With the deluge of DIY shelter magazines, home-decorating TV, and easy online access to home furnishings, it was only a matter of time before the interior design industry would be forced to evolve as well. Enter e-Decorating, a budget-friendly, flat-fee based online interior design alternative to traditional, on-site interior design services.
Wondering how e-Decorating works? Here's how face-to-face and web-based compare:
Style and Budget
* An on-site designer helps you define your needs, preferences and budget through on-site consultations. An online designer does the same through a questionnaire, phone consultations and in some cases, services such as Skype.
Inventory, Measuring and Photography *
An on-site designer inventories, measures and photographs your space. An online designer guides you in conducting your own inventory, measuring and photography, which you then submit, typically via e-mail.
* An on-site designer creates your room's design concept, which includes a space plan, color palette and product recommendations. An online designer does the same.
Architectural Drawings
* An on-site designer prepares interior architectural drawings for the construction of the space and or built-ins. An online designer typically does not prepare architectural drawings that require precise on-site measuring.
Purchasing and Installation
* An on-site designer implements and coordinates the purchasing and installation process, with bespoke, antique and/or custom To-The-Trade items not available to the general public. An online designer guides you in implementing the purchasing and installation of products from well-established online-retailers and, in some cases, purchases To-The-Trade items directly for you.
Timeline
* An on-site designer sets the pace for the purchasing and installation process. An online designer allows you to take your project at your own pace, implementing your purchasing and installation as your budget and time allow.
Pricing
* An on-site designer typically requires a retainer ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and charges actual project fees at either a flat or hourly rate based on $120 - $200/hour. An online designer charges a flat fee ranging from $250 - $1,000 for a complete room design.
There you have it. If you're on a slim budget, don't mind doing a little leg-work, and like initiating new projects on your own, consider e-Decorating services. If you have bundles to burn, need precisely dimensioned architectural drawings, and prefer to have someone else do all the leg-work for you, go face-to-face. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
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