Hire Your Interior Designer When You Hire Your Architect

Short version: Call your interior designer at the same time you call your architect. When we start together, the project runs smoother and costs make sense.

Why start early

When the floor plan is still flexible, we can:

• Plan real furniture layouts so rooms work in daily life.

• Right-size spaces (that beautiful tub may need a bigger bath).

• Pick finishes early so your contractor prices real items, not guesses.

What improves

• Clear documents: from grout color to towel hooks, decisions are made up front.

• Better bids: contractors price from a solid spec set, so fewer change orders.

• On-time orders: fewer “out of stock” surprises and last-minute swaps.

• Real budgets and schedules: numbers match what you’re actually building.

If design comes in late

• Moving windows or walls after drawings are “done.”

• Rushed material changes when items aren’t available.

• “Just pick something similar” that weakens the design.

• More changes, more delays, more stress.

How to start

1. Book a joint kickoff with your architect and designer.

2. Share goals, budget, and timeline once, with everyone.

3. Set decision milestones (plans, elevations, selections, ordering).

4. Finish the spec book before construction starts.