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What Happens When You Hire a Professional?
Find out what it’s like to work with an architect, garden designer, home stager and more...
Victoria Harrison
16 April 2022
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
Are you considering hiring a professional, or wondering where to start with a renovation project? If you want to find out more about what’s involved when working with a design professional, take a look at these introductory guides to get an idea. From working with an architect to hiring an interior designer, we’ll talk you through the process and help you get started with your home improvement plans. Click through to read each guide in full.
Architect
There are a few ways to begin a renovation project: you could start by finding a good construction team who will put you in touch with an architect, or you could invest in the services of a design and build firm that can provide both architectural and construction services. Alternatively, you could begin the process with an architect and find your building team later.
If you’re considering the latter, follow this expert guide to find out what happens when you start your project with an architect.
Read more What Happens When You Hire an Architect for Your Renovation?
There are a few ways to begin a renovation project: you could start by finding a good construction team who will put you in touch with an architect, or you could invest in the services of a design and build firm that can provide both architectural and construction services. Alternatively, you could begin the process with an architect and find your building team later.
If you’re considering the latter, follow this expert guide to find out what happens when you start your project with an architect.
Read more What Happens When You Hire an Architect for Your Renovation?
Interior designer
Redesigning a room, let alone a whole house, is a complex task. The finished space must work on a practical level, meet everyone’s needs, and also look wonderful, and pulling off this fine balance can be a real head-scratcher. That’s where an interior designer can come in.
With the ability to think in 3D and manage everything from the design concept through to choosing the soft furnishings, an interior designer can translate your ideas and aspirations into reality. First, though, you have to find the perfect one for you, with the right skills, personality and creative vision.
To help you choose well, we asked three design experts for tips on how to find an interior designer and what questions to ask before starting work together.
Read more How to Choose an Interior Designer
Redesigning a room, let alone a whole house, is a complex task. The finished space must work on a practical level, meet everyone’s needs, and also look wonderful, and pulling off this fine balance can be a real head-scratcher. That’s where an interior designer can come in.
With the ability to think in 3D and manage everything from the design concept through to choosing the soft furnishings, an interior designer can translate your ideas and aspirations into reality. First, though, you have to find the perfect one for you, with the right skills, personality and creative vision.
To help you choose well, we asked three design experts for tips on how to find an interior designer and what questions to ask before starting work together.
Read more How to Choose an Interior Designer
Garden designer
So you’ve decided to employ the expert help of a professional garden designer, but you’re unsure of what the process will entail? You might be anxious that it will be out of your budget, or that a designer will think your project is too small.
Here, three garden designers share what to expect when you work with a professional to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer
So you’ve decided to employ the expert help of a professional garden designer, but you’re unsure of what the process will entail? You might be anxious that it will be out of your budget, or that a designer will think your project is too small.
Here, three garden designers share what to expect when you work with a professional to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer
Loft conversion specialist
Extending into the loft provides extra living space without sacrificing a chunk of your garden. Use a loft conversion specialist for the job and you’ll be able to tap into a wealth of local planning, design and technical knowledge, too. Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of extending upwards.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Loft Conversion Specialist?
Extending into the loft provides extra living space without sacrificing a chunk of your garden. Use a loft conversion specialist for the job and you’ll be able to tap into a wealth of local planning, design and technical knowledge, too. Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of extending upwards.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Loft Conversion Specialist?
Structural engineer
As a homeowner, you may be clear that you want an architect, an interior designer, a builder – or perhaps a carpenter or plumber – to help turn your dream project into a reality. But what about a structural engineer?
To many homeowners, this profession may be a bit of a mystery. Who is responsible for hiring this specialist – you or your architect? How much will it add to the cost, and do you need to consult one if you’re just knocking down a non-supporting wall? All these questions and more are answered by our panel of experts.
Read more What Do Structural Engineers Do and When Would I Need One?
As a homeowner, you may be clear that you want an architect, an interior designer, a builder – or perhaps a carpenter or plumber – to help turn your dream project into a reality. But what about a structural engineer?
To many homeowners, this profession may be a bit of a mystery. Who is responsible for hiring this specialist – you or your architect? How much will it add to the cost, and do you need to consult one if you’re just knocking down a non-supporting wall? All these questions and more are answered by our panel of experts.
Read more What Do Structural Engineers Do and When Would I Need One?
Project manager
When we’re hiring professionals to help with a renovation project, our first port of call is usually a builder or architect – but have you thought of calling on the services of a project manager?
These planning professionals can make a huge difference to the running of your project, could save you a lot of stress, and will ensure you stay on (or under) budget. Here, three experts explain what’s involved.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Project Manager for Your Renovation?
When we’re hiring professionals to help with a renovation project, our first port of call is usually a builder or architect – but have you thought of calling on the services of a project manager?
These planning professionals can make a huge difference to the running of your project, could save you a lot of stress, and will ensure you stay on (or under) budget. Here, three experts explain what’s involved.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Project Manager for Your Renovation?
Carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker
For a home that functions well and looks beautifully finished, it’s often worth investing in some custom-made woodwork. But if you’re unsure about the process – and don’t know whether to hire a carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker – check out this expert guide to get you started.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Carpenter, Joiner or Cabinet-maker?
For a home that functions well and looks beautifully finished, it’s often worth investing in some custom-made woodwork. But if you’re unsure about the process – and don’t know whether to hire a carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker – check out this expert guide to get you started.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Carpenter, Joiner or Cabinet-maker?
Lighting designer
Good lighting design is an art. It brings out the best in an interior design scheme, illuminates architectural features, creates atmosphere and makes practical household tasks easier. In the hands of an expert, it can be truly transformative. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of hiring a lighting designer.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Lighting Designer?
Good lighting design is an art. It brings out the best in an interior design scheme, illuminates architectural features, creates atmosphere and makes practical household tasks easier. In the hands of an expert, it can be truly transformative. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of hiring a lighting designer.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Lighting Designer?
Professional organiser
So you’ve decided to employ the expert help of a professional organiser, but you’re unsure what the process entails. You might be anxious that they’ll judge you, or that they’ll get rid of all your belongings. Here, Nicola Munns from All Organised shares what to expect when you invite an experienced declutterer into your home.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Professional Organiser?
So you’ve decided to employ the expert help of a professional organiser, but you’re unsure what the process entails. You might be anxious that they’ll judge you, or that they’ll get rid of all your belongings. Here, Nicola Munns from All Organised shares what to expect when you invite an experienced declutterer into your home.
Read more What Happens When You Hire a Professional Organiser?
Home stager
Home stagers aim is to create a space in which potential buyers feel at home, and they can see at a glance what needs to change when they enter a property. In practice, this means removing some of the items that make it personal to you and adding pieces that give it a clean, neutral look.
There’s a definite art to doing this, so we asked a panel of professional home stagers for their tips on how you can give your home a fresh look (and one with broad appeal) on a budget.
Read more What is a Home Stager and Do You Need One?
Tell us…
Do you have any tips for working with a professional on a home renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Home stagers aim is to create a space in which potential buyers feel at home, and they can see at a glance what needs to change when they enter a property. In practice, this means removing some of the items that make it personal to you and adding pieces that give it a clean, neutral look.
There’s a definite art to doing this, so we asked a panel of professional home stagers for their tips on how you can give your home a fresh look (and one with broad appeal) on a budget.
Read more What is a Home Stager and Do You Need One?
Tell us…
Do you have any tips for working with a professional on a home renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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