Choosing Between an ID and a Renovation Contractor

What You Need to Know

So, you've received your key and now you’re faced with a big decision: Should you hire an Interior Designer (ID) or a renovation contractor? It’s a common dilemma, and this post is here to help you make the right choice for your renovation journey. Just to clarify, this post is written from a contractor’s perspective, so keep in mind that what may seem easy for me might not be as straightforward for you. I’ll be sharing my personal experiences and insights, but I highly recommend doing your own research as well!

Renovation Contractor vs. ID: Cost Savings

When it comes to costs, hiring a renovation contractor will generally save you a significant amount of money—around 40% to 60%, based on my experience. Let me share a recent example to put things into perspective. Last year, I worked on a friend’s 2-bedroom condo at Riversuite. He got three quotes from interior designers, and the prices ranged from $60,000 to $78,000. These quotes only covered the contractor work, not electrical work, and didn’t include furniture.

In the end, he chose to hire me as the renovation contractor, and the total cost came to about $45,000. This included variations (VO) and electrical work, which the IDs didn’t cover in their initial quotes. That’s a massive difference in savings, and he was able to use the extra money to upgrade the furniture and buy a better TV.

After the renovation was complete, I asked him if all the headaches, calls, and coordination were worth it. He said yes—he felt the money saved was totally worth the time spent, and he even learned a lot in the process. He was confident that for his next renovation, he could handle more of it himself.

The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Contractor

As a contractor, I always stress the importance of prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. Sure, a house that looks stunning is great, but when it comes to maintenance, you don’t want to regret having to clean every corner and crevice. For example, intricate ceiling coves and fluted panels might look beautiful, but cleaning them can be a hassle. You’ll have to shift furniture around just to clean around the cove. While IDs may propose these fancy designs to make your home look spectacular, you’re the one who will have to deal with the maintenance afterward.

Many homeowners today are quite resourceful—they turn to Google, Facebook, and other platforms for design ideas and even source their own contractors to bring those ideas to life. As a contractor, we guide you based on our experience, but the final decision is always yours to make. We won’t force you to choose specific items like tiles, lighting, or accessories; instead, we teach you how to make informed choices based on what we’ve seen work in the past.

One downside to hiring a contractor is that you might face some unnecessary headaches. You’ll need to coordinate between different contractors, which can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. For example, a contractor might ask you for a lock number, or you might have to clarify details like who should do what first. If you’re unsure, you can always bring the relevant contractors together onsite to discuss things in person. This will help you better understand the process and who should handle each part of the job. But overall, coordination is usually pretty minimal, with the biggest challenge being the electrical work.

Another thing to note is that contractors typically don’t handle everything. For example, if you need a shower screen or doors, I’ll be happy to arrange them for you, but they’ll come at a markup because I need to take responsibility for them. These items are typically measured after tiling is done, and there’s no major difference whether you call the supplier or I do. These phone calls aren’t really worth the added markup, in my opinion.

Payment Terms: A Key Difference

When you hire a contractor, one advantage is the flexibility of payment terms. Since you’re dealing with individual contractors for different tasks, you’ll pay smaller amounts more frequently. On the other hand, with an ID, you’re typically looking at larger payments, possibly around 5 to 6 installments. If the ID runs into financial trouble, you could lose a significant sum of money. It’s always better to manage your payments in smaller chunks, especially when you’re working with various specialists.

The Importance of Due Diligence

No matter which route you decide to go—contractor or ID—always, always do your due diligence. Unfortunately, I’ve heard horror stories of contractors disappearing with clients’ money, and the same can happen with IDs. Some contractors will offer incredibly low quotes to lure you in, but then charge exorbitant prices for variations or additional work later on. Don’t fall for the cheapest price; choose someone you’re comfortable with.

Always make sure that every detail is outlined clearly in the quotation. One thing I’ve seen happen is where a client was quoted a seemingly reasonable price from an ID, only to find out after making a deposit that the quoted price was incomplete. For example, an ID might quote  Hacking – $1000, Painting – $1000, Tiling – $1000, total only $2000 written in the total amount), but then say the total should actually be $3,000 after the deposit is paid. You don’t want to end up in that situation, so double-check all the numbers and terms before signing anything.

I recently worked with a client in Woodlands who had this exact experience. He received a quote from an ID firm, but after paying a deposit, the ID told him the total price was higher than what was originally stated. In the end, the ID refunded half of the deposit, but the experience left the homeowner frustrated. This kind of thing can be avoided if you’re vigilant.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post has helped you weigh the pros and cons of hiring a renovation contractor versus an interior designer. In the end, the choice is yours, but I strongly recommend doing your research and choosing someone you feel comfortable working with. Renovating your home is a big investment, both in terms of time and money, so don’t rush into anything. Whether you go with an ID or a renovation contractor, make sure the process is smooth, transparent, and tailored to your needs.

Good luck with your renovation, and I hope you enjoy the journey of transforming your home!