So often I get on the phone with potential clients for their free interior design consult and they’re not sure what they’re in for. So today I thought I’d break it down for you.
If you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first important step in potentially working with a designer/stylist/decorator to make your home look amazing. I love it, and I’m here for it. Sometimes it takes a while to get to this stage, so I’m pleased we’re here and ready to roll on.
After you’ve filled out the questionnaire on this page of the website, you’ll get back a link to my calendar. This is where you can book in a time to chat to me over the phone for the free interior design consult. The call goes for about 20 minutes and is completely free. What happens in the call, you’re probably wondering. Well, let me break it down for you.
A lot of Designers call this a ‘Discovery Call’
Discovery call… free design consult… chin wag about your home. Call it what you will, but the main aim here is to find out more about you and your space, and to have you find out more about how I work with clients.
It’s also a great opportunity to see if we are a good fit to work together. Because truth be told, it is a partnership. If you hire me, we are going to be in each others lives for a few months, at least. And the reality is, you might not gel with me or like how I run the biz. The call is kinda like a blind date, come to think of it, but without anyone having to get dressed up or pay the bill 😉
Also, what you’re looking for help with might be something I’m not qualified to take on, so that’s why we chat first over the phone. It really is a discovery session to delve further into what you need help with, and if I’m the man for the job.
During the Call We’ll Discuss the Following
So once we get on the call, the process we go through is the same for you as it is for other potential clients. This is how it’ll go down:
“What do you need help with?”
It might also start with me asking, “tell me about your home. What are you loving, what are you loathing, what do you need a designer to help with?”. This is your opportunity to unleash. You might have one room that’s troubling you. It might be an entire home you’ve just moved into. Or it might be your existing home that you want to refresh.
“Let’s go Room by Room”
The reason I’ll go through the rooms you want help with is because I’m taking notes on products needed. This is so I can calculate a rough budget of what you’ll spend on product. It’s called ‘scope’, and it’s really important I get a feel for how large or small the job might be.
This is also because I can only take on so many jobs at a time, and so a huge job might have to wait a few weeks while I wrap up an existing larger project. I want to be able to give you my full attention after all.
“So this is how I work with Clients”
I’ll then run you through the process I go through from consult, to quote, to concept, to specifying, to ordering and to delivery and install. I follow the same proven system with every client, so I’ll give you a snapshot of that, so you have a full understanding. I’ll also run you through how I charge clients, which you can find out more about in this post here.
“Here’s what you Might Spend”
I always like to tell clients a ballpark figure they might spend on products based on the size of the home. This is of course just an estimate, but it’s important. I’ve told potential clients what I think they’ll spend before and they’ve almost fell off their chair. Other clients consider it super-affordable.
But you know what? I’ve completed a number of projects and I have the experience to give you full transparency on what budget you’ll need. Some people find it a hard pill to swallow. But better we discuss it on the phone before we all get our hopes up.
That’s the Free Interior Design Consult Done!
At the end of the free interior design consult, I’ll ask if you have any additional questions. Then, once we’re done, I’ll send you my calendar again so if you wish to book a paid in-home consult you can do so. Once the call ends there’s no obligation to go further. But by the end of our chat you’ll have a good feel for how I work, and I’ll get a good feel for what you need help with.
And that’s what goes down during the free 20-minute consult.
3 Responses
Hi
I am a designer myself and I loved the way you have expressed and put out things that people need to know.
You are right, it seems odd to talk money but the earlier we can get that through the better.
Some clients feel if they give their budget we might overspend but the fact is, if we know their budget we can actually work around it to give them the best possible solution.
Thank you
Lathika
hello,
free interior designer give thier full efforts for thier works and we should give them a new chance .
thanks for highlighting the role of them and for giving good knowledge.
keep posting.
Thanks for the comment