- Follow us:
Tuesday, May 29th, 2018
The Campton Grove Fiona chair from Fine Furniture Design is one of the elements that harmonized with the other pieces in this well-designed dining room.
The DIY is a route that many homeowners wish to tread but are hesitant to do so. But as soon as you have figured out how your home would eventually look like, it’s time to ask yourself this crucial question – why should I hire an interior designer?
Interior designers and decorators weren’t as in demand in the 20th century as they are today. Although there is still this ongoing stigma that only the rich should hire an interior designer. But paying for interior design is not so much a question of the availability of funds but more of losing control over the design of one’s home.
There are those who hesitate to collaborate with an interior designer so they end up doing the design project themselves. But what are the downsides to this?
Carpentry Isn’t for Everyone
Admit it. Not everyone is cut out to do carpentry projects. After all, a carpenter is an expert who took the time to learn the skills needed to bring about the perfectionism that their clients require. A slight mistake on your part could lead to a crooked-looking kitchen cabinet for many years.
Hiring an interior designer or a contractor who has teams of expert carpenters, plumbers, and electricians is always the best way to go.
Electricity Is Dangerous
There are permits as well as inspections that need to be done when you’re out to improve the electrical system in your home. And since electrical work requires getting into a dangerous territory, that 90% that you might be able to accomplish on a DIY electrical project just might end up with the other 10% hurting you.
This isn’t a great idea at all.
Flooring Installation Mishaps
Most flooring projects are simply too complex to take on your own. What appears to be straightforward at first could easily result in issues that you weren’t prepared for.
Flooring installation also eats up time and it requires the right kinds of tools and supplies. Do you have the right miters, saw, seam cutters, kickers, spacers, and tackers? Proper installation can only be done with the right set of tools.
Now enough about the downsides of DIY projects. Let’s just look at the brighter side. What can contractors and interior designers do that you and your family cannot?
Home Renovation Package in One
A general contractor can offer you practically every service that you’ll ever need for your home renovation. All you need to do is to sit down with the team and to tell them what you require. The contractor will be the one to do all the arrangements, coordination, and even the scheduling to get your home renovation project done.
Most general contractors can also help you come up with a plan and design that will be executed throughout the project. They know whether it is really needful to tear down walls or to just have a workaround for that for now.
You also won’t have to worry about safety during construction because the general contractor will take care of that, too. Also, the team is insured (well at least make sure that they are). The liability insurance will take off the huge risk on your part should there be mishaps that will happen during the renovation.
General contractors are more than qualified – they are actually licensed. A licensed expert such as he and his team are experienced when it comes to the processing of inspections, permits, and being on par with code requirements.
Lastly, when it comes to design, interior designers have an access to the widest selections of furnishings, wall coverings, fabrics, etc. Plus these experts have already established a professional relationship with many of these dealers which is why it is best to get in touch with them and just let the experts handle the renovation job.
Tags: benefits of hiring a contractor, design contractor, general contractor, interior designer vs DIY, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, The Interior Designer | Comments Off on DIY or Hire A Contractor?
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
FIne Furniture Regal Double Pedestal Dining Table: The beautiful marriage of neutral colors in this dining room is difficult to ignore.
The beginning of a majestic design process always comes with the initial consultation. This is that moment when you meet up with the design experts and have an ocular visit of your home. This initial consult could also happen inside the designer’s studio which is the case when the house is going to be constructed or if a vacation home is to be set up.
An interior designer’s first interaction requires getting to know as much information about their client as possible. They have to know their desired outcomes, personalities, the timeframe for the project, and the budget.
Your selection of a design team also means looking for past clients. These are the people who can attest to the real portfolio of your chosen design team. Ask if the past clients were satisfied with the end result. Ask also if the builders have their license.
Warranty and service are also two things that you need to ask before signing any papers. Tour the model homes that they have made. The number of years that they have worked also count.
It is also important for the design team to know how the space will be used, discuss functionality as well as aesthetics. As a team, the client should specify the next meeting’s major task and what jobs to prioritize.
Find a design team that does not require a consultation fee or, at the very least, have a low asking price. The initial consultation should be a means to see if you and the team are a good fit. If you want the design team to take on the project a hundred-percent and you would just move in once it’s done, then specify that to them, too.
Material Selection
Another necessary step of the design process is the material selection phase. The design team will lay all of the options to you by this time. Be sure to give an honest feedback so that you will end up liking the materials used in your home.
While design teams try to get the material selection right the first time, there are also instances when some of the choices need to be revisited especially when they deviate from the desired outcome.
Estimation
The third step of the design process is the approximation of the project cost. Individual materials and products will be lined up so you can make your choice and make a final decision on what items to use. Take a careful look at all the alternatives before you make your final decision.
Most design teams will ask for a deposit once you sign the contract with them. This is the money that they will use to begin ordering the materials that you agreed to use for the project.
Implementation
This is the phase when actual construction will take place. You are bound to meet plumbers, electricians, flooring installers, wall experts, painters, general contractors, etc.
If you have your own set of experts whom you prefer to work with, then let the contractor know.
Final Inspection
So what should you expect once the construction is done?
Your builder must offer one last walkthrough before he hands over the structure to you. Have a blue painter’s tape with you during this walkthrough. This will serve as your marker as you point out anything that should be improved or was not done according to your specifications.
The builder should be able to correct these marked areas. It is your right to ask who will do the final work. There are builders who assign a dedicated team to complete the final items.
Keep a record of these marked items so that you can have another walkthrough once the project is really done.
Tags: design team, general contractor, house construction, interior design team, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, The Interior Designer | Comments Off on Understanding the Design Process – A Walkthrough of the Design Team’s Job
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
