Q. How do I know which designer will be suitable for my project?
A. Our matching service is designed to guide you. We take the details of your project and match them against all of the designers. As a result you will see a % match on each designer’s profile.

Q. How do I know if a designer is any good?
A. To help with this, we have a review system in place. You will see feedback from other users of Design for Me on the designer’s profiles. We also recommend that you ask them for references from their previous clients.

Q. What can I expect from a consultation?
A. We recommend that you meet the designer in person at the address of the project. They can give you their initial thoughts and advice. This should give you a better understanding of what you want but also what may be involved (such as a planning application).

Q. Once I’ve had the consultations what should I do next?
A. If you think one or more of the designers might be suitable, you should ask them to provide a fee quotation. This should contain details of the work they think will be involved, their fee (this might be a lump sum or an hourly rate) and how long they think it will take.

Q. Is there a standard contract I can use with my designer?
A. When you have selected your designer, it is important to define the terms of the appointment with a signed agreement. Your designer might have a standard letter that they use, or you can use a ‘Standard Form of Appointment’. The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) publish and sell a good selection of Standard Forms of Appointment for Architects, Interior Designers (BIID) and Landscape Designers (Landscape Institute).

Q. Will designers hold insurance?
A. You should ensure that your designer holds adequate and appropriate insurance cover. Professional Indemnity Insurance covers the designer for failing to produce work to a professional standard. Registered architects are required by their regulatory body (ARB) to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance, however it is highly recommended that all designers are covered.

Q. What if none of the designers I’ve held consultations with are suitable?
A. We are confident that this process of matching and shortlisting will result in finding the best designer for you. If you are still searching for the right one, get in touch with us through our Contact Us page, and we’ll do all we can to help.

If you have a question that doesn’t appear on our FAQ page, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Click here to see our top three reasons to use a designer

Top three reasons to use a designer

1. A designer can produce a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications. These are important to communicate the design to the builder and this will ensure that the builders’ quotations are competitive and easy to compare. The drawings then form part of the building contract, resulting in less chance of surprise costs (and disputes with the builder) later on.

2. If you would like, your designer can help manage the construction phase of the project. They will ensure you have a good contract with the builder, and will oversee the work to make sure it is carried out in line with the design and specification.

3. The right designer will find the best solution for your brief – whether this is to create more space, stamp your own style on your home or add value. A home renovation project can be a big investment and a good designer will help you spend your money in the best way possible.