Shade, Shutters & Blinds

Over the past ten years I have given plenty of design presentations to land projects as a Vancouver interior designer. Client satisfaction in interior design is often as much a matter of numbers as it is colors. My clients would find it unusual not to have early discussions concerning budgets.

To remove the guesswork from sourcing materials a designer has to have a good handle on how much is available. Otherwise the cost will spiral out of control. Too many items that make up a design sourcing list can chew into the budget well beyond their worth to the overall project. Start with the total and work within its constraints.

Beyond costing there are aspects to most interior design projects that can be anticipated. The size of a residence hints at the amount of space planning and drawings needed. The type of remodeling will tell you how many which trades and related permits are to be required. Professional designers have trusted trades so they can probably make a good estimate of their costs given the scope of work. When you get into the sourcing of materials is when the fluctuations can occur that balloon a budget.

All the design concepts in the world can be created and implemented for a price. Rarely does the job come along where that is the case however. In the real world a client has a need and a range of funds they can put towards meeting that need. They want to trust the designer as a creative resource but also one that is worth the investment. Be open about budget encourage the discussion of costs.

Asking about budget is not rude. But it must be done so you can professionally advise the clients on whether you feel their expectations are in line with what they can afford. This question gives many designers the jitters, especially in the high end. They hesitate to ask about price for fear of scaring off a potential client.

In my town of Vancouver and in my location in the downtown core, I come across many clients who are busy professionals. They are used to working with the same, with partners and team player to reach corporate or career goals. They are usually short on time and want to give their interior design project to me to save them from wasting time and not getting it done right.

Once clients decide on a budget they can be advised on what can be achieved. Each cost of a material or an accessory, a piece of art, the tile back splash, the type of wood for flooring, these all must meet the taste and function wanted by the client and still fit into the budget. Getting approvals and limiting surprises will make the job a whole lot easier for all parties.

During an interior design presentation, color boards get examined, fabric swatches handled and looked at in good light, and drawings for space planning are discussed to see if they make sense for the way the rooms are to be used. A lot of the concepts must be left to the imagination of the client until they have been created. Budget is not one of them.