Home Renovation Contractors

Finding an Architect, Interior Designer, Decorator, or Other Contractor to Help Remodel a Home in NYC

Before hiring an interior designer or decorator, homeowners should first establish the scope of work, understand what each design/real estate professional does, and ensure they are looking for the right pro There are a number of design professionals that could be helpful in the remodel or redesign of a home. They are as follows:

Architects:

Architects are licensed by the state in which they are operating and are qualified to file drawings and file for building permits at local city agencies. You may need to hire an architect if you intend to build a new home. But also if renovating to an extent where building permits are required. In New York City, for example, most buildings require building (DOB) permits even if the renovation is cosmetic and an architect is often required. Architects vary -- some focus entirely on helping clients navigate building code, while others are expert designers and excel at project and construction management. Many clients will often hire both an interior designer (for the design) and an architect for filing for a given project. 

Professional Interior Designer

Depending on the jurisdiction, these may or may not be licensed professionals. Interior designers can help establish the layout of a room or home. Interior design services typically include space planning as well as individual room design like kitchen/bath finishes as well as living spaces, decor, and styling.  Interior Designers work on creating floorplans, kitchen and bath design as well as fixtures and furnishing for the entire home.

Interior Decorators:

Interior Decorators have the least professional certification. They are often hobbyists, looking to transition into a professional design career. They can help clients select paint colors, select furniture, or makeover their homes. Interior decorators often focus on furnishing and decor in living rooms and bedrooms. 

Online Decorators:
You get what you pay for. Large “tech” companies are trying to Insta-cart the design world. If you have a very low budget, this may be a fit. 

Fees:

High-quality interior designers will often charge a flat rate -- per project, or room. Or, alternatively, an hourly rate that is often presented with an estimated number of hours a project should take. Interior Design Firms are often able to purchase fixtures and furniture at a reduced fee from a manufacturer and will resell those to their clients for a markup

Design Process:

While each design company has a unique process, most projects will follow a similar trajectory. Each interior design project is a collaborative process between the client and designer. Typical project phases include schematic, design development, and construction documents. You may opt to hire your designer for overall project management: that is, coordinate the consultants, manage the Jobsite, QC and deliverables. 

Finding The Right Fit:

Referrals were traditionally the most common way for designers to get hired. But with the ability to connect with a broader network online, and via social media, many clients are finding designers outside of their network. 

When finding a designer whose work you like on Pinterest or Instagram, look through their body of work and understand the designer’s level of experience as well as the types of projects they typically work on. If undertaking an extensive renovation, look for a designer or firm who has completed similarly scoped projects in the past. You should, obviously, like their style but it is also important not to get hung up on any one project. A design project is a collaboration between the client and designer and says as much about the client as it does the design team. Look for an overall aesthetic — is it minimalist, and paired down or bold and intense? Is their work modern, contemporary, or traditional? How does that jive with your own aesthetic? 

The most important element of a design collaboration, however, is how you communicate with your designer. If you can easily understand one another and have a connection, the process will be a lot smoother. An interior designer will often project manage your renovation and will be your point of contact with the contractors, and manufacturers each step of the way. Looking for a team that is organized and punctual is crucial in the long-term success of a given project and can be difficult to gauge at your initial meeting. Past client reviews can be quite helpful, and can also be found on various search engines like google as well sites like Houzz.