This is something most people have questions about when they start a design project - that is if they've never worked with a designer before. I'm going to explain, step-by-step, how my design business purchases furniture and decor for our clients.
This is important to know before you start a project. Most of the products design studios sell are customized in some way, making the process of ordering them a bit more complicated than simply picking up the phone and placing an order.
Obtaining Quotes
After everything is selected and designed, quotes for furnishings items we present are obtained from showrooms, vendors, workrooms. Then we input all that information and formulate our proposals.
Clients then pay in full for items and we place the orders. Since many items are custom and almost all vendors need to be paid by me in full prior to installation, I require a payment in full.
In addition to our design fees, I have a minimal markup on items purchased through my studio, for procurement.
When Payment Is Due
Nothing is ordered until we have money from you for that item and it has been cleared for use in our account. So, for instance, if a client pays via credit card, the transaction might not be complete until 2-3 days after the payment was initiated. Once that money actually makes its way into our account that is when the ordering will begin.
Freight, Delivery & Installation
Furniture purchased from manufacturers requires shipment to a warehouse that has a dock and is always staffed during business hours.
Furniture cannot be shipped directly to a residence.
We only use companies who are insured and have all the necessary equipment and manpower for receiving, warehousing, delivery, and installation. All designers use these types of services, that is unless they have some kind of a dock at their own business locations.
When a client's piece of furniture comes in, it is uncrated, inspected for damages, I am notified of its arrival with a picture and a report, and we then store the client's item until the rest of their furnishings come in.
The cost of this receiving and storage service is included in your invoice on your cost of product. We typically estimate freight/shipping charges based on our experience with our vendors and it is included in your invoice for the product(s).
Delivery and installation is a separate item and is billed after installation. That cost depends on the types of items delivered, how many there are, the location of the project (because of drive time), an upstairs or complex installation, etc.
Comparative Pricing
Some of the products we sell through Aston Design Studio are available via online retailers.
We try our best to be competitive with those retailers, but we're usually not cheaper, because they have greater buying power. We know we will be competitive, not always less, but competitive.
We do, however, love your project and care deeply about its outcome. We will be there to install it and make sure it is all complete and looks gorgeous! An online retailer will not.
We think the time and effort we put into procurement and installation of your furnishings is worth the money you pay when purchasing through this studio.
That is why we want to deliver the whole package to you and not have you doing part of the project with shopping yourself and then part purchasing through our studio. It just creates problems and makes the project less than desirable for us, for sure.
We do like working with some of your existing furnishings though and will happily do reupholstery, refinishing, etc.
Custom Products
Most of the items purchased through the studio have some customization to them.
Upholstery is always done with a fabric we hand-select, because we know what will work best for a client's project (trim options, finish options, details, etc. are elements that can be customized). We have several tried and true sources we prefer to use for upholstery that have great construction.
Window treatments are always custom. Either we will take measurements, or we have an installer who will do it. We also quote everything else that's needed, like fabric, labor, hardware, etc.
With casegoods, there are usually many options for finishes or details. If a piece is customized it may take longer to arrive.
Lead Times
Lead times vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, and we have no control over them.
We can, however, check stock ahead of time to see if something is available at the time of order placement; but if something is out of stock, it might take longer to receive than expected.
Always, when we give you an estimated time frame, we're telling you exactly what they've reported to us.
And there you have it! A pretty comprehensive rundown of how my interior design firm purchases products for a client.
If you feel there's something I didn't address but should have, please let me know so I can fill in the blanks ;-)
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What's it like to work with an interior designer? Here are some links to find out.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Interior Designer / Decorator?
Here's Why Interior Designers Have Furnishings Shipped To Warehouses
How To Prepare For Your First Meeting With An Interior Designer