Questions to ask an interior designer before you hire
A portfolio shows you a designer’s taste. These questions show you how they work, what they really cost, and whether they are right for your home, which is what actually determines whether you are happy at the end.
Before hiring an interior designer, ask across three areas. On their work: can they show projects similar to yours and your type of home, and who actually does the design. On money: how they charge (a day rate, a fee per room, or a percentage of the project), exactly what the fee includes and what is extra, whether they take commission from suppliers and if it is passed back to you, and roughly what to budget for furniture and finishes on top of the fee. On process: the stages and what you sign off at each, how many revisions are included, whether they manage the trades and schedule or you do, the realistic timeline, and how you will communicate. The answers reveal fit and transparency far better than a portfolio alone, and clear written answers on fees and commission are the best protection against feeling stung later.
About their work and fit
- Can I see projects similar to mine, in homes like mine? A designer who mostly does new-build flats may not be right for a Victorian terrace.
- What would you change about a room like ours? A good answer shows they have understood your space, not just their portfolio.
- Who actually does the design work, you or a junior? Fine either way, but you want to know.
About fees and money
- How do you charge: a day rate, a fee per room, or a percentage of the project? Each suits different jobs.
- What does the fee include, and what is extra? Drawings, sourcing, site visits, project management and revisions are common add-ons.
- Do you take commission from suppliers, and if so, is it passed back to me? You want transparency, not hidden markups.
- Roughly what should I budget for furniture and finishes on top of your fee? Design fees are usually only part of the total.
About the process and the result
- What are the stages, and what do I sign off at each one? You want to know where you can change your mind and where you cannot.
- How many revisions are included before changes cost extra?
- Do you manage the trades and the schedule, or do I? This is the single biggest difference in how much work lands on you.
- What is a realistic timeline, and what tends to cause delays?
- How do we communicate, and how often? Mismatched expectations here cause most of the friction.
The signals to watch for
A designer worth hiring shows relevant work, asks you questions rather than only talking, is open about fees and supplier commission, and sets out a clear process with sign-offs. Be wary of vagueness about cost, reluctance to show comparable projects, no clear stages, or pressure to commit quickly.
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Find a vetted interior designerHiring an interior designer: common questions
What should I ask an interior designer before hiring them?
Cover three areas: their work (can they show projects like yours, and who actually does the design), money (how they charge, what the fee includes, whether they take supplier commission, and the furniture budget on top), and process (the stages and sign-offs, how many revisions are included, whether they manage the trades, the timeline, and how you will communicate). The answers tell you as much as the portfolio.
What fee questions matter most?
Ask how they charge (day rate, per room, or a percentage of the project), exactly what the fee includes and what is extra, whether they take commission from suppliers and if it is passed back to you, and roughly what to budget for furniture and finishes on top. Hidden supplier markups and unclear inclusions are where people most often feel stung, so get these in writing.
How can I tell a good interior designer from a risky one?
Good designers show relevant work, ask you questions rather than just talk, are transparent about fees and commission, set out clear stages and sign-offs, and are honest about budget and timelines. Warning signs are vagueness about cost, reluctance to show comparable projects, no clear process, and pressure to commit quickly.
Should I get more than one designer to quote?
Comparing two or three is sensible for a larger project, as long as you give each the same brief so the quotes are genuinely comparable. For a single consultation or a small room it may not be worth the effort. Either way, judge on fit and clarity, not just the headline fee.
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