If your designer and contractor are not working closely together it can create serious issues, delays and cost overruns. 

Designer Vs Contractor: Where to Start ?

If you are planning a remodel and wondering if you should start with a designer or contractor here is the truth… You need to work with both simultaneously, and they need to know how to work together.

Designers know very little about project costs and building code. Contractors know very little about design or decorating.

You need a team. And not just a designer and contractor. The subcontractors and vendors also need to be part of the process for a smooth remodel. 

Remodels require details plans for cabinets, plumbing, electric and HVAC

If You Are Working With Separate Contractors and Designers Here Are Some of the things you should request: 

The designer should:

1. Have a good working relationship with the contractor and plan to meet with them 3-4 times during the design process, at least twice in your home.

2. Have working relationships with local and national vendors and have access to trade discounts and product knowledge training. 

3. Research materials carefully and provide specs and install instructions to the contractor. Get contractor approval of materials to be installed. 

4. Have a clear contract that decribes how they work, what they provide and how they are paid… (by you, by the contractor, by markup on materials… flat fee or hourly).

5. Have at least 5 years of professional experience in residential design (not a hobby). Ideally they are NKBA certified and even better if they have a degree in interior design.

6. They should have a professional website that clearly outlines how they work, lists their professional credentials and show details of recent projects.

7. They should design with a specific cabinet line that you choose and can be ordered locally. Not a generic layout or online cabinet brand.

8. They should visit your home to confirm measurements and discuss your needs and style.

9. Schedule 3 – 4 design meetings with you to finalize the design & all material selections. Plan for a meeting once a week to keep things moving forward.

10. Select all materials and fixtures during design.. not allowance or “we’ll figure that out later”

11. Provide plans and elevations with installer notes for cabinets, plumbing, HVAC, Demo, framing and special drawings for things like tile layout and cabinet pull location. Review them with the contractor at least twice. 

12. Provide 3D color renderings of the design, review physical samples of cabinet door style, colors and all fixtures and materials.

13. Provide an FF&E schedule of all materials and fixtures to be ordered that make it clear who is ordering the materials, who will store them and who is responsible for mistakes and material warranty.

14. They should plan to visit the jobsite 3 – 4 times during the project to confirm things are being built to plan, answer questions and make adjustments if needed.

The Contractor Should

1. Be state licensed and have proof of general liabilty, commercial auto and workers compensation insurance

2. Be clear on who is paying the designer, who is paying for materials, and whether they will provide a fixed price contract or ‘cost plus’ contract. 

3. Have a good website with up to date information on their process, their standards and details of recent projects.

4. Meet with the designer at least twice during the design process to review plans and provide feedback

5. Update plans for code compliance and general work standards. Hire an engineer to design and approve structural modifications. 

6. Create a detailed ‘scope of work’ for the project that lists all labor, and review it with the designer

7. Create a detailed project schedule and include dates for the designer to visit the jobsite. It should include expectations for on time start date, on site project supervision (daily, weekly etc…) and on time completion. 

8. Provide fixed pricing for all labor and ‘rough materials’ (2×4’s, drywall etc…). Provide fixed pricing for cabinets, fixtures and finishes if they are providing them. 

9. Understand the FF&E schedule provided by the designer and agree that all materials are suitable for the project and they know how to install them. 

10. Agree about who will order and store materials and who is responsible for any errors and material warranty. 

11. Create permit paperwork, have it signed and notoraized and submit it, along with final plans and elevations, to local planning authority

12. Provide a detailed project schedule and set expectations for project supervision (daily, weekly?) and jobsite cleanliness.

13. Have a final meeting with you and the designer to make sure everything is correct and everyone is on the same page with schedule, responsibilities and plan. 

14. Review the final contract and fixed price proposal with you.

The contract should outline everyone’s responsibilities clearly and address things like how change orders will be handled and how the warranty process is managed. Good final contracts are 10-15 pages long, not 2. 

You will be living with your remodel for years if not decades so it pays to get the details right

What About Suppliers and Vendors

Contractors and designers may create the project but the supplies and vendors provide critical product knowledge and support. Always work with designers who a have professional relationships with local showrooms and national vendors. 

Designer should attend regualr product knowledge training, especially on cabinets, countertops, flooring and tile. Contractors should get regular continuing education on building code, building standards and construction materials. 

Qualtiy vendors provide great technical support and an imporant part of the process. They also assist with returns and warranty issues and make that process much easier when there is an issue. 

Online vendors like Wayfair and big box stores do not provide the same level of expertise and support and it’s why we do not recommend them. 

Red Flags / Things to Avoid

1. Contractors who do not want to be involved in design

2. Contractors who ask you to provide all materials without any guidance

3. Starting construction with out details plans, project schedule and all materials selected

4. Designers who do not visit the project regulary during design

5. Designers who do not understand construction and say “that’s the contractors job” 

6. Designers who will not provide a detailed FF&E schedule to the contractor

7. Contractors or designer who rely on online vendors like wayfair or suggest getting fixtures from big box stores.