The Right Design Consultant
How do you know when you have the right design consultant for your job? There are several things you should consider to help you make the right choice:
- What level of experience does your consultant bring to the table?
- Does he have references?
- Does she communicate well?
- Does he ask the right questions during the initial home visit?
The Right Colors and Textures
The right design consultant should work with you to ensure that every piece of the final product is what you really wanted.
- What is the right color?
- Should you consider a theme?
- Should you use laminate, granite, or a solid surface like Corian™?
- Should you use stainless appliances?
- Should you paint the walls or use wallpaper?
An experienced design consultant will be able to guide you through all of these questions. Asking the right questions will ensure that you make the right choice.
The Right Questions
How do you know what questions the design consultant should be asking? Here are some key questions he or she should ask:
- What is your budget?
- How many people typically prepare meals at the same time?
- Are you left handed or right?
- Do you entertain on a frequent basis?
- Do you need an area to pay bills or possibly sit and plan the week’s menu?
These are just a few of the typical questions that should be asked during an initial home consultation.
The Realistic Budget
Frequently, homeowners will not have a firm budget in mind, or they are reluctant to share their budget. Having a budget is critical for any remodeling project. A budget tells the design consultant if you are being realistic or need to rethink your remodeling project. If it is a realistic budget, your consultant has a good idea of what can or cannot be completed for your particular project.