You’re ready to enhance the look, feel, and function of your Greater Vancouver BC home. You have a budget in mind, and a general idea of what you want, or at least what you don’t want. The next step in your investment is to survey the marketplace for an interior design studio that is best suited to your goals. But after a quick online search you’ve found more options than you ever anticipated. You’re now wondering how to choose an interior designer in a city teeming with candidates. 

With over a decade of success in architecture, interior design and residential construction, we can safely say that we have significant insight into the matter. But instead of overloading you with idiosyncratic industry-jargon, we’re going to point you towards practical criteria to assist with your selection. Without further ado, let’s review.

5 Practical Things to Look for When Qualifying Which Interior Design Studio is Best Suited to Your Custom Home Project

I. Portfolio That Appeals to Your Desires

Candidate firms can embellish on their qualifications all day long, but the proof in the proverbial pudding can always be found in their portfolio. 

Have a look at prior projects for custom homes along with multi-family properties (of note to condo owners). It’s even a good idea to review commercial projects they may have completed. The latter may inspire those who own a warehouse conversion or other residential space that merges well with commercial/industrial design concepts. 

Most firms will have a portfolio on their website for your reference. That said, a busy interior designer doesn’t necessarily have the time to upload updates as projects are completed. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, be sure to contact them to request additional content. They may also host images and video on their social networks. Have a look at these, beginning with their Instagram profiles.

II. Diversity in Projects and Developments 

This qualifier carries over from above. Diversity in projects and developments speaks to a design firm’s ability to accommodate your specific desires. Experience in multi-family projects can reflect upon their ability to create an interior design masterwork for your custom home, and vice versa. When a firm has proven success in various residential and commercial applications, you gain peace of mind that they can manage your custom project.

III. Accreditations and Accolades

This is one of the most practical ways to determine how to choose an interior designer. To begin with, reference the Interior Design Team page on each candidate’s website. A professional firm will be transparent about the academic and industry accreditations of everyone on their team. After all, you’re not about to trust someone who simply has a knack for the craft. Collectively, team accreditations should include Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Interior Design Project Management, Interior Decorating, and Concept Design. These may seem to be one in the same, but each is a dedicated disciple that when taken together, formulate a truly full service studio. That, is what you need.

Furthermore, look towards awards and accolades that a candidate studio has received. This too should be transparent on their website. Examine more than just testimonials. For instance, if operating in BC, find out if the studio has been nominated for (or won) Georgie Awards®. The Georgie Awards are annually presented by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia. The CHBBC is Canada’s premier housing awards program, and is attended by over 800 industry professionals, government officials, and industry partners. There’s a lot of pride to be felt in having an Award Winning Interior Design firm design your home. Feel free to brag about it when hosting cocktail parties in the near future!

IV. Transparency Regarding Rates

You only want good surprises when it comes to the interior design of your home. That may sound like an obvious statement, but homeowners often receive unwelcome ones that come in the form of a final invoice that looks nothing like the original quote. 

How can you avoid such a thing? 

Only consider candidates who are transparent about their rates. While custom home quotes will vary from one to another, studios that operate under a flat fee system and offer full services (versus contracting out) can provide a quote that they can stick to. If there is no information about rates on a candidate’s website, you could be in for sticker shock. View more about interior design fees in Vancouver BC.

V. Accessibility

Last but not least, is accessibility in the form of timely and open communication. How an interior design firm responds to your initial inquiry will be very telling of the relationship (or lack thereof) to come. The same is true of follow-up inquires after you’ve had your introductory phone call. 

There’s only one way to test this one - reach out and initiate contact, then see what happens.  Beforehand, ensure that they offer a FREE introductory call, or you could be on the hook with a studio that you don’t even end up working with.  

Contact Calvert Interior Design Studio today to schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation about the wants, desires, and needs for your custom home.