If you are an interior designer, do you get asked to do stuff by friends and family?

[jamaisjedors]

And if so, do they pay you, and is it annoying?

I know a few of you on here are designers, and my SIL is one.

When we did our kitchen a couple of years ago I sent her the final plans to look at and she made some useful comments but said I could have asked her to do it (I paid someone else, I didn't feel I could ask her).

Now I need to design some fitted furniture in our bedroom, which is kind of her speciality, but I don't know whether it's cheeky to ask her to help with this.

I could pay her, but would have no idea how much and it would probably never be enough.

But then I thought she might be offended if I DIDN'T ask her opinion, as if I didn't trust her taste!

Any thoughts?

I have a good friend who is an interior designer. I wanted her help with ideas, to help choose fabrics, paint colors, etc. DH and I were doing most of the actual work ourselves (he's good at DIY and I sew). She and I reached an agreement that I would pay her by the hour. I am sure she charged me less than her regular clients, but it worked out well, and we were all pleased with the results.

Ok that sounds sensible SconeRhymeswithgone.

I will suggest that to her (and ask what her hourly rate is).

I think you need to treat it like you would a relative who was an electrician. A couple of questions when you meet up should be fine, but if you are asking for more than that I'd pay.

She might offer you a discount or charge you the going rate but that is her choice. You should approach her as you would other businesses.

And as it is her business I should think she would get rather annoyed when people ask her for free but prefer to spend their money with one of her competitors.

The downside to friends & family is if things go wrong it can ruin your relationship.
Most important to clarify money first.
Eg Someone I know had some curtains made by a friend. They do look fabulous but they cost far more than the person actually wanted to pay...

I totally agree about the pitfalls MrsTara!

I have some friends in the same situation for the curtains, in the end the quote was too high from a friend so they went with someone else, this led to a bit of bad feeling I think, which is the last thing I want with SIL!

I don't think she was annoyed at me showing her the plans of the kitchen (she asked to see them, and I didn't know her well enough at the time to ask her to do a whole set of plans, she just had a quick look and made one good suggestion about tiles), but now that I know her better I want to tread carefully!

I'm also wary because my own job means people ask me to do lots of things for free which they think will only take 5 minutes and of course take me ages because I want to do it properly for them.

I used to be a curtain maker. Fine to ask a question or two, but cheeky if you end up picking her brains but then using someone else. If you are picking her brains and then doing the work yourself - that is OK. There may be a way for her to make a bit on it too - can she buy the fabric for you and you split the discount eg. Be honest with her I think - my very BF would say I can't afford you here (spare room in holiday cottage) but can you do this (main bedroom in house)

It REALLY bugs me when friends assume that things you find easy they should therefore access for free - can you just hem these trousers, I know it won't take you a minute - but most people understand that a small gift - chocs or a bottle of wine - in lieu of payment for a small job smooths the path.

I used to be an interior designer and the answer is: it depends on who's asking, and what for. A quick coffee in exchange for some general advice is one thing, and I was usually happy to do it for family and close friends. But you learn to spot very quickly who just wants to get some fabric cheaper because they know you get a discount.

But I've also done a lot of paid work for my closest friend (new kitchen, living room, bedrooms) and amazingly enough we are still friends. She's a garden designer and I've paid her for to design my garden. I think because we both know how much work can be involved in design we respect each other's time.

I think you should start the conversation by saying that you expect to pay her for her time, and how much does she charge. She'll probably be pleased to be asked - I know if my friend had asked someone else I'd have been quite hurt actually!

you could try doing it yourself with the help of either the ikea design software and Pax or use Jali to come up with your own cupboards ?!

I'm an eye surgeon/doctor and people are always asking questions if they are unhappy with their glasses (free refraction/sight test) or do I think their cataracts need doing... or other general quick things... It's fine though as NHS is free!

Blackeyez09, I'm guessing that bothers you? I think it's inevitable in most professions, people want a bit of free advice. I just don't want to cross the line with SIL, but don't want to offend either.

OneplanonHouzz, thanks, I think I will do the bulk of it myself - have been looking a Ikea pax, and then just ask her for a quick look to point out any glaring oversights or general hideousness! I don't know Jali, I'll take a look.

That's what I prefer when people ask me to do translation work - they do the bulk of it themselves and then I don't mind giving it a once over for free.

I am an interior designer who is frequently asked questions by friends. It is fine if it is just a general advice but to do anything above that I generally would do "mates rates".