Who Does What? A Client’s Guide to Interior Designers vs. Contractors
If you’re renovating or building, you’re probably going to work with a few different professionals. And if you’re not in the construction or design industry, it can be surprisingly difficult to know who is actually responsible for what. Does the designer order the cabinets? Does the contractor choose the tile? Who handles the weird thing we found behind the wall? It’s not surprising that a lot of clients aren’t that clear on who does what with regards to design and construction projects.
Here’s the simplest way to think about it:
The designer figures out what the home should look and feel like. The contractor figures out how to build it.
Easy enough, right? Let’s break it down!
Core Responsibilities of an Interior Designer
An interior designer is responsible for all things design for a project and this can include:
Space planning and layouts
Finish selections like tile, flooring, countertops, paint, and hardware
Plumbing and decorative lighting selections
Cabinetry and millwork design
Furniture and lighting plans
Sourcing and specifying products
Creating drawings, elevations, and finish schedules
Reviewing samples and proposed substitutions
Making sure all of those individual decisions actually work together
During construction, your designer may also visit the site to review the work and make sure the design intent is being carried out correctly.
This does not mean the designer is supervising the contractor's crew or managing the construction site. Unless that responsibility is specifically included in their contract, that is the contractor's lane.
Core Responsibilities of a General Contractor
The general contractor is responsible for confirming the design specs and building, this can include:
Managing subcontractors and trades
Construction scheduling
Site logistics and safety
Permits and inspections, depending on the project and jurisdiction
Construction materials
Ordering and coordinating materials within their scope
Installation and workmanship
Solving construction related problems in the field
Pricing and documenting changes to the construction contract
How do they work together?
Your designer can specify the gorgeous tile and unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures for your new bath. While your contractor will review and confirm the plans and materials, order materials, coordinate with the plumber, navigate any onsite construction related issues that arise, and ensure the installation goes as planned.
Now that’s teamwork!
Who Handles What Cheatsheet
Here’s a simplified breakdown for who leads what on a project
Of course, every project is different. Some projects also need to include an architect or a structural engineer, who may lead structural design, permitting, codes, the removal or addition of walls, and other aspects of the building itself.
The important thing is not who has the fanciest title, it’s that everyone knows where their responsibility starts and stops and it’s clearly communicated from the start of the project.
And Then There are Change Orders
Ah, change orders. The phrase nobody wants to hear, but almost every renovation eventually encounters so it’s best to be prepared.
A change order is simply a formal change to the original scope of work, which can affect the cost, timeline, or both. Sometimes it's because a client changes their mind midway through. Sometimes it's because the contractor opened a wall and discovered something nobody could have seen coming.
The contractor typically identifies the construction cost and schedule impact. The designer helps evaluate how the change affects the overall design. The client ultimately has to approve the change before the additional work proceeds, according to the terms of your contract.
This is one reason having your designer and contractor communicate directly is so valuable. No one wants to play telephone between these two if they don’t have to.
The Bridge Between Confusion & Clarity: Communication
The best renovation teams aren't the ones where everyone does everything. They're the ones where everyone knows who does what from the start of the project, communicates well with the team and client, and respects each person's area of expertise.
Your designer should be focused on creating a home that looks beautiful, functions beautifully, and feels like you.
Your contractor should be focused on building it correctly, flagging any issues, coordinating the people who make it happen, and keeping the project moving.
And you, the client, get to weight in as needed, while watching your home become the space you envisioned without accidentally taking on a second career in construction management. Hopefully.
