Design Like a Pro - 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Tackling an Interior Design Project

Considering tackling your own interior design project?

If so, you're not alone. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all of just how important interior spaces are — and watching endless hours of HGTV during the lockdown might have given you the nudge you needed to go ahead with your own interior design plans.

Before you decide to moonlight as an interior designer, take a look at these must-ask questions:

What's Hiding Behind Your Walls?

If your walls could talk, you might be surprised by what they'd have to say.

Asbestos and unknown services are just some of the 'surprises' that could be hiding behind your drywall. Opening up your walls might expose a lot more than you bargained for, and sideline your design plans.

Keep in mind that you might also discover some 'creative' structural elements, especially if you're dealing with an older building. Structures constructed before modern building codes were enacted often need serious upgrading to meet today's standards, and that can mean huge costs if you wind up requiring seismic or other upgrades.

How Much Can You Afford to Spend -
Or Not?

DIY means 'do it yourself' — not 'less expensive' (sorry).

Acting as your own interior design contractor can be a lot of fun, but make no mistake, it can also be a costly habit.

As an individual, you can actually expect to pay significantly more for everything from your building supplies to your finishes and materials than what a professional design firm pays — that's because you don't qualify for trade discounts, volume deals or loyalty pricing like the pros do. Like it or not, you'll be paying full retail price for everything.

Carefully cost out your project in advance. Be sure to include all the indirect expenses, such as the lost productivity while your space is under renovation, and whether you'll need to lease another short-term space and/or storage. Also consider what your time is worth. Unless you're literally sitting around with nothing to do, the time it takes you to work on your design project is time you're not spending on your regular, paying gig.

Be sure to include cost overruns in your budget. Ask anyone who's tackled a DIY project, and chances are good you won't hear about how the job ended up being under budget. Plan to spend anywhere from 30% to 50% more than what you expect to before moving forward with any work.

What Does Your Insurance Policy Cover?

Insurance companies are sticklers for details, and that includes details like who can perform work on your premises.

Before you start any interior design work, be sure to check out the fine print on your policy, or better yet, book a meeting with your broker. You might be surprised to learn that many insurance policies include clear language regarding who can do any type of work on your property above and beyond what's considered to be your usual business activities.

Failing to comply with the conditions of your insurance coverage not only renders your policy null and void, but it can also leave you and your company wide open to hefty liability claims. Something as simple as changing a light fixture could be enough to invalidate your insurance coverage, so this is one step you definitely don't want to skip.

Have a Team of Trusted, Fully Vetted Tradespeople Ready to Help Out?

Qualified tradespeople are in high demand these days, and that's especially true when it comes to tradespeople who you can count on to deliver exceptional, on-time results.

The reality is that finding electricians, tile setters, painters and drywallers who are willing and able to do small, one-off projects for individuals is really tough these days. Most tradespeople are booked up weeks or months in advance, and they're often focused on big-budget projects for commercial clients, developers and homeowners with deep wallets.

If your design plans involve finding licensed contractors and tradespeople to help out, take the time to do your research now before you're left staring at a half-finished wall, dangling light fixtures or some structural problem that's held up while you wait for help.

You'll also need to ensure you have a legally-binding, enforceable contract in place between yourself, your landlord (if you aren't the building owner) and every contractor you hire. This contract must detail the work that is to be done, the timelines, payment schedule and any warranty being offered by the contractor. Not only does this give you assurances that you'll get the products and services you expect, but it also gives the contractors some guarantee that they'll be compensated.

Do You Have What it Takes?

Contrary to what's portrayed on those popular DIY design shows, planning and executing an interior design project isn't all about picking the perfect color scheme or shopping for throw pillows — it's a lot of work.

You'll need to ensure all the work you do fully complies with local and provincial building codes, including rules around accessibility, fire safety and sustainability. There's tight specifications for everything from the depth of your stair treads to the height of your light switches that you need to be aware of, otherwise, you could wind up having to have the work re-done.

You'll also need to have all the required building permits in place, and that often means submitting architectural drawings that detail exactly what work you want to do. Be aware that many projects must be completed in stages so that building inspectors can check all of the work, such as the electrical, plumbing and mechanical before the drywall is installed. And as tempting as it might be to skip the permit process altogether, doing so leaves you wide open to complaints from your neighbors, lawsuits and pricey stop-work orders.

Sound Overwhelming? Let's Chat

Executing an interior design project involves a lot of time, money, knowledge and resources. Here at 34F Design Inc. our team of results-driven residential and commercial design experts work with discerning clients throughout Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and all of Canada.

If you're weighing the pros and cons between hiring a design firm or doing the work yourself, give us a call. We'll review your project, discuss your goals and give you the information you need to make an informed choice about your interior design plans.