Interior Designer, Contractor, Architect? Who Should I Work With for My Renovation Project?

While watching shows about home renovation projects is really enjoyable, the construction process can often appear simpler than it really is. The before and after shots look shocking, but we don’t actually see all the specific phases the project goes through and all the problems and obstacles that each phase has.

If this is your first time tackling a remodel, you might wonder which person to hire to help you go through all of these phases or whether you need to hire anyone at all. Below, we’ll give you more information about the roles of different professionals in a home renovation project, so you can easily decide which one you need.

Professionals You May Need for Your Home Renovation Project

Let’s take a look at the professionals who can help you make informed decisions, ensure that everything goes according to plan, and make your vision a reality.

Interior Designer

When it comes to home remodeling, the first person we think of when we need a consultation is an interior designer. These professionals help you create a functional interior space that’s also aesthetically pleasing and in line with your expectations.

They first determine the space requirements for a specific room and then consult you on your specific needs and preferences. Your vision and personal style will be elevated by a unique perspective and a trained eye that will make the most of your space. They also focus on combining style, design, and the functionality of a space, but are also knowledgeable about lighting, budgeting, planning the whole process, finding skilled subcontractors that will work on individual phases in the project, and much more.

People also go to an interior designer when looking to create custom furniture pieces and maximize the use of space in the home.

Architect

Architects are professionals who have combined knowledge in both design and construction. Generally, they work on large-scale projects and design buildings that are both functional and stylish, but also put a focus on sustainability and safety during the design process. They can work on remodels, reconstruction of historical landmarks, redevelopments, as well as new construction projects.

Compared to interior designers, architects are licensed individuals who can design both interiors and houses, as well as skyscrapers, public buildings, schools, hospitals, museums, etc. These highly trained individuals often work with engineers from different fields, such as mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, environmental engineers, field engineers, and so on, to complete the design process of a building from start to finish.

Contractor

Contractors and subcontractors are crucial for carrying out a building plan that an architect or an interior designer has designed. These professionals manage different aspects of the renovation project, such as overseeing work, applying for the building permits you’ll need, overseeing subcontractors such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and others, overseeing clean-up and disposing of construction trash, and much more.

They are the key people to turn to if you’re doing a major home remodeling project who’ll help you go through the whole process with ease. Contractors are responsible for the entire worksite and all the workers who work on the project, handle the situation if something goes wrong, and make sure that the project is finished in the previously agreed upon time.

Subcontractor

Subcontractors are the professionals who work under the main contractor. While the contractor knows what it takes to complete each project from start to finish, the subcontractors have specific areas of expertise, such as electricity, carpentry, plumbing, etc. They report to the contractor, who then reports to the client.

Project Manager

The project manager is responsible for following through with the design process as well as the construction of the project from start to finish. They are the professionals responsible for checking whether the plan is followed during construction, they stay on top of the budget, organize schedules, and communicate with all the stakeholders in order to see the project through.

This person can be a designer, an architect, an independent project manager, or the client himself.

What’s the Right Project Structure for My Projects?

The professional(s) you need to hire for your project will depend on the size and scope of the project. Let’s explain.

Small Projects

For small projects, you can either go directly with a contractor or go the DIY route if you feel confident in your ability to do it yourself.

For example, if the home project consists of updating an old piece of wooden furniture that requires sanding, painting, and putting it all back together, you can do it if you have the necessary skills or willingness to learn. However, if you’re doing a remodel that requires changing electrical wiring and getting the proper permit, you’ll want to hire a contractor since this is a more complex project that requires professional knowledge and skill.

Medium-Sized Projects

If you need to tackle a more complicated project than just a simple room makeover, it’s best to hire someone with more expertise.

Let’s say you want to tackle a total remodel of your kitchen and pantry. You’ll want to work with a designer or an architect (if you want to do structural changes to your kitchen), as well as a group of subcontractors who’ll do the work on your kitchen. An added benefit would be to have the designer or architect act as a project manager and stay on top of all the different building stages and the subcontractors, or you could do this yourself.

Large Project

For these types of projects, you’ll need a group of experienced professionals in order for the process to flow as smoothly as possible.

Let’s say you’re renovating your whole house and doing structural changes to it. You’ll need an architect who’ll design the whole house as well as a contractor or a project manager who’ll follow the whole project through (this person can also be the architect, but you will have to pay an additional fee for that). Throughout the process, you’ll need to hire different subcontractors that will handle structural changes, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc. However,  if you have a project manager on-site, they’ll be responsible for the communication between different subcontractors as well as staying on budget.

Final Thoughts

People who are doing remodels that require the expertise of the professionals we’ve mentioned above can choose between an interior designer, an architect, or a contractor. However, sometimes you need a different kind of professional with a different set of skills, like:

• Color consultant - If you’re working on finding inspiration for building the perfect nursery but don’t want to hire an interior designer or an architect, you’ll benefit from a consultation with a color specialist who’ll help you find the perfect color scheme for your baby’s room.
• Kitchen designer - If you’re just focussing on improving your kitchen, you may want to work with a kitchen designer who can help you design the kitchen of your dreams that’s functional and makes use of each nook and corner.
• Landscape architect - If you’re working on creating the ideal outdoor area that will not only give you a place to escape and relax after a hard day at work but also increase the property value, a landscape architect is the right person for it. To build your dream backyard, you may also need to hire a landscape contractor who will make sure that the backyard gets realized exactly as the landscape architect planned it.
• Closet designer - If you want to build the walk-in closet of your dreams that fits all the clothes you own in a neat and easily accessible way, you may want to work with someone who specializes in making this a reality for you.

Whoever you end up hiring, make sure that they understand your vision and are willing to support you through every step of the process.