The Differences between your Interior Designer and your Contractor
Are you considering building a new home or planning a major renovation? Have you noticed that some Contractors/Builders provide Interior Design services? Consider this… how Builders and Contractors claim to run their projects, and what interior design service they provide. Then ask yourself, Interior Designer or General Contractor, what’s the diff?
There are many professionals and trades involved in building a new home or planning a major renovation. From Architects, to Interior Designers, General Contractors, and a long list of Sub Trades and Suppliers. Everybody has an important role to play. You’ll see that some firms cover a composite of all of the above, while others specialize.
‘Design Build’ firms may offer both Design and Construction Services and even General Contractors can help with your design. But are they truly capable of carrying out your design dreams?
Let’s look at this:
- The typical differences between a Contractor and an Interior Designer
- How to know Who is the right professional for your project
Three Main Difference between your Interior Designer and Contractor:
Goals, Roles and Tools
The Different Goals
Designers will take the time to source products that are in tune with your aesthetic and work as part of the overall design. They know about new products, green products and the latest in innovation. This means design forward, new, bespoke and different. Designer’s goals will focus on your lifestyle, and the overall aesthetic. The end result is a space that says more about you, and how you feel in the space, because they understand their client’s needs.
Belinda Blackmore
The Goal of your Contractor or Builder is to build what has been designed by others. They know the scope of the project, they have a budget and timeframe. They carry out their tasks within the allowable budget and timeframe to complete this goal. A Contractor’s goal is to get the job done as expeditiously as possible so they can get onto the next project.
If you want to find a Contractor to choose the materials and finishes for you, make sure you visit their past projects to ensure alignment with your goals. This extra step may provide peace of mind and indicate whether they know what they’re doing. Some Contractors may just pick products that they can source quickly, conveniently, or leftover from a previous project.
Contractors are not necessarily invested in the people component of a build. They are about the physical component, if you will. However, many Contractors will happily work with or refer Interior Designers on projects to provide Design Consultation Services. This works both ways, when relationships are pre-existing and as part of the total services that they offer.
The Different Roles
The role of an Interior Designer is to hone in on your lifestyle. They will ask pointed questions about how you want to use your space, your pain points, how you want the space to feel, the flow, the light, how much storage you want/need, and questions related to designing a space that is unique to you and your family’s needs. These interior design questions are imperative to create a home that elevates and supports your lifestyle.
Traditional Home
The role of a Contractor is about the construction or build of your home. They are not usually involved in choosing the materials that go in it. For example, lighting, flooring, countertops, or windows etc. Often, you will have to have these elements selected, and often your Contractor won’t quote on a project until you’ve picked these out. If they do quote, it may only be a budget amount subject to change once the final products have been specified. They will typically execute what is easiest to keep to the schedule.
Some ‘Design Build’ firms provide interior design services in-house. Will it be interior design level quality and what you expected? Is your Contractor telling you to choose from a generic selection that they’ve got stored in a warehouse? Choose wisely here… you may be getting outdated products, and potentially a limited selection that may have been used in a multitude of spaces, with no spares in case of future damage. Definitely not one-of-a-kind!
The Different Tools
Interior Design tools of the trade, refers to how we create, design and plan for your project. Typically we use drawings and 3D renderings and create Colour and Materials Boards that help you visualize what can be used in your space. Often this is accompanied by physical samples and iterations of your preferences.
Interior Designers often work with Architects or specialists in 3D rendering for the drawings. When it comes to actual construction documents, and documents required for submitting to the city for approval, they must have a registered Engineer sign off on them.
Builders use software tools designed for Project Management, budgeting, scheduling, contracts, purchase orders etc. Builders are not likely to provide detailed renderings, and their tools are typically associated with jobs they’ve worked on in the past.
* If your goals are to hire builders that are Eco-friendly, build green, sustainable etc. You MUST do your homework, and check out their previous work, aka due diligence people!
PRO TIP:
I’ve worked on projects with and without Interior Design Consultation Services. Your new build or home renovation is an investment in your quality of life, and often the biggest investment in your life. Look at the best options based on your goals/dreams/wishes/feelings then align them to your project/scope/budget/timeline. Do they align with your values? Look at all of it. Then decide.
Final Cut…
Home Designers and Contractors have necessary roles and you need them both for a successful outcome. When choosing, look at previous work- both #irl and via their portfolio pages, seek referrals. And it wouldn’t hurt to speak to people who’ve worked with both. This way, you can find out the pros and cons from their experience. You learn a lot when you interview…
Has this helped? I hope so! Getting clear on the process, and finding the right person for the job is important! So, here is my plug: if you need an experienced Interior Designer, and you think we’re a good fit, then please give me a call here.
I look forward to helping you build the design narrative of your dreams!
