked with a contractor or remodel specialist that would work with my design and then all fees when through the Design contract.

You can also have the contractor as a separate fee but they will charge a bit more to pay the designer a referral fee.

And any designer registered with the furniture showrooms that they take their clients to has worked out their discount in advance. The discounts will be brought out up front if there are any to be had. I always let my client know what the price was, the salesperson, for example showing them the tile, furniture, etc. would let the client know the price through me and point out any discounts I was passing along.

Of course when a designer works with a certain showroom a lot he/she is bringing constant business to that place so their loyalty is to the designer so they won't reveal any business dealings with the clients.

The point really is, are you bargain hunting, for furniture, etc. or trying to go around the designer? If you really want the lowest price you possibly can get without inflated prices, then hire the designer by the hour for 'design advice' and also to go shopping with you. This way you see where your money is going and she can help you find the bargains. And be willing to accept any mistakes or problems that arise as well as delays in finishing the job. Whatever you take responsibility for in the process means you are responsible for getting it there on time. Some processes hold up another trade or worker (ie. sink, appliance, electrical, etc.)

Either way, you pay about the same, because putting a project that size together requires a lot of hand holding for the client and the contractors. So, there is no way to to cut huge corners unless you do all the work yourself, and go through all the permits, and time delays. A contractor makes sure the work is done right, to code, licensed workers that are bonded, and finished on time. So the designer has the responsibility to push the people doing all the work to stay on budget and on time. This is a valuable money saving factor you cannot ignore.

Good luck with your project!

Our firm offers your design plan free if you plan on making your purchases through us. Most of our merchandise is discounted off the retail price. You can also hire one of us at $150. per hour if you want to get professional help and then shop elsewhere or on your own.

Some designers will charge you a fee of 25% above their cost on goods and an hourly rate for plans. So there are many ways to work.

Our system works for us because we maintain our own showrooms and we have our own workshops.

The cost plus commission is more common for designers who work out of an office.These designers would bring you to a "design market" to purchase through showrooms they have accounts with.

Hi..I have a question about this, please. I have the house, i have the furniture,art,everything I need. I even have my wallpaper and paints picked out and purchased,even bathtubs,toilets,sinks and hardware. What I DON'T have is the knowledge of where to put stuff,furniture placement,what color what walls.I've got a terrific contractor but I don't want to be shuffling stuff around 3 floors to get it right. It's a tiny town about one hour outside Burlington, Vt. Who do I hire and how do I find them?thanks, all.

Vixen, this should get you started: http://www.superpages.com/yell...s/S-VT/T-Burlington/

Dear Vixenhouse, it is my experience that finding the right person will be a re-organizer/home stager, not a designer. By having all your material choices you have nothing left for a "designer" to do.

In our area there is a company called "Refeather Your Nest". They come in and give you ideas how to maximize the potential of what you already have.

Angie's List can be very helpful finding theses types of services.

Perfect, Thanks Charles. Sounds like exactly what I need.I will look for them.

Carol

Thank you for this link...this message board has really been a big help. Relocating across the country, I just don't know who or where to go to.thanks!

Design Matters in South Burligton, VT. advertise themselves as Interior designers and Home Stagers.

Thanks, Charles. I looked them up and wrote asking for a consultation in early July. Much appreciate the assistance!

Ps... I chose Vixenhouse because she is a Victorian "Vicki" my friends call her, but she was a difficult nailbiting short sale, so to me she is The Vixenhouse.

quote:

Originally posted by vixenhouse:
Thank you for this link...this message board has really been a big help. Relocating across the country, I just don't know who or where to go to.thanks!

You're welcome. Just remember: Google is your best friend.

Thanks for the comments. I'm still a bit stuck but every little bit helps. Oh well, I'm either going to hire the organizer who does design OR I'm going to hire the designer and an organizer who just organizes.

Part of me thinks that it would be easier to just hire the professional organizer who also does design. I really liked their design portfolio. I see the suggestion above to do the organization first then design. I honestly can't see how they can be separated. What if I implement an organization system that doesn't fit into the design or purpose of a particular room once the redesign is done?

Maybe I'm making this too complicated but when I look around my house, I see my organization and storage issues intertwined with my design issues.

The designer has a more polished portfolio but I still do like the organizer's portfolio. They both seem willing to work with the client's budget based on verbiage on their websites. However, I can't compare on price bc they have different structures (below):

The organizer who also designs charges 350 for a 2 hour consultation and then provides a detail plan and quote (not by hr).

The designer will do a free consultation and then charges 95/hour. Perhaps there are potential savings with discounts.

Any comments welcome.

I'm leaning toward the designer. I reread the info I had and they get a 10-40 pct discount on flooring, furniture, etc.

I'm asking them if they have worked another project where a client was also hiring an organizer to see how they have handled it. Maybe they even have an organizer they partner with on projects.

I'll post back just in case it helps someone else.

helpplease,
I like the way you are approaching this, with reviewing all the facts and information on the professionals you plan on hiring.

I am one who mentioned 'organizing' separate than designer, I was thinking you had collections, crafts, hobbies, and clothing (such as closets) garage and storage to organize, I guess I just got that picture in my mind. I figured if these were organized, then they would show the designer the 'amount' of space you needed to store these items in an attractive way. A designer does not need to design all closets, but if your Master Closet was going to be formal, then it would need to be a good finish on the units and presentable.

You had mentioned saving money, and that is one place you can save money by not having your designer spend (at 250 per hr) sorting through your items and working out your (hidden from public viewing) closets.

I used to remodel closets, organization of the home and kitchens. I would design the storage and work with the designer or Architect (when there was one hired) as to what finishes and drawer fronts (cabinet style) and wood to use. I worked with designers to achieve a cohesive look. There are also professional organizers we recommended that came and repacked all the clothing and accessories in the closets, at the time she was $60 per hr (over 10 yrs ago) so I am sure the price has gone up.

But if your organization is only what to put where (such as art, pictures, accessories) then the designer would be the one to have those items in mind when working on your scheme, plans and decorating for your home.

Good luck with your project, and please keep us posted! I would love to see how this all turned out if you could please post photos!

Thanks so much for involving us in some of the decision making, we all can learn from every experience shared!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,