The relationship between the interior designer and you is more important than the relationship of the interior designer and the builder. Put them on your list and evaluate with the other candidates.

The builder could be pushing this designer for any reason you can think of! Interview several designers and make you own decision/choice. Not that hard.

Yes to the above advice. Look on Instagram for this designer and others in your area.Hopefully you will find one YOU like. I find many very busy designers and other craftspeople have given up their websites and use only instagram, especially if they are one person or very small businesses. Just easier to keep fresh and current if they are working mainly from referrals.

True, but it can be a problem for the client when the designer is recommended because they are the builder's spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend or relative!

Does that matter if they do a great job? The OP should talk to the other people in the building who have used them both. I have a family member who is a contractor and I recommend him a lot to my design clients. He does great work and my clients appreciate the efficient construction/design process.

A builder generally will have a preferred designer because 

1. Designer is familiar with budgets and they make an effort to stay within those budgets

2. Less drama

3. Purchase sources are set

It's very easy to dazzle a consumer with exceptionally high-priced designer products that are completely unnecessary, more work to find materials within budgets.

Does that matter if they do a great job?

There are certainly additional risks but there are also benefits. This is a conflict of interest known as principal-agent problem.

It is incredibly difficult, many would say impossible, to work against your own interest (benefit). Most people don't do this consciously, they just tend to have a favorable bias to plans and solutions that maintain the non-client relationship.

Having said that, there are also some very real benefits that often (usually) overcome the conflict. A designer who has a strong existing relationship with a contractor (or vice versa) is less likely to encounter problems. I would suspect that @Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. can better communicate her design to her husband than to a third party contractor she hasn't worked with. I also suspect that she is aware of her husband's competencies to realize when a little more direction will help avoid a problem. While it is easier to see those benefits when there is a strong personal relationship, they likely exist in a strong working relationship as well. Furthermore, while a designer may have some bias towards solutions that are favorable to the contractor, the contractor will also have some bias towards solutions that favor the designer, which is a real benefit.

I would personally consider a designer who has a strong relationship with my contractor a real bonus.

These are all really great points. Any thoughts on the types of questions I could ask the builder-recommended designer to suss out any overarching loyalties to the builder? I am not experienced in building and have zero design sensibilities. So I am really hoping to lean on the designer to make up for my ignorance and help me avoid costly mistakes.

It's not what you know it's who you know. Relationships make the world go 'round. If a builder has a good experience with a designer of course they are going to suggest them. They want the build to go well and they have confidence in the one they are suggesting. Take that for what it is, make your assessment and move on!!

Selecting an interior designer is similar to selecting any other member of your team. A designer who has worked well with your builder in the past--like an architect who has worked well with your builder in the past is a proven entity. Why fight it?

I don't know that I am per se fighting it, but really have very little knowledge about the building process and want to be mindful about the major decisions I make. It is a vacation home and I wont travel to the site very often.

These are all very informative responses. Thank you!

If you trust your builder,  then I would seriously consider their recommended designer.  They gave years of experience working with them and are putting their own reputation on the line by making a recommendation.

Any thoughts on the types of questions I could ask the builder-recommended designer to suss out any overarching loyalties to the builder?

I once had a potential client ask me if the builder and I naturally defaulted to design elements we have done in the past because it was easier. I said no, we're not that smart. Haha.

You said this is a "semi-custom" build. Make sure you understand what level of custom they are providing. Educate yourself about the parameters that the designer has to work within so you can be confident in the design she is presenting.

Edited to add...

I would suspect that @Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. can better communicate her design to her husband than to a third party contractor she hasn't worked with.

The family member I mentioned above is not my husband. When hiring a husband/wife builder/designer team, I recommend investing in a quality pair of ear plugs. Lol.

Google, "How to find an interior designer" and lots of articles will come up. Here's a good one

https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2021/11/15/tips-finding-interior-designer/

I'm not a designer but I've worked with several over the years.

For me, finding someone who works in a style you like is important. A good designer will work in the client's style, regardless of what that is, but depending on where you live, certain styles are more prevalent and designers sort of "get stuck" in that style. I like modern and in some markets I've lived in, it's very traditional. Finding someone with a modern sensibility was hard but I finally did.

You say you have zero design sensibilities but you do have reactions to certain spaces, I'm sure. Spend time looking at pictures and snip the ones you like into an ideabook here on Houzz or go old school and rip them out of a magazine. I looked at your ideabooks and you don't have nearly enough pics in them to form a pattern. Try to load up at least 30 or more for each room. Note what your eye is drawn to. A good designer will look at those things, see patterns and understand what you like. When I was doing my remodel, my architect looked at the pictures of kitchens I had assembled and said, "You like a kitchen that doesn't look like a kitchen." And I realized, yes I do! No big vent hoods, appliances not taking center stage, rich wood cabinets in sculptural shapes, etc. Turned out great.

Don't be shy with whomever you hire. If you don't like what they are proposing, make sure you tell them.

Spend time in planning. It pays off. Often the best solution is the least expensive when you work with a good designer. They'll know where to splurge and where to save. Set your budget and stick to it as closely as possible.. Money spent with a good designer on planning and sourcing materials is money well spent in the end.

Thank you so much.

Wow this is phenomenal. Thank you for taking the time.

@User Great list of questions! I especially like this one: Do you just let me pick this or that, or do you tell me ”no” when I need to hear it, but don’t want to hear it?

The designer I'm working with now for my den and some bedrooms knows I love thrift stores, especially when I see something for a good price. I just can't resist. When I was looking for a dining room table, I would text her a picture of a great bargain I found. She would reply simply, "No" or "We can do better." I finally found a wonderful danish vintage one and she said, "Oh yes."

The other day I texted her this picture of furniture I saw at Habitat ReUse that was from a Harley Davidson showroom and asked if it would work for the den, LOL. Now I'm thinking it might just add that pop of color for the all black house you're doing. 🤣 🏍

The builder has given you a path forward. He mentioned two clients who are happy with her work. Get their names from him and see what was done. Ask if you can take some pictures and post them.

IMO you mention you have little experience with this type of relationship so why are you not at least meeting with the designer to see if you are a fit. Semi custom IMO is not anything. So what does this mean to you and the builder ? I agree if the designer is not affliliated with the builder what is the proble with getting another one if you do not click. The relaionship of client and designer needs to be a great one or you are both butting heads constantly . IMO have ameeting before worrying about hiring someone else and I agree go see the work she did for the other clients. I will tell you that a bulder in Calagry who was doing some loft buildings had his sister doing the interior design and it was all wrong for lofts she was used to doing huge homes in the suburbs so not a good fit.

@tozmo1 - I love vintage stores too and find it very hard not to bring home fantastic finds... (especially since I moved to the midwest & everything here is 1/10 of the prices I am used to) I should get the name of your designer and put her on retainer, just so I can send her photos of things and she can tell me "No" - pretty sure I would come out ahead money-wise on that 😅

I don't know what a semi-custom condo is but I did a gut remodel of my condo recently.

In my case the situation was a bit reversed as I hired the designer and wound up using the GC that she recommended and who she worked with frequently. I was able to view two of the jobs that he was working on to get a sense of the quality of his work.

There are obvious advantages to hiring people who have a good working relationship. My designer jokingly said that she knows the GC's strong points and weaknesses and there was no issue of there not being a very compatible relationship so that things were coordinated really well.

That said you need to determine whether you feel comfortable with a designer. In my case my designer had done work for my building when we redid the lobby and also some other places so I knew that she was capable and not a flake and had a real competency level. I honestly was less concerned with her decorating skills as a talented designer is going to be able to design different "looks" - or at least I would hope that they can work collaboratively with a client and provide something that looks and functions in a manner that the client likes.

I don't know what semi-custom condo is either.

Perhaps if you can tell us exactly what you are having built we can advise better.

Are you moving around some walls, etc on your unit in a condominium complex or townhouse complex that is being built, or one that is already built and in addition, you want to hire an interior designer to work hand in glove with the contractor from inception?

On the one hand, it is good to have a team that has a track record of working well together and turning out a good product.

On the other hand, nepotism (if that is what is the case) does not usually work in the client's favor in the long run.

If there is ever a concern or dispute about what is requested or communicated guess who will back up whom?

Of course you should always communicate by emails that you send with a receipt that they are read so that you know there is no confusion. That is basic CYA.

However, if you are going into a business relationship knowing that there is a very strong chance or that there is a definite conflict of interest because of a "relationship" between the contractor and the designer, that is added stress, isn't it?

Right now, you have seen zeroevidence of this designer's work anywhere, nor have you spoken to any of her clients.

And did you know, it has been done that people give phone numbers of supposed references who are actually confederates, friends who pose as former employers or clients and give glowing references who are in reality their buddies.

If you don't see online evidence of a portfolio, I would not give this designer any business.

I don't know anything about using Instagram to promote a business.

I do know that when my daughter was in 4th grade she learned how to create a website, and update it. Her entire class did, and no, she is not a computer geek. This is standard fare nowadays.

That a youngish designer who is supposed to be au courant does not have a website is highly suspect to me.

In addition, one should be able to look up a designer and her/his work and particulars without having an Instagram account yourself.

Some years ago, a former member of Houzz, Sophie Wheeler put up a marvelous thread about how to choose an interior designer.

Sophie Wheeler is no longer a member of Houzz, and many of her threads and posts were deleted and the search function on Houzz does not work well, and I cannot find this comments of hers.

Perhaps another Houzzer saved it and can reprint it here, please?

(And let this be an lesson to us all, save what you like, it can be gone in a trice!)

I was not able to locate the builder-recommended designer on Instagram either. I have sent her an email and asked for samples of her work from her portfolio and photos of any work at the development she has already performed.

This is a small, oceanfront development with less than 30 units.

I'm probably not using the right term as far as semi-custom. Because it is a condo, some aspects are set. And there are certain items that are set such as the appliances will be a certain brand, the balcony will be a certain size, etc. But all of the hard scape items need to be selected -- including floors, plumbing fixtures, countertops, things of that nature. I can also make changes to the draft layout if I would like to do so.

This is a second, vacation home and I won't be visiting the site during the building process very often. Some of the suggested questions above will be very helpful as I hope to have the designer be my eyes and ears at the building site.

The suggestions above are far better and more insightful than the standard "how to hire a designer" articles I find.

If she agrees to give you onsite updates, ask for pictures and short videos in landscape. She can message them to you however often you agree to her visits to the site. 4k resolution fron an iPhone can be plenty good.

It seems like this is an "in-house" designer who only works with this contractor.

Even if you called her previous employer, (even assuming you could learn who that was,) it might be difficult to get an honest reference because these days everyone is afraid of being sued.

If you select your own experienced designer whose reference you have checked, portfolio etc, who has experience with condos, and new builds, and working with contractors, there is no reason your selection cannot work with your contractor.

Part of being a designer is being able to interact with the contractor, architect, and you of course, and all team members. It isn't just picking out a faucet.

Now if your contractor all of a sudden starts acting like the hind end of horse to you or your designer because it is not his designer, then you might need to change contractors.

You are an adult, and you can't be bullied into whom you hire.

What part of FL are you building in? You don't have to give the actual town but the near area.

Treasure coast ☺️

@loobab, I did unintentionally locate her prior employer when trying to find her webpage. I actually love their work. Agree that most people are afraid to give an honest opinion.

But how much of the work on that company's website was specifically done by this designer?

Oh, if you are in Florida, do you want to get those windows for hurricanes? I know they are very expensive, but if you are spending a pretty penny for everything else, you might as well protect it all. I watched an episode on , oh now it slips my mind, either This Old House, or Bob Villa about the specific type of window to use.

@specialk1978 Not even Instagram? Wow, that is surprising. Not having a website doesn't surprise me for an experienced one person shop designer who works from referrals and doesn't need to attract the general public, but not having Instagram is surprising. Designers and craftspeople often have Instagram accounts just to share ideas with other designers and craftspeople they know.

FWIW my designer has a website but it is terrible and I would never have hired her based on coming across the website. 😂🤷🏼‍♀️

I wasn't even that impressed by her portfolio as it none of her projects were my aesthetic vision. I was most concerned about hiring someone who wasn't a flake or dishonest or any of the other horror stories.

We spent a LONG time talking about my tastes and how I wanted my home to function. We discussed various architectural and decorating "styles" so she had a good sense of what I liked I sent her a lot of photos of inspiration.

My original contract was for her to design the interior space - e.g. the construction and architectural plans that needed to be sent to the city for permits. These were very specific and used to bid out the plan to the GC. This was done for a flat fee and I had no obligations to go further and would "own" the plans.

I also hired her at the same time to create a design plan which included a story board. There was a separate retainer for this which was an advance against amounts that I would pay for her design services. I loved her storyboard and her suggested design elements. She totally "got" what I liked and although there were obvious changes in finishes and furniture selection the basic initial design aesthetic was the end product. AND it didn't (and doesn't) resemble anything in the portfolio of projects she showed me. Nor did the two projects that I looked at which she was working on with my GC resemble my condo OR either of the other condos. All three are completely unique.

Part of her services when I hired her was acting as my Project Manager and she was great at this - still is as I just got off the phone with her regarding the grout on my balcony and she is coming over to check it out and will interface with the GC who did the work. She was indispensable during construction as she knew what were real issues that needed to be addressed and remedied and what were standard minor glitches that would work out when everything was completeed.

@helen that is the type of designer I need. I am willing and happy to pay because I'm sure it would save me money in the long run on costly mistakes and I sure need the help!

@specialk1978 When I started my remodel I was a neophyte as I had never hired a designer and barely done any projects - all of which were minor like changing a sink or replacing a ratty rug with wood floors. But even though I knew I had no expertise I didn't realize the extent of my lack of knowledge 😂

Neither my designer nor my GC were cheap and I am sure that I could have found less expensive people but I bought a level of excellence and peace of mind that was worth every penny.

Why don't you reach out to @BeverlyFLADeziner for a recommendation? https://www.houzz.com/pro/beverlyfladeziner/beverlyfladeziner

She's one of the most generous and IMO, talented pros commenting on Houzz. She's in Ft. Meyers so likely won't do the onsite work you need, but she may know someone in your area. Or know someone who knows someone.

Thank you!