Questions to ask before hiring an interior designer
The right questions at the first meeting tell you how a studio works, what you will receive and who will be responsible once work begins.
Choosing an interior designer is choosing who you will trust with your home or business for months. Portfolios show what a studio can make look good. The questions below show how it works, which matters just as much.
The short answer: ask about the process, what drawings and samples you will see before anything is made, how the quotation is itemised, who carries out the work, and how changes and handover are handled.
About the design process
- What happens between our first meeting and the start of work? You should hear a clear sequence: understanding your needs, measuring the site, layouts, materials, detailed drawings, then production.
- Will you measure the site yourselves? Accurate measurements are the foundation of everything built later.
- What will I see before approving the design? Layout plans, elevations of each wall, 3D views if offered, and real material samples.
- How many rounds of changes are included at the design stage?
About materials and the quotation
- Is the quotation itemised? Each unit should list its board, grade, finish, hardware and size.
- Which hardware brands do you use, and is that written down?
- What is not included? Appliances, electrical work, painting, flooring and civil work are common exclusions.
About execution
- Who makes and installs the joinery? Your own team, or another contractor?
- Who is my point of contact once work begins, and how will I hear about progress?
- How is the site protected and kept clean during work?
About changes and handover
- What happens if I want to change something after approval? Changes are normal; you want to know how they are priced and recorded before work starts.
- What do I receive at handover? A walkthrough, a list of what was installed and guidance on looking after each finish are all reasonable to expect.
Signs of a good answer
- Specific, not vague: "you'll see elevations of every wall" rather than "we'll show you the design".
- Written down: the quotation and the scope match what was discussed.
- One clear point of contact from design to handover.
Common mistakes
- Comparing studios on renders alone.
- Signing before seeing an itemised quotation.
- Not asking who is responsible on site.
In short
A good studio will be glad you asked these questions, and will answer them plainly. Bring your scope and budget too; our guide to planning an interior budget shows how to prepare them. You can also read how a Think Woodspace project runs.
