Q: Will an interior designer just do a color consultation if requested?

Tags: color consultation interior designer cost

Alycia W from
AJW Design Co
Corona, CA

A:

You should be able to find an interior designer to do a color consultation with you. If you are looking for a paint scheme, the best way to maximize your time with a designer is when you call to tell them ahead of time colors that you like and dislike. They can pull some color combos for you ahead of time.

It usually only will take about an hour of time at their hourly rate. Just ask, they won't bite. :-)

Thomas K from
Kellogg's Painting Company
Catskill, NY

A: Color Consultation

Interior Designers usually will do color consultations, some do them via email, using photos and others will come to your home, they will usually bring color swatches from various paint companies, then usually create a larger color swatch once you narrow your colors down. Some interior designers will even go shopping with you for room furnishings at additional cost, as previously mentioned it usually only takes about an hour for a color consultation, som painting contractors include a free color consultation when they propose to paint your home.

Dorothy Ray
Wilmington, NC

A: Design help for paint colors

I can't answer for all designers, but I often go into a home to help the owner choose a complete color scheme for several rooms. It's important to consider adjoining rooms, whether they will be painted or remain as they are. You can imagine why. Depending upon how many rooms the client wants new colors for, I spend from one to two hours showing her possible choices from paint "decks" I take with me.

If their painter insists upon using a certain brand of paint, I stick with that company's samples. Even though paint stores say they can match colors from any brand, they can't. Unless I go back when the painter begins the job, then back to the paint store to get the color altered, I've found the paint isn't exactly what I wanted it to be. The client doesn't want to pay me extra, and I don't want to spend extra time, but my reputation is at stake. Guess who loses?

Ask your friends if they have had experience with designers or decorators where you live. Expertise and hourly rates can vary widely. I'm still giving my older clients their old rate of three hours consultation for $160. But that's cheap by today's standards. But then, I love what I do. Wish I could help you with your paint choices.