You’ve been kicking around the idea of making a change in your house.

Perhaps one of your rooms needs better function and you’re looking for help reconfiguring doorways, closets or moving plumbing and electrical.

Or You might need help sourcing new furniture because you’re in a new house and your old stuff doesn’t fit or your layout needs tweaking.

There’s a pro for every project imaginable but not every pro is right for every project.

Big project or small, these 10 make or break tips will keep your project from going off the rails and will keep you sane and excited throughout the process.

Source: Michael Helwig Interiors for Pottery Barn

1. Understand Who You Need

Know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator.

Generally, an interior designer is licensed, having passed an exam through a State or Governing council. They work with architects to construct homes and buildings from concept to completion.

Decorators, on the other hand, will finish a space while working within its confines. That means little to no structural changes.

However, some decorators also work closely with licensed architects and trades people to make structural changes as needed.

My advice: always ask if either designers or decorators offer structural changes as part of their services.

So to keep things simple, licensed designers do structural work and decorators will do finish work.

2. Know Your Style

Having an idea of what you like and what you don’t like is important for being able to communicate with your design professional.

Being familiar with the design styles that you like, even if it’s broad strokes, will help a designer know what finishes and décor to zero in on for you.

If you want to get familiar with current styles, a great place to start is with shelter magazines. You’ll be able to see pictures of décor and read about it.

Source: House Beautiful, House & Garden, Ideal Home

This will help you gather the correct words that describe that style, which will in turn help you talk about it with your pro.

Once you have the words and terms pertaining to the style you like, start a Pinterest board and fill it with images of that style.

Use the search bar at the top of Pinterest to look for pictures with the keywords you found in the magazines.

Best part, you’ll be able to share a private Pinterest board with your design pro and communicate ideas back and forth.

3. Find Designers Based on Keywords

When you’re looking for a specific design professional, you can search for them in much the same way you search for specific design styles.

If you have a small house or a tiny bedroom, do a Google search for “small house decorator” or “small bedroom designer”.

To specify location, include your town or city in the search phrase and you’re sure to see results.

4. Be Open to Working Virtually

e-Design has been a viable and thriving option for a lot of busy people all over the world.

The ability to work with a design pro online is appealing because it opens up a homeowner’s options.

You are not limited to working only with folks that are near you physically.

You have the option to work with someone on the other side of the planet if you choose.

Especially during this time, where the world is socially distancing, having a design pro that can meet with you and coordinate your project completely online is essential.

It’s a very attractive way to work because it follows the same procedures as in person services but you have the added benefit of a design plan made specifically for you with step by step instructions for completing your project as time and budget allows.

Yes indeed, working virtually with a design pro is much more hands on for you, but it’s perfect if you want to learn a new skill or a different, easier, way to make your decorating goals happen.

5. Keep an Open Mind

You may not like everything in every designer’s portfolio but many times we include a lot of work from various styles to show versatility.

It’s best to schedule a time to chat with your contenders so you can get a feel for their personality and to clarify your vision.

The ball is really in your court to communicate what you want to achieve with your design project.

And, you should always feel comfortable telling your design pro what you like.

Speaking your mind often will go a long way to ensuring the journey from beginning to end is smooth sailing.

A good designer will take the time to listen to what you are saying and ask for clarity if they don’t understand.

6. Make Sure You’re on the Same Page

This is closely tied to keeping an open mind, especially the parts pertaining to clarity and the scope of your project.

When you’ve decided to hire a design pro, it’s important to know what the plan is.

Designers are essentially project managers and there will be times when they need to have access to your home to tour with trades people, to measure and gather any other important factors affecting your project.

If you’re going the in-person design route, there will be a lot of people in and out of your house over the course of weeks or months.

There should be a schedule of expectations: start dates, length of project and a clear written scope of the job.

My rule of thumb is to pad the projected time to complete the project. If you’re told that your project will take 2 months to complete, double that time in your mind.

That way, when stuff happens – and it will happen- you’re not stuck on the anticipated completion date.

If you’re working virtually with a designer, there should be written expectations of what is needed from you: measurements, pictures, your goals for the job, etc.

You should also have a clear and concise written and acknowledged proposal from your designer including everything your project entails.

This would be everything you need to start and complete your project.

As I mentioned before, online design services literally put you in the general contractor seat.

You’re responsible for doing the work or, finding someone to do the work.

But any designer worth their salt will make sure you’re completely prepared to take on that work from day one.

7. Set Your Budget

The range of costs for services varies widely.

The cost for materials fluctuates based on availability.

This is particularly true as of late.

In the US, we’re seeing lumber shortages because processors were down due to quarantine but, the demand for building materials is up and projects are getting scheduled.

This is an example of something that’s are out of your control.

What’s in your control is knowing how much you are willing and able to spend.

Spending a couple evenings really searching for solid price information from consumer websites, blogs, or forums will help you get a handle on the costs of a lot of home improvement projects.

At the very least you’ll start to see a range of pricing.

If you’re outsourcing the entire project, gather your pricing information and find the average costs from across the range and add 20% to it.

This will give you an honest expense projection.

That’s actually also a good practice to get into for any outsourced service.

Adding the extra 20% will keep your expectations in line when the quote is turned into an order and that cost is higher than you expected.

On the flip side, online and virtual services are usually set.

Many online designers will charge a flat rate for the service quoted which lets you know up front what your cost will be so you can work it into your budget.

Even if a designer charges an hourly fee to work on your project, they should be able to anticipate how long it will take and thus communicate those fees to you.

8. Ask a lot of Questions

Your meeting, whether face to face or over the computer is your time to ask about experience, referrals, costs and anything else you have on your mind.

Ask about anticipated hurdles like permit requirements or supply shortages based on their experience.

A true pro will gladly engage with you in any conversations that will set your mind at ease.

If you don’t understand terminology or have a question about procedures, ask away!

No good designer will bristle at your questions. If they do, look for someone else.

9. Sign the Contract

Once you’re comfortable with your design pro, get the scope of your project in writing.

Your contract should have every facet of the job spelled out.

It should include costing, duration, and any pertinent information needed to complete your job.

You need a contract to protect your interests and to have clear and concise expectations in writing.

No professional will enter into a project making changes to someone else’s property without a contract.

If they do not offer a written contract, run the other way!

10. Be Patient

This is entirely about keeping your cool when things are delayed or when trades people cannot meet certain deadlines.

That’s not to say that when your contractor doesn’t show up for a month that’s all good because it’s certainly not.

But, if schedules change, be open to that occasion because it will probably happen, especially if you’re working with a construction team on site.

There can also be delays when you’re working virtually as well.

Those of us who offer online design services are also at the mercy of supply shortages and out of stock occurrences.

No matter what, your pro should maintain open communication with you and your contract should specify how long they will offer alternative product sourcing in case one of the products you need is unavailable.

There you go, 10 make or break tips to keep in mind when choosing a designer:

Understand Who You Need
Know Your Style
Find Designers Based on Keywords
Be Open to Working Virtually
Keep an Open Mind
Make Sure You’re on the Same Page
Set Your Budget
Ask a lot of Questions
Sign the Contract
Be Patient

I’d love to hear what else you may have included in this tips list. The comments are always open so let me know what you think.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

I’d love to connect with you!

“This man is a plant shaman. He not only designs beautiful rooms, he’s got a green thumb that works like magic! My peace palm never looked better.”

— David K.

“Michael Helped me to get my home office in magazine ready form. Thank you a million times for helping me figure this room out. It’s now my favorite room!”

— Dawn Z.

Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.