The terms Interior Designer and Decorator are used interchangeably by the public. However there is a difference. Both create beautiful rooms and there are very good and successful individuals in each category. However, the Interior Designer usually has a wider range of knowledge and expertise. Determine what are your needs, and consider the following when making your choice.

Interior Designer - A person who creates beautiful spaces; can assess the use, function and safety of interior spaces; develop designs and have drawings prepared using extensive experience and specialized knowledge of design, furniture, materials, equipment, fixtures, and construction; and hire and supervise a variety of sub contractors.

Interior Decorator - A person who has a "flair" for decorating.

The identification process is important to finding the right designer for you. Depending on the size of your project, this person could be in your life and your home for a long period of time. The best experience will occur where there is mutual trust, appreciation of each other and clear and direct communication.

IDENTIFYING A DESIGNER

Word of Mouth: Ask your neighbors, friends, family and work associates if they have any recommendations. Word of Mouth is the very best recommendation.

Internet: Obviously, we would like to be of service to you. However, if you need the services of a designer in your area you can search a wide variety of resourses.

SHOWHOUSES AND MODEL HOMES: Attend designer showhouses and model homes and note designs you are attracted to. Identify the designer and make contact.

Yellow Pages: Both on line and your local phone directory - look under Interior Designers and Decorators. You might also want to call your local Chamber of Commerce for suggestions.

THE PHONE INTERVIEW:

Now that the identification process is complete, prepare a brief description of your project and a list of questions you want answered. If you are going to interview several designers ask each one the same questions so you can compare their answers and your feelings about each one.

Some suggested questions:

• Determine if the person is a designer or a decorator.
• After describing your project, ask if this is a project the designer would be interested in and if the designer has experience in this type of project.
• If you have a deadline, ask if the designer can meet your deadline.
• Ask how the designer charges for products and services, (see below How Designers Charge).
• Is the designer willing and able to work within your budget? Don't be afraid to inform the designer about your budget.
• Does the designer have a staff? If so, who will handle your project? Can you be assured of having the same person throughout the term of the project?
• If the designer uses sub contractors (painters, paperhangers etc.) are they all insured?
• Will references be furnished and does the designer have a portfolio you can see?

PERSONAL VISIT

• Is the designer on time - this will be an important indication of the respect the designer has for you and your time and how your projects schedule will be kept.
• Does the designer listen to your needs and concerns?
• Do you trust the answers you are getting?
• Does there seem to be a good "chemistry" between you?
• Is there a letter of agreement or some other written explanation of the relationship which includes design fees?
• Before leaving do you both have a clear understanding about the next step?

  HOW INTERIOR DESIGNERS CHARGE

Designers determine their own formulas for how they will charge for their services and products. It is important that you understand your designers method of charging and terms of payment. The following are presented to give you a general overview.

DESIGN FEES - Fees will vary locally, regionally and from designer to designer. It is important to understand what the fees will cover and that design fees are for services and do not include products.

• HOURLY RATE - These fees are normally charged for time the designer spends working with you and doing the research necessary to design your project. You are paying for the designers training; experience; expertise; creativity; network of professional contacts and resources; scheduling and supervision of sub contractors; deliveries and installations of products; and a guarantee of the quality of the work.
• FIXED RATE - In this case the designer estimates the amount of time necessary to design and implement your project and quotes a fixed rate for the entire project. A retainer will normally be charged and then a schedule of additional payments be determined, ending with final payment at completion of the project. This method is generally not used in residential projects because it is difficult to estimate the length of design time each project will take.

PERCENTAGE ABOVE COST - In effect, the designer is receiving a commission for products sold to you. For example, you may go to a showroom with a designer to purchase furniture. The designer probably has an agreement with the showroom that allows the designer to purchase at a " designer discount". The designer sells to you at a percentage above the designers cost. That percentage will vary from designer to designer, region to region and often by product.

RETAIL - In this case the designer may buy at wholesale and sell to you at the wholesalers suggested retail or some variation of suggested retail. Each designer is free to determine their own retail price.

COMBINATION OF ANY OR ALL OF ABOVE - Depending upon your project, you and the designer may work out a custom agreement. This agreement may combine the above ingredients and any other items that are unique to your situation. For example, if you are hiring an out of town designer who must incur travel costs to meet with you, there may need to be a travel allowance and/or per diem cost determined.

Not only is it important to your relationship with your designer that you have a clear understanding of how you will be charged for services and products, it is also important that you discuss and resolve any misunderstanding as they occur.

NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN YOUR STATE. THERE ARE SOME STATES THAT REQUIRE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE LISCENSED BY THE STATE IN ORDER TO PRACTICE IN THAT STATE. PENNSYLVANIA DOES NOT HAVE ANY RESTRICTIVE LAWS AND THEREFORE SPECIAL SPACES CAN ASSIST WITH ANY PROJECT IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA BUT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH PROJECTS IN OTHER STATES.
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HOW TO CHOOSE A BUILDER / REMODELER

The identification process is also critical to finding the right builder / remodeler for you. Depending on the size of your project, this person could be in your life and your home for a long period of time. The best experience will occur where there is mutual trust, appreciation of each other and clear and direct communication.

IDENTIFYING BUILDERS / REMODELERS

Word of Mouth: Ask your neighbors, friends, family and work associates if they have any recommendations. Word of Mouth if the very best recommendation.

Internet: Check with a reputable on line referral service such as http://www.improvenet.com. Typically, these services have screened contractors and can refer you to a contractor in your area. The service provides the contractor with a short description of your project, the estimated hire date and the general location of the project. If interested, the contractor responds positively to the service and the service sends the name and phone number of the client. The contractor then contacts the client and an appointment is made. The contractor pays a small referral fee for the name and if the contract is awarded to the contractor, there is another larger referral fee paid to the service. Usually the contractor has agreed with the service not to pass the fees on to the client.

Yellow Pages: Both on line and your local phone directory - look under general contractor, remodeling and home builders. You might also want to call your local Home Builders Association and Chamber of Commerce for suggestions.

THE PHONE INTERVIEW:

Prepare a brief description of your project and a list of question you want answered. If you are going to interview several contractors ask each one the same questions so you can compare their answers and your feelings about each one.
Some suggested questions:

• After describing your project, ask if this is a project the contractor would be interested in doing and if the contractor has any experience in this type of project.
• If you have a deadline, ask if the contractor can meet your deadline
• Ask how the contractor charges for his/her products and services.
• Does the contractor have hired staff or use sub contractors?
• If using sub contractors are they all insured?
• If you need design assistance, how will the contractor handle that? How will that assistance be billed?
• Who does the drawings and who pays for the drawings?
• What are the contractors terms of payment?
• Will references be furnished and is there a portfolio of projects for you to see?

PERSONAL VISIT

• Is the contractor on time - this will be an important indication of the respect the contractor has for you and your time and how a construction schedule will be kept.
• Is the contractor neat and clean - another indication of how your home will be treated during construction.
• Does the contractor listen to you - your needs and concerns?
• Do you trust the answers you are getting?
• Does there seem to be a good "chemistry" between you?
• What is the warranty offered by the contractor?
• What type of disruption will the project cause for your family?
• Once the contractor begins your project, will the work continue on a daily basis until completion or will the contractor be jumping from your project to others?
• Before leaving do you both have a clear understanding about the next step?

DESIGNING AND ESTIMATING THE PROJECT

• Is the timetable for designing and estimating the project moving as promised. If not has the contractor called you to inform you of any delays?
• Are your phone calls returned in a timely manor?
• Has your list of custom items been recorded and noted so accurate estimates can be developed and if you need to "shop" are you keeping your part of the timetable?

PRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACT

• The moment of truth is at hand. Just a word of preparation. The price is always higher than you expect it will be.
• Is the contract written with full descriptions of what is included?
• Ask about allowances - when exact items have not been chosen in advance, it is standard for a contract to have an allowance given. If the client chooses an item that is more expensive than the allowance the client is responsible for the additional amount.
• Make sure that everything you think is being done by the contractor is in writing and properly detailed.
• Does the contract include an approximate start and completion date?
• Does the contract include exact item numbers for products that have been chosen?
• Is there a clause for processing change orders?
• Is the deposit and the remaining schedule of payments spelled out? There should be a deposit required with a schedule of additional payments at completions of the different stages with final payment not required until completion of the project and the final walk through has been held.
• If there are T & M or "time and material" items, are they defined in the contract. T & M items occur in remodeling projects when it can not be determined what will be found when tear out begins - ie does the wall board need to be replaced behind the wall in a bathroom remodeling project or in excavating for a basement what if rock is found?
• Has the contractor answered your questions or promised to get back to you with answers?
• Make sure the contract is signed by both parties.
• Is the contractor willing to suggest cost savings ideas if the price is impossible for you to live with? Remember, the price can not be lowered without you giving up something.
• TAKE SOME TIME TO REVIEW THE CONTRACT BY YOURSELF BEFORE SIGNING. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY MORE THINGS YOU FIND THAT YOU WILL NEED ANSWERS TO.

THINGS TO BEWARE OF:

• Is the contractor offering you discounts for items left over from another job or to use your home as a display?
• Are you being pressured to sign immediately?
• Suggestions that you give a cash deposit - always pay by check so you have created a record of payment.
• Is the contractor being evasive about any of your questions and concerns?
• Reputable contractors have at least business cards to identify themselves and many times other printed materials regarding their company and their services. If your contractor has none of these - beware!
• Beware of the contractor who writes a price for you on the spot and on the back of an envelope. Reputable contractors spend time estimating your project (many have computerized programs) to protect you from overcharging and to assure themselves that they will be paid adequately.

A FINAL NOTE: There is a tradition among consumers regarding obtaining bids from 3 contractors. If you elect to do that, resist the temptation to hire on low bid only. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing the contracts. Remember, price is not the only consideration. Quality of the finished product and the relationship you are establishing with the contractor are also important.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO ASSISTING YOU IN CREATING YOUR

SPECIAL SPACE

CONTACT US
SPECIAL SPACES, Ltd. is a PA Corporation
Located in Mechanicsburg, PA (near Harrisburg)
CALL (717) 795-0773 FAX (717) 795-0774
HOURS BY APPOINTMENT

PA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION NUMBER PA001733

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