When you work as an interior designer, a key part of your job includes working closely with clients.
To prepare yourself for a meeting or a phone call with a new client, it’s wise to have an idea of what kinds of questions clients ask interior designers.
So today, we’d like to share a list of questions clients ask interior designers on a regular basis so you can prepare answers and not get caught off-guard.
Here are the top questions clients ask interior designers:
1. What interior design services do you offer?
Of course, one of the most basic questions clients ask interior designers refers to your general service offering.
Some designers only offer interior design services, while others also offer home staging services. Some designers just design a space on paper or screen, while others source the furniture and complete the full project.
2. What does your interior design process consist of?
Once a client has a pretty good idea of what kind of work you do as an interior designer, they might ask about your process.
In response, help them understand a few key details about how you will work together including:
- How much input will the client have?
- How long will the project take?
- When will the payment be due?
- What kind of packages do you offer?
- How much will it cost?
3. Have you worked on projects similar to mine?
Naturally, a client will want to know if you’ve previously worked on a project similar to the one they’ve hired you for.
Answering this question well will help them feel confident about hiring you. If you haven’t worked on a project like theirs before, be honest by saying something like “I haven’t worked on a project exactly like this, but here are some projects I have completed successfully.”
At that point, show off some of your best work.
4. How long have you been working as an interior designer?
Before hiring you, a client might be interested to know how long you’ve been working as an interior designer.
If you’ve been at it for a long time, share that number with pride. If you’re new to the business, steer the conversation to focus on the work you’ve done successfully—as opposed to how long you’ve been doing it.
5. How would you describe your design style?
A savvy client will ask what your design style is. While many interior designers can adapt their style based on the client, most still function within a certain style spectrum.
The best way to answer this question is to show off work you’ve done (either on your own or at previous jobs) so the client can get a feel for your style visually.
6. Can you work within my budget?
Some clients will be very concerned with whether you can produce quality work within their budget. The best way to handle this is to give ballpark estimates or gather all their information and get back to them with a more concrete bid.
7. What happens if I don’t like the design?
From time to time, clients won’t like the design you first present them with. And many new clients are worried about how to proceed if they don’t like your design.
Ease their concern by helping them understand that you will ask lots of questions prior to working on their project and won’t move forward (spending their money) until you’ve both agreed on a design.
Be wary, however, of clients who are overly concerned in this area. They may be more of a headache than they’re worth.
What’s next?
These are just a few of the top questions clients ask interior designers. Over time, you may notice more common ones in your area or niche.
Overall, questions are a good thing. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t shy away from a Zoom call or phone call to answer questions from a client.
Once you start to get an idea of the most popular questions clients ask interior designers, consider automating your responses by posting a FAQ (frequently asked questions) on your website or addressing common questions during your initial pitch.