Snubbed by interior designer

[DavesBonnyLass]

We're looking for an an interior designer to help us decorate a master bedroom and en suite, two double bedrooms, small sitting area, and small home office. I wrote to one and explained a little about our project, that we had some of the furnishings already, and that we'd never worked with a designer before and needed guidance from the start. She replied and asked for our budget. I wrote back saying it was between £10-16K, depending on flooring and artwork, etc where we'd splurge. She responded, saying, "Don't want to be rude, but my fees would put a big dent in your project...hope you can find someone else."

Well, I think she WAS rude! Our budget didn't include fees since we've absolutely no idea how it would be best to work (flat fee, by room, size, mood boards only, etc.) Sounds to us like she can't be bothered with budgets/people below her class? She's SOOOO skilled she can't work with "common folk"? Is our budget really that skimpy?

What do you ladies (and gents) think?

Is there an unsnotty way of saying "you can't afford me"?

Hee hee air of the snots

I hate the preface, but other than that she's not been rude- just saved you time. Your budget is quite tight for that many rooms, but you say you have money for fees separately. How much do you have put aside for fees? I'd probably rather design myself and have more to spend as your £16k will run out fast once you've done flooring blah blah blah...

i'm not being rude or i don't mean to be rude or any of these types of comments is exactly that......rude.

mind you my children say it every 10 minutes right before they're extremley nasty to each other and it really grips my shit so it would have affected me quite badly.

you have my sympathy.

Is it possible that she thought the £16k was supposed to include her fees? Either way, I find her response a bit unprofessional so would probably move on to someone else and make sure that you are clear next time that the budget is £16k plus their fees.

Hesterton he's all yours, just keep him away from electrics he has a thing about "lighting systems" you will never be able to switch on a light again....

The written word can come across differently to what the writer intended, maybe call someone next time instead of sending an email?

Please don't tar us all with the same brush! There is a lot of work required to do 6 rooms, and she was right to say upfront that she wouldn't be able to help, and was possibly a bit too blunt - have worked for some like that in the past, and the polite part of their brain is sometimes removed! But a good one will be able to talk you through what she/he could deliver for that budget, and then it's up to you to decide how to progress....