Why hire a pro?

Should you hire a designer? Can you afford it? 
The pros say you can’t afford not to—designers hold the keys to 
the design kingdom. (Translation: They know where all the good 
stuff is). Still thinking you should go at it alone? Here are some 
pointers to help you decide.

1. Are you hopelessly overwhelmed about how to start?
Designers are schooled to look at the big picture and help you 
avoid costly mistakes. Even people who have great ideas and want 
to do it themselves often lack focus and need the guidance and 
direction a professional can offer. They can also help you deal with 
the domino effect of design. If you're working on one room and you 
change one thing, it affects six other things. Nobody's ever quite finished.

2. Will you need help creating a floor plan that clearly 
specifies the layout of your home or business?
The most important step in designing a home or business is that 
you start with a well-developed floor plan. If you use the services of 
a designer for nothing else, get a good floor plan to help you 
analyze your requirements.

3. Do you have too many armchair designers second-
guessing your taste?
Many people get sidetracked by friends and relatives who want to 
"help" refine your taste. Don't listen to them. Trust yourself and 
collect samples of what you like. A good designer will give you 
what you want, not impose their latest vision. "I make dreams 
come true”, that's my job description.

4. Have you ever spent a chunk of change only to end up 
with the wrong look?
People often waste their money on pieces that don’t fit. A designer 
is trained to know what goes with what and what size is needed. A 
professional is also trained to ask the right questions to help you 
figure out what you want.

5. Do you think scale is something found only on fish?
OK, so it's a dumb joke, but most people don't understand how 
important it is to get the proportion right between furniture and the 
room. People make enormous errors when it comes to 
understanding the scale of furniture for a space. Consider paying 
for a consultation with a design pro to help you get it right.

6. Does your home or business lack a unified look?
Designers are essential because we help you create a master 
plan, which everybody really needs. In just two hours, I can do a 
complete walk-through and create a plan that home and business 
owners can then implement on their own.

7. Do you know how to find what you want?
You need to put a value on your time. Look at design as an 
investment. Professionals also have access to the latest and 
greatest in home and business design, often through a design 
center open only to the trade or contacts they've developed 
through the years. Another plus: If you don't have the name 
of a good builder, painter, tile-layer, mason, landscaper 
or upholster, they will.