What does an interior deigner charge and what will they do

Sarah3

I am about to embark on a renovation project and would love to engage an interior designer (but don't know if I can afford one) to help me design a planned open plan kitchen, dining and living area.

I am wondering what an interior designer might charge for this and what exactly they will provide for the money.

2 stroke

Some of the work I have done has been through interior designers. In my experience, they typically charge an arm and a leg, and also insist on taking a kickback of 10 to 20% from any suppliers they recomend, either that, or they don't pass on discounts they negotiate to their clients.
My advice stay clear of them if at all possible. If you do deal with one, insist on dealing with suppliers directly, or check to make sure suppliers are fully paid before making final payment to designer.

Woodville56

Been following the thread and similar elsewhere. Our own idea, if we can afford it, would be to get an interior designer to view the house, explain to them our preferred "look" or style and ask them to come back to us with a couple of colour schemes / layout ideas from which we could choose and then go about getting the work done ourselves through local painters / decorators etc. It seems however that a lot of interior designer offer an inclusive design and fit out package which leads me to believe that they operate a win/win liaison with decorators / craftsmen etc . Which is the cheapest option does anyone know ??

Grey_Goose

Have you considered just getting a Draughtsman to have a look and do some drawings for you with a Spec as to what materials you might need. Once you have that paid for you could then start the project and finish at your own pace.

2 stroke

You could call in to a kitchen showroom, bring rough measurments, pick out what you like, ask them to draw up a design, have them out for the final measure, and have the kitchen designed and fitted without an interior designers fee.

Muahahaha

Woodville56 wrote: »

Been following the thread and similar elsewhere. Our own idea, if we can afford it, would be to get an interior designer to view the house, explain to them our preferred "look" or style and ask them to come back to us with a couple of colour schemes / layout ideas from which we could choose and then go about getting the work done ourselves through local painters / decorators etc. It seems however that a lot of interior designer offer an inclusive design and fit out package which leads me to believe that they operate a win/win liaison with decorators / craftsmen etc . Which is the cheapest option does anyone know ??

Was wondering the same myself recently. Do interior designers offer a service where they draw up designs and recommend colour schemes, furniture to go with it and then leave you off to DIY ? I'm not sure if they do and what they charge but I'd be interested in finding out for future reference.

wandererz

I have been in a similar situation.
I was fortunate enough to ask a few questions off Dermot Bannon who seems to be all into open plan etc but doesn't seem to be too clued up on opening up / open plan living for my area of interest which is an apartment.

There are thousands of mass produced 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in this country which are standardised and also restricted by silly fire laws, so nobody bothers about them.

I have had a colleague whose spouse is an interior designer also not bother to get back to me.
I've also had two builders come in and promise stuff only to not get back with a quote.

It's all very frustrating.

In the end i realised that the actual "decorating" could be done by ourselves.

For the bits that required knocking down of walls etc. i taught myself how to use google sketchup one Sunday morning a few weeks ago and by the end of the day i had managed to do up a 3D plan of what i wanted.

So, my advice is to scan your floorplan into your computer - then erase any walls and/or add others in and then use sketchup to draw it in 3D.

The kitchens can be drawn up by any decent kitchen company at no cost.

BTW, i was at the Ideal Home Show at the RDS and that was a major disappointment.
The only benefit was a design architects stand which mentioned a design service for around €300.
I am not sure however if that was only for the exterior. It all revolved around house builds so did not interest me.

firlodge

Hi all,
As an Interior Designer it is really disappointing to read people are so negative about my profession- but obviously there are good & bad in all walks of life!
Please don't give up on us all because of a bad experience with an individual.
I, for example charge a straightforward fee for design and/or drawing, & take no percentage from any supplier. If the project is of a reasonable size, this outlay is easily recouped in discounts from suppliers which (in my case & other professionally qualified designers) is always directed to the client.
Regards,
ER

Woodville56

wandererz wrote: »

. i was at the Ideal Home Show at the RDS and that was a major disappointment.
The only benefit was a design architects stand which mentioned a design service for around €300.
I am not sure however if that was only for the exterior. It all revolved around house builds so did not interest me.

Agreed ! I was there also, with a particular interest in picking up Interior Design and Kitchen design and fit out ideas and found very little of interest, particularly if you lived outside the Pale as a lot of the exhibitors were Dublin/Leinster based. Some of the exhibitors were quite peripheral to what I would consider the Ideal Homes concept ....teeth whitening anyone
We did find a couple of Interior Designers there who were helpful enough with ideas but as a totality, the show was a disappointment. I also applied (via their online website) for a 2 for 1 admission pass and despite confirmation that the pass would issue by email befoore the event, it never arrived !

yop

Mod Note:
Ok folks, this is a great thread and I see a lot of genuine questions and concerns. That said please be respectful to any Interior Designer who posts here, they are aiming to help.
With regards the ID's, Firlodge yes its fine to post as you are a long time poster, but for all ID's if I see any blatant promotion it won't be tolerated.

Woodville56

Wasnt really criticising Interior Designers, can understand that the would have links with craftsmen etc and no problem with that. Was just curious though if they work on a consult and design plan basis at all and let the client source and manage the actual refurb to a design agreed with the Interior Designer.

firlodge

Hi
Unless I'm completely alone in this.....Interior Designers are as keen as anyone for new business, & will provide a specification without being involved on site.
The best way to find one that you like is obviously through 'word-of-mouth', failing that, put your specific requests in an email to as many as you like (google interior designers - we're coming out of the woodwork! - check out their testimonials also) & wait for a response.

Anyone who wants the business will respond, & if they know the scope of work & location they can price accurately.

PM me if you would like my details & please do follow up with someone regardless - it makes a huge difference & may even save you money.
;-)

JosieMc

I need an interior designer to come in and finish our sitting room and give the downstairs a bit of a face lift, I'm looking for recommendations. I have a budget of about 7k and would like it to stretch as far as possible. I'm not looking to replace the kitchen and we need to keep our sofa. I need the designer to source everything and provide tradesmen, painters etc..

Hoping I can find some help on here

firlodge

Hii will PM you my details - ER

Muahahaha

firlodge wrote: »

Hi all,
As an Interior Designer it is really disappointing to read people are so negative about my profession- but obviously there are good & bad in all walks of life!
Please don't give up on us all because of a bad experience with an individual.
I, for example charge a straightforward fee for design and/or drawing, & take no percentage from any supplier. If the project is of a reasonable size, this outlay is easily recouped in discounts from suppliers which (in my case & other professionally qualified designers) is always directed to the client.
Regards,
ER

Firlodge just wondering could you give us a ballpark of what an interior designer might charge for a service of design and drawing for people who want to DIY say a single living room, 30sqm in size. What I mean by that is everything in the entire room from paint to furniture is researched by the designer and then listed with a note of where to purchase. A drawing also made up to visualise it to the client.
I'm just interested to find out what this kind of service costs and looking around interior designers websites doesn't offer me a whole lot. I get the impression that some of them would like to keep their prices hush hush in a 'if you need to ask then you can't afford it' kind of way which puts me off totally. I know there are many variables in the job of a designer but any site I look at fails to give any indication of costs. I think if interior designers offered and advertised a flat rate price to design and draw say a standard 3 bed semi or 2 bed apartment then they might get a lot more business because at the moment I get the impression that they only aim themselves at luxury mansions where cost is of no consequence. Whereas when I lived in Australia and the US interior designers were used widely by a lot of people; here I think people are a bit wary of even asking for a quote.

BryanF

wandererz wrote: »

I have been in a similar situation.
I was fortunate enough to ask a few questions off Dermot Bannon who seems to be all into open plan etc but doesn't seem to be too clued up on opening up / open plan living for my area of interest which is an apartment.

There are thousands of mass produced 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in this country which are standardised and also restricted by silly fire laws, so nobody bothers about them.

I have had a colleague whose spouse is an interior designer also not bother to get back to me.
I've also had two builders come in and promise stuff only to not get back with a quote.

It's all very frustrating.

In the end i realised that the actual "decorating" could be done by ourselves.

For the bits that required knocking down of walls etc. i taught myself how to use google sketchup one Sunday morning a few weeks ago and by the end of the day i had managed to do up a 3D plan of what i wanted.

So, my advice is to scan your floorplan into your computer - then erase any walls and/or add others in and then use sketchup to draw it in 3D.

The kitchens can be drawn up by any decent kitchen company at no cost.

BTW, i was at the Ideal Home Show at the RDS and that was a major disappointment.
The only benefit was a design architects stand which mentioned a design service for around €300.
I am not sure however if that was only for the exterior. It all revolved around house builds so did not interest me.

Are you sure people aren't just fobbing you off, as due to fire regs and apartment management , they know it's not worth their while entertaining your design whims?
Fare play for working out the design software your self but I'd be careful about altering the interior wall layout of your apartment without approval from the management company and chartered architect/ fire consultant.

Btw 'fire laws' are not 'silly' - were you not aware of restrictions on apartment living when you purchased?

firlodge

So a ballpark on fees:

Initial Consultation €150 plus Vat: to meet the client and determine the brief - generally 1.5-2 hours.
It is important that client & designer can establish a rapport - for most people who contact a designer, they care greatly about their home, & if they are to trust the advice of the designer, it is preferably if they like & trust them also.

From that point:
Design scheme for one room: €350 - €650
If a specification can be done online (flooring, fabrics, paint, furniture, lighting etc) then the lesser amount.
If drawings & details required and or liaison with suppliers etc then the higher amount.

For a 3 bed semi (as suggested) incl. kitchen, tiling etc - €950 upwards - again depending on what detail/ leg work the client requires.

So huge variation but again I urge - get in touch with designers by email & give an idea of what you like, then have that initial consultation, with no obligation to go back for more - trust your gut!
Good Luck Out there!
Eily Roe