The Difference Between an Interior Designer, Interior Decorator & Contractor

The Differences Between an Interior Designer, Decorator, Contractor, Architect and Structural Engineer

The Interior Design and Construction industries are complicated. I’ve grown up immersed in them and the one thing that is always consistent is that every company operates differently. It is confusing for me, so I can’t even imagine how confusing it must be for someone less familiar. Below I define some of the different roles in the residential design & build industries (the commercial industry is even more complicated), but please keep in mind that this is just my interpretation and that titles and certifications vary by state.

Interior Designer- Someone with a formal Interior Design education. There are several licenses and accreditations that residential Interior Designers can earn on top of their degrees (CID, NKBA, ASID, NCIDQ), but none are required to be called an Interior Designer. I consider an Interior Designer to be someone who has advanced knowledge of materials, fabrics, and cabinetry as well as training in space planning, residential building standards & codes, and can draw floor plans and elevations to convey design intent to the trades who are doing the work. An Interior Designer works closely with the client to establish the scope of work and design direction, and in most cases also works closely with the contractor and other trades to ensure the design intent is properly executed.

Interior Decorator- An Interior Decorator is someone without a formal design education. They have experience with color and furniture selections but aren’t as prepared to deal with the construction aspects of a design. Generally, Interior Decorators will assist with non-construction related design such as paint selections, retail furniture purchasing, and accessorizing.

General Contractor- A General Contractor (or GC) must carry a current license to be titled a General Contractor. They are licensed by the state to be able to build or remodel a home and have an in-depth knowledge of codes and building. Each General Contractor varies in the way that they work- some do their own plumbing and electrical, others bring in a plumbing contractor or electrical contractor. Usually, when you hire a General Contractor they will “subcontract” other specialized trades for certain tasks (i.e.: paint, stucco, tile). This means they are hiring out the work but will oversee it. When you hire a General Contractor, you should make sure you know how many people he employs and what work they will do themselves versus what they will be subcontracting out to another team. This is especially important for confirming everyone who steps foot in your home is insured.  

Architect- An Architect carries an advanced degree and has passed a licensing exam. They are trained to plan, design, and oversee the construction of buildings. Homeowners will often hire an architect when building a new home or undertaking a large remodel that involves complicated space reconfigurations, additions, or new structures.

Structural Engineer- A Structural Engineer is responsible for ensuring the structural stability of a building. In residential design, a structural engineer is generally brought in to do load calculations when removing a load-bearing wall or enlarging an opening.

TYPES OF FIRMS:

Interior Design- Generally, an Interior Designer (or Interior Design firm) will lead the design process including material selections, space planning (including design drawings), cabinet design, and furniture design. They often will order materials, furniture, and accessories, and will be a consultant during construction (but will not actually take responsibility for the work). Usually, this means the client will hire and pay the construction trades directly.

Design and Build- Design and Build firms offer both Interior Design and General Contractor services. This means that they either have both a General Contractor and Interior Designer on staff or have partnered with someone whom they bring in.

Pros of working with a Design & Build firm:

• Ease- you won’t need to find and hire multiple individuals or companies, you write a check to one person

• Communication and responsibility- since the design & build are the same company or closely affiliated, there should be great communication between the designer and trades

 Cons of working with a Design & Build firm:

• You will be more limited with who you are working with if you are not interviewing and hiring the designer and contractor individually

• There is less of a check and balance- if you have hired a single company, they will be less likely to be an advocate for the homeowner if there is an issue

• Cost- generally there is a premium charge for having design & build through a single company

QUESTIONS TO ASK A GENERAL CONTRACTOR- BEFORE YOU HIRE THEM:

1. Do you do all of the work specified in the scope of work (including tile installation, painting)?

2.  How many people are on your crew? Will you be using subcontractors?

3. Will your quote include everything in the scope of work, or will there be any costs you can’t estimate and will be charged according to time and materials?

4.  Can you give square footage estimates for all of the tile required so we can confirm that our selections work with our budget?

5. Are you licensed and insured? Will everyone working in the house be licensed and insured

6. Do you have references? Can I visit a project you’ve completed?

7. Are you out here daily or who will we be communicating with during the project?

8. What happens if something goes wrong after the work is complete?

9. Will you be purchasing and picking up the following?

   • plumbing

   • lighting

   • tile and grout

   • paint

10. How long do you estimate the project to take?

11. How far out are you booking?

12. What is your payment schedule?

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Alison

alison@designforlivingbyah.com