Why pay for design?

Why pay for design?

 That's a good question. While it easy to pick the brains of interior/ kitchen/bathroom designers, architects and plumbers and builders via websites and blogs is there any point paying someone to help. And when local multiples are happy to churn out cad designs for free, how do independent designers make money?

Good creative people are hard to find. Really. A salesperson easy.

Most carpet shops will measure and estimate for free, but very little chance they will hand over the carpet cutting plan.

I remember one designer who handed over her moodboard with samples without charge, thinking they would come back to her.   The client went and bought everything themselves, not returning to her for anything. They then complained when they said the carpet she recommended was not suitable!

There you go, if it doesen't work as planned who is the client to blame? Of course with initial plans there are often changes to be made in the run up to finalising a project before installation. What looks great on paper at initial consultation would probably need some tweaking along the line.

Once a client has signed on the dotted line, that is a contract. How many times have people been assured that their own sizes will work, only to find themselves running back to one of the multiples for extra parts.

Certainly it is easier to chat over ideas for half an hour instore for a client to gauge whether they feel they can invest their money in your service rather than the designer wasting valuable hours just to compete with 5 others from whom the client is picking brains.

A good designer will know if there is an issue with water pressure, if your mains circuit won't support all the additional electrics required, if the size of curtains ordered needs to be altered to fit the larger pole you decided upon. A good designer will know if you need to move electrics, include additional work for the tiles ordered, They will also be able to advise about additional products or ideas, things that might never have crossed the mind of a client. They may know how to utilise that dead space in the corner of a room.

A bathroom company I know often have potential clients in to chat. Then invariably a call from them asking advice on something they have found online. When asked why they should reply if they are not buying anything from him, the answer was "Because we trust you".

Would you expect a solicitor to offer their expertise for free after initial consultation?

No, so why should anyone expect a designer to offer their services for free.