I hear horror stories from friends and neighbors who have projects on-going for years. How/why does this happen? –BB, Olivette MO

Hard to answer without details about a specific project; and I guarantee you that everyone involved will have a different point of view!  That said, here are some theories: it could be that there were problems in the walls that before opening were undetectable.  Depending on the extent of electrical, plumbing, mold or other issues, this could significantly extend a project but is in no way anyone’s fault.  Stuff happens.  I would say ditto for Asbestos and certain types of wall insulation.  It could be that someone involved with the project became ill or was terminated for some reason.  Once or twice I’ve heard of projects going through several designers or contractors in succession (it never seems to be architects).  Choose wisely.  Specific building requirements are often the culprit, although generally buildings in NYC want you in and out in a specified number of days (this may not apply where you live).  I did have one client who had problems with her wood plank buckling.  The building allowed a removal and reinstall.  Then there was a flood & the process needed to be repeated.  The building’s freight elevator was booked for a year ahead and, at that point, the client had to wait their turn.  Sadly they were unable to move in until the work was resolved.  Materials NOT being on site at the start of construction and clients who make changes to the design plan after construction begins are also culprits.  In NYC you also run the risk of leaks and inadvertent damage to surrounding apartments.

If we’re talking about furniture, order from overseas at your own risk.  This can often mean 18-20 weeks if there are delays.  More locally, manufacturers go out of business and discontinue items all the time without notice; and in today’s economy anything that is not stocked, i.e. custom orders, may not even be submitted until the vendor has enough orders to satisfy a manufacturer minimum!  Also, recently I’ve noticed that some of the Big Box stores are not even warehousing merchandise locally and it will take several days to several weeks to receive your order.  In addition, floor samples seem no longer to be for sale, even when they’re the last one!

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Why are designer’s fees so high? –KF, Morristown NJ

A designer’s fees are only “high” if you didn’t get what was promised to you for the price you agreed to pay in the agreement you chose to sign; and if you then have to engage someone else to correct or complete the job.

Most designers earn every penny they charge by knowing where/how to employ appropriate materials; who the reliable vendors are; how to prevent you from making unnecessary and costly mistakes as well as for their vision, talent and training to see your project through to a successful completion.  They show up when they say they will.  They deliver what they’ve promised; and they understand how to communicate with all the trades that make your project come to life.  They are also skilled at resolving job site issues before you’re even aware that a problem existed in the first place!  Remember something; you’re likely making one of the biggest investments of your life here. Having to do it twice because it wasn’t done right the first time, costs a lot more money!!  So work with someone who knows the ropes, and pay them what they ask.

If budget is your issue, you can also scale your project back, or plan to roll it out in stages.  Known in advance, most designers will find a way to work with you, and within your budget.

And while fees vary across the country, I would suggest that you do some comparison shopping.  Someone charging $75 per hour may just be starting out and not have the expertise required to manage client expectations against the realities of your particular project.  Then again, it may be a fair fee for your area.

In and around Metropolitan New York rent, labor and transportation are high.  Annual parking fees cost more than many vacations.   And as an independent business, insurance and taxes are crippling.  Another factor to consider is that a designer often only works for you for a portion of a year, say nine months.  They still have to cover 12 months of expenses to keep their doors open!  Think about it, if you make $65,000 per year, your take home is roughly $850 per week after taxes.  If you only work for nine months, you take home $30,600.00.  When a project ends, a designer doesn’t collect unemployment to make up the difference!

As a general guide, the designer’s overall fees, no matter how they’re charged (time, mark-up or a combination of both) should equal roughly 30-40% of your total budget.  If you plan to spend $100,000.00, approximately $30-$40,000.00 of that will be fees.  Of course this figure will vary with the complexity of the project and where you live.

For further information on what fair fees might be based on, you can check Salary.com and Payscale.com for what an interior design firm in your region might pay a lead designer on their staff.

Finally, your dentist, lawyer or therapist is unlikely to “negotiate” their fee, so if you don’t value the designer you’ve chosen to work with -as a similar professional- you may need to move on.

 

 

What can a designer do for me that I can’t do for myself? The stores seem to have it all worked out for you. –DD, Riverdale NY

I don’t think anyone would dispute that today’s retailers do a terrific job of providing complete, easy-to-coordinate looks that you can take-home NOW.  That said, over time you either wind up in a sea of sameness (1 in 5 friends/relatives have that vase you loved or those sheets you thought were so special), or, you find yourself, over time, replacing items out of boredom, poor construction or changing fads (Remember Love Beads?  Olive Green Appliances! Pet Rocks? Memphis-style furniture?).

A retailer’s job is to SELL…to tempt

A designer’s job is to provide you with long-term value…with something out-of-the ordinary…with something unique to you…with something that supersedes fads and trends…with something that stays current and fresh this year…and five years from now.

A designer can also help you to solve storage issues, correct an uncomfortable architectural layout, improve lighting, guide you to the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams and help you to select and arrange furniture that you LOVE, not furniture you’re just ok with.

For your part, you have to be ready to trade-up or live into an environment with more permanence (and understandably, some additional expense). Maybe it’s because you buy a home?  Maybe it’s because you got a promotion?  Maybe it’s because your mother-in-law is coming for a month!  Often it runs parallel to improving the quality of your life along with your wardrobe, a new car or joining or club.  But it can also be because you’re ready to foster better conditions no matter where you live!

While I believe I’ve answered your question, you may also want to read the following segment, lifted from the on-line brochure on my web site.  It encapsulates a number of real-life situations that you may encounter and find you don’t/won’t wonder about until you’ve spent time and money that are not refundable!

Since you’ve posed the question, I trust you’ll continue to investigate…

COLLABORATE WITH KENT

In today’s world of easy-access design, quick-ship shopping and reality-based television, we believe that most people are, in fact, capable of completing a single room decorating project.

The challenge arises when you move on with your plans to an adjoining room, hallway or stairwell…sometimes months or years later; when you want to change themes, color ways or patterns; when you’re not finding that perfect print, or it doesn’t work with anything else in the room; when it “matched” in the store but doesn’t now in the bedroom; when you encounter exposed pipes or ill-located light switches; or when gaging the scale of your furniture, in relationship to the other elements in your space, begins to resemble a scene from Gulliver’s Travels!

None of which takes into account the distractions of a ringing phone, over-time at the office, effort at the gym, shopping, cooking, laundry and attention-deprived children or significant others.

Collaboration…and the coordinated whole

No one wants to look at a renovation or a piece of furniture and think “that was a mistake.” Our collective knowledge and experience with all manner of design challenges, and with all types of site conditions, allows us to consistently produce the best design results for your project.

Our Studio Staff is dedicated to the design of single-room successes as well as interconnecting interiors. We understand how to view your home as a whole, with an interwoven approach that coordinates all of the aspects required to complete your project.

Working together, based on the direction you provide –and augmented by our own imaginations we can effectively assess your unique circumstances and create a blueprint that reflects both your life and your lifestyle, which ultimately will transform your rooms into environments!

I decided to accept and inspect furniture deliveries instead of paying my designer for her time to do so. Now I have several pieces of furniture that are not what they should be. What do I do? Isn’t the manufacturer responsible? –DB, Phoenix AZ

Really sorry to hear that.  Sadly, you’re paying an additional, emotional fee here on top of having damaged merchandise that you paid full price for!  I often have this conversation with clients who are looking to save a little here or there.  And while it’s not what I recommend, it’s certainly for the client to decide.  That said, my staff is trained to know what to look for in the way of damage, or even what can be considered “acceptable damage.”  When there is a problem, we know what to do.  That’s part of the service we provide, and yes, there is a cost to that.  The question for you is, is it more or is it less than the price you’re paying now?

When you –the client- take on that responsibility yourself, it comes with certain risks and limitations (and even prevents) the designer’s ability to resolve the issue.  Once you sign the delivery slip, the Bill of Lading, you own that item and have indicated to the manufacturer that you received it in “perfect” condition, releasing everyone concerned from further responsibility.

In future, when there are problems, contact your designer immediately for direction.  If you cannot reach her, be sure to write what the damage is on the Bill along with “not accepted,” make a copy if one is not provided and then hand the original back to the delivery person without the expectation that they will remove the item in that moment (pick up may need to be scheduled separately, also now up to you).  Further, please remember that it is not the delivery person’s fault.  Their job is ONLY to bring items in, and take them out.

I have my materials selected for two bathroom renovations, my contractor in place and my drawings. How much time would it take for a designer to oversee this project? –CS, Brooklyn NY

A complete response to this question requires additional information.  Do you need/want a designer to arrange the materials you have selected?  If you already have drawings, hasn’t this been done?  Do you need the designer to approve your choice of materials?  Do you understand that it is illegal for most interior designers to act as the GC on your project?  The best I can do “within the rules” is to point out where I see issues with the installation to you (or to your architect).  I cannot point them out to the contractor.

For additional information on how much time this project would take, and what it would cost, please check out the Packages page on our web site.  You may also want to click on our brochure, Collaborate with Kent, located on our home page, which has a section on how long specific projects are likely to take.

I’ve provided a before/after example below to illustrate the types of materials to which I refer.