Call some designers in your are and get some quotes, often they will come and give you a rough quote.

Do some research on designers in your area to find a designer with experience that will be a good fit for you. Check magazines and the Better Business Bureau.

I would go with a Build/Design firm, where the people who do the designing also do the work. That way, the design services are usually included in the build price. The advantage of doing this is: you get a price which includes all their services, knowledge about what can/can't be done, and an esthetic which will assure cohesiveness throughout your home. Often, an outside designer will design something that is beyond the scope of what CAN be done without a lot of expense. Consider some of the HGTV shows where they say, after it is all designed, "Oops, we didn't realize that was a load-bearing wall, so we will have to spens thousands of dollars on a lam beam or steel beam." You don't want to encounter those kinds of costs.

LETS TALK MONEY...

Hiring a trained interior designer is a GREAT thing to do! Once they take you on as their client they are your best advocate, advisor and creative brain on everything related to changing your environment. They can bring experts from every field to the project, advise on budgets, assist with scheduling as well as create a CONCEPT for your space.

The ironic thing that most people do not know is interior designers earn the smallest fee in the chain of professionals creating new environments. While architects, engineers, landscape architects, cabinetry companies and all kinds of services providers (electricians, plumbers, finish carpenters) as well as contractors can earn anywhere from 10% to 25% of a project's budget, a lowly interior designer will often make less than 5%!

We earn a very small fee on most typical everyday projects. The problem is that there is a stereo type out there based on famous projects, celebrities and tv shows that promotes the idea that interior designers work mostly for rich people who spend lavish amounts of money. This is not the rule but, the exception.

I suggest that for your project that you start a budget of where you want to improve and spend the funds. Then set aside a portion of that budget for a design consultation that equals approximately 50.00 to 125.00 an hour x 3 to 8 hours. Most designers will not charge you for a FIRST MEETING to meet and determine if their services are required. Most designers prefer to take projects that required many, many hours of their time but, consulting for 1/2 of a day or a full day is not unusual.

You are the client. You can create any kind of deal you want but, listen to what the designer advises because, a good designer is interested in seeing a successful result more than anything and receives no benefit from giving you less than the best advise possible!

Meet with several qualified interior designers and discuss what the time requirement could be on their part for their involvement. Tall to neighbors, friends or co-workers to see if you can secure a good recommendation. Interview your prospects just like you would for any kind of consultant you would hire for your taxes, legal needs, insurance etc... Hire someone you feel you can trust, has past work you admire and who you feel you can talk to and share your ideas. Also, discuss money, payment policies, project management and liability issues.

Thank you for bringing up this difficult subject on money and fees. So, many people are reluctant to discuss money issues but, a confident designer and good business person is glad to discuss and explain costs ALWAYS. I wish you all the best.

Yes, yes, yes!
You will save so much money and be so happy doing it right the first time!
Take your time, interview several designers, until you find one that gets your style, budget and vision.
Just read all of the design dilemmas on the site, where people have bought the wrong stuff online at places like Overstock, Wayfair etc. just because it was cheap. Then they get it in their space and it is absolutely the wrong scale, color, fabric, you name it. That is such a waste of time and money. Just because things are a bargain they are not always the best choice. Go into any Homegoods store, there is a reason, most of that stuff is there. It didn't sell and is leftover stock.
Invest in a good design plan then buy as you can afford things.
There is no need to do it all at once. In fact good design should look like you have put some thought into it and not gone and bought everything from one showroom all at once.
Many young people go and buy a humongous leather couch, loveseat and matching ottoman. Please show restraint and do it right the first time. You will be so happy you did.
Good luck finding a great designer to help you with this process.

3+ years old post.

I stand by everything I wrote 3 years ago. I may have failed to mention how rewarding it is to me when a client and I work together and then after many sometimes hard and busy months of effort and work and final implementation, they tell me how glad they are to be in and use and enjoy the designed space and how amazed they are on the feedback and appreciation they receive from guests and visitors! Its like it made sense to them intellectually but, then really hit home once it was reality! I am always thrilled when they are thrilled. I will never tire of that!