As you start dreaming about an updated bathroom, a chef’s kitchen or maybe even a total home remodel, along with images of what could be is likely the big question: what will it cost? Regardless of whether you have endless resources or you need to set some price constraints, beginning with a budget is a must.
That being said, establishing a budget—a critical element to starting an interior design project—can be confusing. Each project is unique, based on a specific scope of work, and the exact costs of craftsmanship, labor, shipping, etc. are not always known upfront.
Despite that, talking about the costs for products, design services and contractors is key to ensuring clients have price awareness. And during those early conversations, an interior designer will get a very good idea of whether a client is seeking to make a modest investment or throw open their checkbook.
In most cases, clients are more focused with what they want than what the cost to achieve it would be; they often have not even thought about a budget. And if they have, oftentimes their numbers may not be realistic based on what things actually cost.
The good news is there are plenty of interior design options to fit any budget. And during conversations about costs, clients can determine how much they are willing or able to pay for the project. You may want a Tesla, but you have a Kia budget—and that’s okay, because you’ll still be able to get from point A to point B.
A good interior designer will be able to work within your budget and help you make choices that give you the desired end result without breaking the bank.
Diane’s take: Communication at the beginning of the project to make clients aware of costs is important, so there are no surprises. Having a budget in place allows the designer to determine the appropriate design fees, properly make design and product recommendations, and keep the project on track.
