I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: design is one of the most critical elements of a home remodeling project. Why? Because it sets the tone for the entire project — and I’m not just talking looks. Design influences how the completed project looks, yes, but it also plays a crucial role in where hidden elements like ducts and plumbing (aka the guts) will go and how much the project will cost.
A great design will be the north star that guides your project from start to finish, giving you an accurate representation of your vision and the details that will make it happen. But it’s important to note that not all designs are created equal.
To get the best possible design for your space and style, you need to work with a qualified designer
Why Hire a Designer for Your Home Remodel?
When you think of design, what’s the first thing that springs to mind? For many, it’s visual elements such as flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, and so on. What they don’t realize is that design is much more complex than that. In addition to finishes, interior designers consider functional aspects like:
- The room in relation to the rest of the home
- How the space will be used
- The flow of traffic in the room
- What type of lighting will work best in specific areas
- Sightlines into the rest of the home
Working with a designer can also eliminate some of the stress that comes from a home remodeling project. The designer often manages and purchases materials, appliances, and fixtures and ensures things arrive on time. It also reduces the chance of surprise expenses throughout the project, as the designer will price out your selections.
How Much Does It Cost to Work With a Designer?
This question is a little trickier to answer. That’s because design costs can vary depending on the designer you work with and the complexity of your project. In most cases, the home designer will charge according to two things: what the client needs and their fee structure, which can be a fixed rate per room, by square footage, per hour/day, or as a marked-up percentage of a builder’s fees.
One of the reasons homeowners hesitate to hire a designer is because of the cost. However, design accounts for a very small portion of the total project. At Excel Builders, it usually amounts to roughly 5% of the projected remodeling cost.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this blog post, it’s this:
Design is 100% worth the investment.
If you’re not ready (or willing) to make a financial investment in design, you’re not ready to start a remodeling project.
Can You Hire a Design-Build Company for Design Only?
Working with a design-build company isn’t an “all or none” type of situation. You can certainly hire a design-build company to design your remodel and hire a different contractor to execute it. In that same vein, a design-build company can implement a design from another source.
How Does the Design Process Work?
Just like the cost of working with a designer can vary, so can the process. Independent designers may have a different approach than a design-build company or a builder that partners with a design firm.
As a design-build company, Excel Builders has a skilled in-house designer on our team. This, and years of experience, has allowed us to develop a design process that works exceptionally well for our clients and our team.
Here’s what you can expect from our design process:
- Phone Consultation: We'll discuss your project ideas, budget, goals, and other details.
- In-Home Consultation: During the phone consultation, we'll determine if an in-home consultation is the next step.
- Finalization of the Design Retainer: We'll outline the scope of the project and determine the design cost.
- Design Presentation: We'll present a design concept based on the project scope.
Once you’ve reviewed and approved the design concept, the next step is up to you. You can either have Excel Builders execute the project or hire an outside company.
If you choose to work with our capable team, we’ll present you with a detailed remodeling proposal.
Our comprehensive design process allows us to better serve our clients, which is why we follow it to the letter. If you’d like to learn more about our process or discuss your own remodeling project, reach out to our team at (612) 306-4064 or info@excelbuilders.com. Excel Builders proudly serves the Twin Cities Metro and the surrounding area.