If you are looking for an interior designer for your home, you might be concerned about falling prey to scams. Just a simple Google search reveals plenty of horror stories about homeowners falling victim to unscrupulous and fly-by-night companies.
To avoid falling victim to one of these unfortunate cases, here are 3 essential steps to help you find an interior designer you can trust.
1) Verify proper licensing
Due to the low barrier to entry in the renovation industry, almost anyone can set up an interior design firm. Although this might be daunting, you can reduce your risks by ensuring that the company you hire is properly accredited.
Look for reputable accreditations from trusted organisations like CaseTrust, which signal a commitment to professionalism and integrity. Currently, only around 120 companies hold CaseTrust accreditation.
If you are looking to renovate your HDB, you would also want to check if the company is listed under the Housing and Development Board (HDB) directory of approved contractors, which would require them to adhere to certain standards and requirements, such as training.
2) Scrutinise the payment terms
The saying “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” applies here. Renovation projects are complex tasks, involving significant labour and material costs. If the quoted price is far below the market rate, proceed with caution and ask questions.
Also, regarding payment terms, do ensure that they payment structure is transparent and fair to both parties. If you are paying too much upfront, you might run into the risk of delayed and incomplete projects. There have also been cases where homeowners were left with uncooperative workers and slipshod work after transferring the full amount of money.
At M2 Decor, we believe in employing a fair and transparent payment structure that minimises risk for both parties. As a CaseTrust Accredited firm, our payment structure is broken down into 4 phases.
Phase 1: 10% (Confirmation and Design)
Phase 2: 40% (Foundation stage)
Phase 3: 40% (Fitting stage)
Phase 4: 10% (Handover and Finishing)
*Not accounting for variations from the agreed-upon scope of work.
3) Check reviews and portfolios
One of the best ways to gauge the credibility of an interior design company is to hear what past clients have to say. Checking reviews is simple – all you need to do is to look on forums, social media platforms, and websites such as Hometrust.
One key tip is to review their portfolio and see if they have completed projects in the design style you are looking for. If you are aiming for a minimalist aesthetic, for example, ensure that the company has a track record of delivering similar projects successfully. A portfolio aligned with your design goals is a positive indicator of their capacity to execute your vision.
If you are looking for a trusted interior design team to bring your dream home to life, look no further!
Comments