Looking for input on interior designer

13 years ago

I will try again with this post. I hired an interior designer to help me pick out granite for my kitchen. The first time they(2 of them own the business) came to my house with a solid color quartz paired with a busy glass backsplash. Although it looked nice, it was not the grainy granite that I wanted. I did not want to make them feel bad so I told them it was nice and I would think about it, but still wanted to see some granite. The next time they came back with a granite that I did like. I then shopped the granite price and was able to find it for $400 less than the granite yard they sent me to. They were upset by this even though they said that I am the consumer and I can shop anywhere I want. I then received a bill from them for $1141, which includes 8.75 hours at $125 and 81 miles at .55. When they brought the granite sample to me they also brought 4 or 5 printouts of kitchen island pendant lights they found online that they thought would look good. I did not end up using any of them. The 8.75 hours included sourcing and selecting pendant lights, sourcing and selecting kitchen faucet (which they did not do). Sourcing and selecting kitchen counter top and backsplash. It also includes all phone calls, emails, faxes and travel to vendors and client. Does this sound reasonable? I was hoping to use them for a beach house that I am redoing, but can't imagine what the price would be for a whole house. Is this how everyone uses a designer? Thanks for your input.

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olldroo

13 years ago

I will be a little kinder than Judy, but it seems you did not really do your homework before hiring these designers. I really can't see the need for the two of them to have been working on the project together just because they are in partnership but that sounds like why your hourly rate is so expensive.

Next time you hire a designer, maybe do some homework first, check the designer's credentials, what they will offer you at what price then find products you do like, check for prices and show the designer options so they can pull it together for you. If you are not going to be proactive yourself that is more work for the designer and a bigger bill for you.

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Comments (10)

elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You hired, they did what you asked, brought you something you loved which you found for a better price. Buy your granite for the $400.00 less and pay them for their work. Don't concern yourself with hiring them again.. They probably, with good reason, will refuse to work with you again.

Your term "USING" a designer is apropos.

How cheap can you get? I would erase this dilemma immediately/
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PRO
Granite Grannies Hethmon
13 years ago
You don't need a designer to pick out one thing. The designer should be guiding you to granite companies who will complement their design expertise with expertise in the granite industry. The same with flooring, cabinets, etc. Designers should help you put all the elements together so that the end result is harmonious and pleasing.

As a side note, you absolutely cannot pick out granite from samples brought to you. You need to see full slabs of granite. Otherwise it's like picking your bouquet from a single petal.

If you are not pleased with what you got for the money, pay the bill and find a new designer. If you loved what you got, then a few hundred here or there should not be a big deal. Designers are wonderful aid when putting together your home, but if you can't afford a quality one, then you might as well do it yourself. As with most service industries, you get what you pay for.

When you choose a designer, you should have them give you an estimated cost up front so you know what you are in for. And if you absolutely can't go over that estimate, then let them know so that they can make sure to respect the budget you have set.

I know it's hard to find a home professional who is right for your project. It can be very frustrating. Just do you research on each company before you have them start work. I hope this advice helps.
Good luck!
elcieg
13 years ago
I respect roo's opinions all the time, so if she says my response was unkind, I apologize for my tone.

There is nothing more frustrating or discouraging than taking time to find a product for a client and have the client go searching on her own for a better price and then question the hours charged for my research. Certainly, you can buy that granite and save the $400.00. But, good design relies on good contacts. They most likely know this vendor, trust him, have a working relationship with him and can feel confident that you, as their client, will get the best service...or else the two will make sure that you do. All of that takes effort on their part...to have a portfolio full of reputable dealers who they can pass on to their clients is most important.

When you hired your designers, I assume you signed a contract. Did you only request finding a granite and nothing else? If so, then, no, you should not be paying them for their assumptions that you would want advice or examples on other items.

However, if your agreement that they would continue on with your kitchen design was clearly stated, then yes, their bill is fair, not necessarily reasonable.

As for the travel time, 81 miles @ .55, $46.00, 1/3 their hourly rate sounds good.

Again, apologies...I should take a deep breath once in awhile. :>)
olldroo
13 years ago
Judy I didn't mean you were unkind, I agree with what you say, I probably, in hindsight, I should have said I would be less blunt but with your vast experience I do feel your frustration.

This rather reminds me of current TV programmes where they show someone totally renovating a bathroom in a weekend and forget about the other 10 people working in the background doing the real work, while emphasising what a quick and easy DIY project it is. Then, in real life, some poor builder goes to quote on a renovation allowing the normal couple of weeks such a job takes to do it properly and gets abused for being so slow and charging too much when so and so on TV did it in a weekend.
elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
NO, roo, you gave me the "dumb slap" I needed. There is no excuse for my impolite response. I do not speak like that normally; I know you know that. I hope she accepts my apology. I was going to erase my remarks, but that is a cheap way out. :>)
olldroo
13 years ago
Still luv ya Judy.
PRO
Island Soapstone
13 years ago
You go, Judy :)

I know this might be out of place, too, but the granite guy the designers work with, might just be worth the $400 extra. The worst thing ever would be to shop stone (or any other trade for that matter) on price alone. A lot of times designers and cabinet guys have an existing relationship with pre-vetted trades and they know that the sub-trades will provide a good product in a timely and professional manner.

Quite often the reputation of the designer (or any other referrer of trades) depends as much on his own work as it does on the quality of the work they subbed out or referred to. I can only speak from personal experience as a business owner here. We are extremely careful about who we refer our clients to for work related to our own business. We set a certain standard for ourselves and expect all our other trade professionals to live up to that in order to give our clients the best experience possible.

What Roo said is very true: The HGTV and DIY programs never show the true work that goes into making that bathroom or kitchen happen. They gloss over the nuts and bolts because that is really not the "sexy" part of the remodel, and a lot of times the program hosts are picked on their good looks rather than their ability to do a good job. It is par for the course, but a dangerous precedent to set. It really gives homeowners a skewed idea of what tradespeople are worth and capable of.
kfdelcavo
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all for your input. I see that I should have had a contract that described exactly what they were to do and I really should have given them a budget. I was shocked at the price when I first saw it, but I do understand that I was paying for their professional guidance. They did help me with the granite choice, but at that price I knew I wouldn't be able to use them to do a whole house. I respect your opinions and understand that you bring much needed expertise to those of us who hire you. Thanks again for your input.
PRO
Aggie dba Aggie Designs
10 years ago
Most designers usually take a retainer towards hours, this way they are covered for their time. I do, anyway. $400 cheaper on the granite doesn't sound like the right place to save. The biggest expense in countertops is the labor cost, not the material. Are you going to get less skilled workers to do your fabrication and installation, or are these workers being underpaid? That would be my concern.

You don't seem like you trust these designers, perhaps you need to conduct more interviews before you hire someone? The trust goes both ways, you expect to get excellent results and we expect to get paid. If we get along and become good friends in the process, well, that's icing on the cake.

Best of luck to you, and I would definitely pay that bill;)

Looking for input on interior designer

olldroo

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elcieg

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Granite Grannies Hethmon

elcieg

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Island Soapstone

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Looking for input on interior designer

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kfdelcavoOriginal Author

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