The all too important relationship between the General Contractor and Interior Designer
We all want to make money. I get it; However, providing exceptional service to our clients should be as important.
As an Interior Designer to often I hear the stories from clients that were convinced by their contractor that they did NOT need an Interior Designer. The client is left soon after watching their project, budget, and vision fall off the rails. In worst-case scenarios, the client is left running around trying to piece together their vision, source the materials, and finish it all up (all while paying retail).
This happens a lot and ends up costing the client more money, time, and a great deal of frustration with the contractor. This often leads to the space being left unfinished because of a severed working relationship.
When a contractor convinces a client to forgo hiring an Interior Designer, they are doing their client a disservice that robs them of what could be a much smoother and less stressful experience. Isn’t the client’s positive experience and satisfaction the primary goal?
Designers are not Contractors and Contractors are not designers. However, having mutual respect and understanding of the two roles is of utmost importance for the project to flow with minimal stress.
As a Designer, I become the center point of contact for the project between the client and the contractor. I provide visuals in 3D renderings, sourcing, and obtaining samples of finishes and materials, and managing the order to ensure the products are on-site and on time ready for installation. I present the options and visuals to the client in the comfort of their space which in turn maximizes the experience for them. The goal is for the client to enjoy the process of watching their space come together without worrying about the budget, schedule, and contractors because that is a big part of what I do.
Handling the minutia and details of the project while also walking the client through the entire process allows the contractor to work much more efficiently and promptly ultimately adding to a positive overall experience for the client. I know trends and what’s new on the market with an expansive list of relationships with vendors and sources for materials, finishes, furnishings, and accessories to help pull together the clients’ vision for their space.
The ultimate goal is for clients to be happy with the finished product and to feel great about the process so let us work together to achieve that goal.