Ask Your Interior Designer These 7 Key Questions

Make sure you’re asking the right questions.

Working with an interior designer for the first time? Trust us, it's going to be exciting and really overwhelming at the same time. Especially if you know nothing about interior design processes or lingo, it can be hard to figure out what exactly you are paying for in a renovation.

Still, being a newbie at this does not mean that you are bound for a difficult, terrifying experience! Work smart and get the most from your renovation by asking the right questions. Here are 7 things you should ask an interior designer to determine if he/she is the right fit for your needs.

1. "What services do you offer?"

While it may seem like an obvious answer, interior design firms actually differ greatly in the services they provide. Some operate as one-stop shops, handling everything from space planning to landscaping, while others focus solely on providing design consultations, leaving you to source contractors and oversee the renovation yourself.

When you engage an interior designer through Qanvast, you can rest assured. Most of our interior design firms provide comprehensive, end-to-end services, covering everything from 3D renderings and project management to on-site renovation works, ensuring your renovation is handled seamlessly from start to finish.

You’ll also need to check whether the firm is willing to take on your project. Some firms may decline smaller refurbishments such as single-room makeovers or renovations with a budget under RM30,000 especially if they are already committed to larger renovation projects.

2. “What is NOT covered in your quote?”

Unfortunately, not ALL quotations are written in minute detail. Thus, it’s important to probe your designer and ascertain if there are any hidden costs within. Go through the provided quote and find out which fees are merely estimates (likely to change) and which will remain. Typically, consultation fees are fixed, while materials and furnishing costs will vary, depending on your house.

For estimated quotes, find out from your interior designer what the potential variation range is (for example, whether this cost can increase by 5% or 10%), and do insist that they will have to obtain your permission for any changes in costs. It's also a good time to discuss with your designer alternatives to bring down costs or keep to the set budget.

3. "How should I go about payment?"

Renovating a home is a significant investment. While smaller projects might fall within a budget you can pay off comfortably, larger-scale works may require financing through a loan. That’s why it’s essential to understand your interior designer’s payment expectations upfront.

Most will request a deposit or commencement fee, which could be anything from 10% to 50%, with the balance paid during the renovation or once the works are done. Others may require a staggered payment schedule at various milestones. Ask your interior designer and see if both parties can agree on a payment scheme that they are comfortable with.

4. "What happens if I don’t like the design given?"

After an initial consultation, your interior designer will typically produce a 3D render and visualisation of their ideas for you to review. The visualisations should be based on your specifications and style requests as well as the designer’s ‘take’ on your space.

Thus, it’s apt to ask your designer about their policy on changes to the design. Interior designers understand that changes will occur, but will there be any additional fees incurred for a complete re-do? It's also wise to ask what happens if you decide not to engage them after the initial design drawings. Interior designers will usually charge a consultation fee and depending on what your contract with them entails, some may even require forfeiting your deposit.

5. "Can you work with the furniture I already have?"

Now, if you are on a tight budget or happen to like your existing furniture and fittings from your current home, check with your designer if they can fit your current furniture into the new home design. This can be addressed during initial discussion or during site visit. Usually, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you're taking a completely different aesthetic, you’ll need to let your designer know your preferences in advance.

If your interior designer feels that your current furniture won’t suit the new design, ask them to suggest alternatives that will work with your existing pieces. On the other hand, if you’re open to buying new items, check whether your interior designer can help you access merchant discounts or even arrange trade-ins for your old furniture to keep costs manageable. Do note that most renovation packages don’t include loose furniture, but your interior designer will usually recommend pieces that complement your overall interior style.

6."Is there a warranty period for workmanship and fittings?"

Everything may look perfect at the big reveal, but issues can surface weeks or even months after the renovation, such as cracked walls from extensions or water leaks from plumbing works. To safeguard against this, most interior design firms provide a warranty, typically lasting up to a year after completion. Be sure to confirm with your interior designer about the warranty’s duration and terms.

7. "Do you have a sample of your work?"

If you have found your designer through Qanvast, you would most likely have seen their past projects listed on our website. But you can still request to see designs that resemble your vision a little more.

If your designer can’t provide more samples, it might be a sign that they are just starting out and have little to show. Of course, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t good or that they won’t be able to handle your work. In this case, just ask for a reference. It’ll help you gauge their working style and determine if their clients were happy with the overall quality of service.

Find reliable interior designers near you

Simply request for free quotes below, and we’ll match you up 5 interior firms, based on your style and budget.

All recommendations by Qanvast are covered under the Qanvast Guarantee which protects up to 50% of your contract value, (up to RM50,000) if the recommended firm becomes insolvent.