‘Understand Your Clients’ and Other Advice From Pros
Several pros share important business lessons they’ve learned from recent home design and remodeling projects
Every completed home design or remodeling project brings a new understanding of the process. Hopefully the knowledge also helps the next project go more smoothly. We spoke with several professionals about lessons they learned from recent projects. See if their insights can assist you with your next project.
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More help for your business: Learn how Houzz Pro software can help you market your business and manage your projects and clients.
Designer: Cindy Jacques of Buttercup Designs
Design-build contractor: Daniel Builders
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Size: 109 square feet (10 square meters); 7½ by 14½ feet
The project. Create a laundry room with a “wow” factor and plenty of cabinetry. The backsplash is Arabesque marble tile.
The lesson. “Developing trust with the client was key in choosing finish selections,” Jacques says. “We spent many hours discussing the details of this project. She knew I completely understood her functional and design needs and that her satisfaction was my No. 1 goal. Don’t rush the process. Take time to develop the relationship with your client and understand their vision. Ask a lot of questions to ensure clarity.”
Design-build contractor: Daniel Builders
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Size: 109 square feet (10 square meters); 7½ by 14½ feet
The project. Create a laundry room with a “wow” factor and plenty of cabinetry. The backsplash is Arabesque marble tile.
The lesson. “Developing trust with the client was key in choosing finish selections,” Jacques says. “We spent many hours discussing the details of this project. She knew I completely understood her functional and design needs and that her satisfaction was my No. 1 goal. Don’t rush the process. Take time to develop the relationship with your client and understand their vision. Ask a lot of questions to ensure clarity.”
Designer: Gina Holz Designs
General contractor: Shain Development
Location: Los Angeles
The project. Design a functional and practical kitchen in a custom home where the homeowners would enjoy spending time. Deep-blue-gray cabinets (Ocean Floor by Benjamin Moore) with brass hardware deliver welcoming style.
The lesson. “The thing I learned from this project is, when designing a custom kitchen, it is important to take stock of what the client owns and keeps in their kitchen,” Holz says. “Not everyone uses their kitchen in the same way or has the same needs. It is important that they not only have enough storage but the right kind of storage. Do they have a large china collection they want to display? Do they have a lot of dry goods and need a bigger pantry than most people? Do they need really big drawers to fit oversized pots and pans?
“Whatever their needs are, it is important to learn about them all before designing the kitchen. A kitchen should be beautiful to look at and a place the owner is proud of. However, it is only considered a success if it functions the way the homeowners need it to.”
General contractor: Shain Development
Location: Los Angeles
The project. Design a functional and practical kitchen in a custom home where the homeowners would enjoy spending time. Deep-blue-gray cabinets (Ocean Floor by Benjamin Moore) with brass hardware deliver welcoming style.
The lesson. “The thing I learned from this project is, when designing a custom kitchen, it is important to take stock of what the client owns and keeps in their kitchen,” Holz says. “Not everyone uses their kitchen in the same way or has the same needs. It is important that they not only have enough storage but the right kind of storage. Do they have a large china collection they want to display? Do they have a lot of dry goods and need a bigger pantry than most people? Do they need really big drawers to fit oversized pots and pans?
“Whatever their needs are, it is important to learn about them all before designing the kitchen. A kitchen should be beautiful to look at and a place the owner is proud of. However, it is only considered a success if it functions the way the homeowners need it to.”
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Consult Other Pros
Designer: Tina Rodda of Eyder Curated Kitchens
Location: Falmouth, Maine
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 12½ by 23 feet
The project. A black-and-walnut kitchen in a new-construction modern farmhouse home. The cabinets are ultra-matte black lacquer on rift-cut oak.
The lesson. “Sometimes as a designer, it’s hard to allow yourself to make changes to what the client and architect have already planned,” Rodda says. “In this space, I saw how I could improve both the function and look of the entire open space by making a few small but significant changes. After debating the issue, I decided to consult the architect first. By doing this, I was able to confirm that my suggestions would not change the interior or exterior vision that was established long before I got involved.
“I’m glad I did because the architect appreciated being included and confirmed that the changes would not affect the big picture on the exterior. The client was very happy with how these changes affected the space, and I felt glad to have pursued the changes. This kitchen, pantry and bar are much more functional and beautiful because of them.”
Designer: Tina Rodda of Eyder Curated Kitchens
Location: Falmouth, Maine
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 12½ by 23 feet
The project. A black-and-walnut kitchen in a new-construction modern farmhouse home. The cabinets are ultra-matte black lacquer on rift-cut oak.
The lesson. “Sometimes as a designer, it’s hard to allow yourself to make changes to what the client and architect have already planned,” Rodda says. “In this space, I saw how I could improve both the function and look of the entire open space by making a few small but significant changes. After debating the issue, I decided to consult the architect first. By doing this, I was able to confirm that my suggestions would not change the interior or exterior vision that was established long before I got involved.
“I’m glad I did because the architect appreciated being included and confirmed that the changes would not affect the big picture on the exterior. The client was very happy with how these changes affected the space, and I felt glad to have pursued the changes. This kitchen, pantry and bar are much more functional and beautiful because of them.”
Designer: Sarah Schmidt of Dwellingpoint Design
Location: Lahaina, Hawaii
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
The project. Design a fun, easy-to-clean kids bathroom for a beach vacation house.
The lesson. “Choose a quality tile setter who wants to make everything perfect,” Schmidt says. “It’s worth the extra money. And plan your tile layout way ahead of time if you are trying to line things up like the windows and plumbing fixtures.”
Location: Lahaina, Hawaii
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
The project. Design a fun, easy-to-clean kids bathroom for a beach vacation house.
The lesson. “Choose a quality tile setter who wants to make everything perfect,” Schmidt says. “It’s worth the extra money. And plan your tile layout way ahead of time if you are trying to line things up like the windows and plumbing fixtures.”
3. Trust Your Instincts
Designer: Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design
Location: Rockville Centre, New York
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters); 12 by 12½ feet
The project. Create an eclectic, globally inspired dining room where family and friends could gather on special occasions.
The lesson. “I learned that the more true to myself and my design style that I am, and the more I trust my gut, the better the project will turn out, and the easier it will be to attract my ideal clients in the future,” Chiprut says. “For me, that means creating an eclectic and layered design while incorporating bold prints, patterns and colors.”
Designer: Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design
Location: Rockville Centre, New York
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters); 12 by 12½ feet
The project. Create an eclectic, globally inspired dining room where family and friends could gather on special occasions.
The lesson. “I learned that the more true to myself and my design style that I am, and the more I trust my gut, the better the project will turn out, and the easier it will be to attract my ideal clients in the future,” Chiprut says. “For me, that means creating an eclectic and layered design while incorporating bold prints, patterns and colors.”
Designers: Jordan and Annie Obermann of Forge + Bow
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
The project. Create a different spin on modern farmhouse style with classic details that feel luxurious. The cabinets are Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams.
The lesson. “For us, we reaffirmed that we should trust our instincts,” says designer Jordan Obermann. “Because of the longer time frame associated with this project, we found that many of the decisions we made in the beginning design phases were easy to question later on down the road. It was all too easy for us to second-guess design choices, especially the bold ones.
“But we carefully considered every choice, made sure there was a rhyme and reason to them all, and most importantly made sure that all parts of the design fit the mood of the house and architecture. Because we took the time to develop the plan well, our choices, even two years later, looked beautiful.”
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Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
The project. Create a different spin on modern farmhouse style with classic details that feel luxurious. The cabinets are Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams.
The lesson. “For us, we reaffirmed that we should trust our instincts,” says designer Jordan Obermann. “Because of the longer time frame associated with this project, we found that many of the decisions we made in the beginning design phases were easy to question later on down the road. It was all too easy for us to second-guess design choices, especially the bold ones.
“But we carefully considered every choice, made sure there was a rhyme and reason to them all, and most importantly made sure that all parts of the design fit the mood of the house and architecture. Because we took the time to develop the plan well, our choices, even two years later, looked beautiful.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Designer: Lyn Williams of Lyn’s Design Style
Location: Rupert, Idaho
Size: 323 square feet (30 square meters); 17 by 19 feet
The project. Design a kitchen with dark cabinets that still feels light and bright. The cabinet color is Black Panther by Benjamin Moore.
The lesson. “Every project helps me learn that each client has interesting and unique needs and wants,” Williams says. “Some enjoy stepping out of their comfort zone and some don’t. I try to bring a new and interesting idea so when the project is complete it is what they wanted but is better than they expected.
“With this project I had a client who wanted to do something different than most of what we see going on right now in kitchens. I learned that exploring even further out of the box is the way to go. Some clients will be willing to go there and some will ask it to be closer to the box. But you never know when you will get an even better design when you take that chance.”