Who to Hire First? An Interior Designer, Builder, or Architect?
One of the most common questions I hear from potential clients and those beginning to think about a renovation project is, “Who do I hire first: a designer, a builder, or an architect?” In my 23+ years of working as an interior designer, I’ve seen many projects through from start to finish, and although size and scope play a factor and every project is different, in general, when building or tackling a large renovation, I recommend hiring an architect first, then an interior designer, then a builder.
Why I Recommend Hiring An Architect First
I always recommend hiring an architect first if you are building a new home or doing a major remodel. Whether it’s a custom home or a seamless addition to your existing house, you’ll need a plan before the builder can determine pricing and so that you can obtain permitting. During the planning process, your architect will help you align on a vision and bring to life what is possible through blueprints and drawings. They’ll also help you decide on some interior finishes, such as choosing between hand scraped walnut with a custom stain or a 3" wide red oak with a natural finish. This is a great time to bring in your interior designer.
Why I Recommend Hiring an Interior Designer After an Architect
Your interior designer will collaborate with your architect in bringing the built finishes and furnishings together for a cohesive look. When I work through plans with my clients, I’ll create a furniture layout and show them how traffic can move through the space, pointing out situations that might need to be adjusted (before they are built!) to avoid awkward layouts. I work together with my clients’ architects to decide on tile design, wall finishes, and plumbing requirements throughout the space. It’s truly a joy how creative and collaborative the design and renovation experience is, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the job.
Another great reason to work with an interior designer is that your designer will help you decide on a beautiful yet functional lighting plan, where switches and outlets can be placed not just to code, but ultimately where you’ll need access to them that actually makes sense for how you live. This allows the builder to provide more accurate information to the electrician when starting the project.
Once Your Architect and Interior Designer are Hired, Then, Bring in a Builder
Now that your plans are set in place and any design snags have been ironed out, it’s time to start the builder search. I have great relationships with local builders and I’m always happy to recommend a wonderful team to my clients. Most architects are also able to help guide you in the right direction to choosing a reputable builder who does quality work.
Once you have your preliminary drawings done by the architect and signed off on by the designer, you can take them to bid. This means builders will need your plans to prepare a project budget, allowances, and build timeline. As an interior designer, I also collaborate with the builder to troubleshoot any problems and make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible for my clients. I also help my clients to make sure the allowances provided by the builder are suitable for their level of home. Oftentimes I see lighting and hardware allowances that are unrealistically low — and these are critical elements in a home that can instantly elevate (or lower) the look of your home.
In Reality…
In the real world, projects move quickly and choosing your team is often done around the same time. This might seem overwhelming, but don’t stress. The worst case scenario is if after most building selections are finalized, and you can't find a tile you like and the builder is breathing down your neck for paint colors, you can bring on an interior design team last-minute. Keep in mind, if you choose the last minute route, you’ll be stuck choosing from what’s in stock and generic suggestions to work with what has already been selected.
On the other hand, when working with an interior designer early on, your furnishings can be selected with fabrics, finishes, rug samples, and so on, and you can have a paint schedule customized for each room.The same goes for tile selections and design, plumbing fixtures and cabinetry hardware, lighting fixtures and window treatments, etc. This is why I always recommend my full service interior design service for clients taking on a project. Taking the time for interior design early on allows you to adequately budget for your project (we’ll know where you’re going to splurge on material finishes and will maybe need to save on furnishings and vice versa) and think through each decision from idea to everyday living, leaving no detail unturned!
At Molly McGinness Interior Design, I work with great teams of builders and architects across Cape Cod to reduce the overwhelm and simplify the decision making process when building or renovating. If you need help with an upcoming project, please fill out a Project Inquiry Form.