Hiring an Interior Design Consultants is a big decision. Many people make mistakes that cost them time and money. This guide will help you avoid these mistakes. Learn what NOT to do when you hire a designer in Dubai.
Why People Make Mistakes When Hiring Interior Designers
Hiring a designer for the first time can be confusing. There are many designers in Dubai. You want your home or office to look perfect. But if you make mistakes, you can waste money and time. You might not get what you want.
Let’s look at the most common mistakes people make.
Mistake Number One: Not Checking the Designer’s Past Work
Many people hire a designer without looking at their work. This is a big mistake.
Why This is a Problem
You don’t know if the designer is good. You don’t know their style. You might not like their work after they finish.
What You Should Do Instead
- Ask to see photos of their old projects
- Look at their website
- Check if they did projects like yours before
- Ask for before and after pictures
If a designer won’t show you their work, don’t hire them.
Mistake Number Two: Choosing the Cheapest Designer You Can Find
Some people pick the designer with the lowest price. This is often a mistake.
Why This is a Problem
Cheap designers might:
- Use bad materials
- Do poor quality work
- Not finish the project
- Have no experience
- Cut corners to save money
You might spend more money later to fix problems.
What You Should Do Instead
- Compare prices from three or four designers
- Ask what is included in the price
- Pick good value, not just low price
- Remember that quality costs money
At Liger Interiors, we give you fair prices and good quality work.
Mistake Number Three: Not Having a Clear Budget in Your Mind
Many people start without knowing how much they can spend. This causes big problems.
Why This is a Problem
- You might run out of money
- The designer might suggest things too expensive
- You can’t plan properly
- You might need to stop the project halfway
What You Should Do Instead
- Decide your budget before you meet designers
- Be honest about how much you can spend
- Keep some extra money for surprises
- Tell your designer your budget clearly
Mistake Number Four: Not Getting Everything in Writing on Paper
Some people trust verbal promises. They don’t ask for written contracts. This is dangerous.
Why This is a Problem
- No proof of what was promised
- Can’t hold the designer responsible
- Prices might change later
- No clear timeline
- Hard to solve problems later
What You Should Do Instead
- Get a written contract
- Make sure it includes prices, timeline, and what work will be done
- Read everything before you sign
- Ask questions if something is not clear
- Keep copies of all papers
Never start work without a contract.
Mistake Number Five: Not Checking Reviews and References from Other Clients
Some people don’t ask about the designer’s reputation. They just trust the designer’s words.
Why This is a Problem
You don’t know if:
- Past clients were happy
- The designer finishes work on time
- The designer is honest
- There were problems before
What You Should Do Instead
- Read online reviews
- Ask for phone numbers of past clients
- Call these clients and ask about their experience
- Check Google reviews and social media
- Look for patterns in reviews (good or bad)
Mistake Number Six: Picking a Designer Based Only on Pretty Pictures
Many people choose designers just because their photos look nice. But pretty pictures are not enough.
Why This is a Problem
- The designer might not listen to what you want
- They might be difficult to work with
- They might not understand your needs
- Their style might not match what you want
What You Should Do Instead
- Meet the designer in person
- See if they listen to you
- Check if they ask about your needs
- Make sure you feel comfortable with them
- Trust your feelings about the person
Mistake Number Seven: Not Asking About the Designer’s Knowledge of Dubai
Some designers are new to Dubai. They don’t know local rules and suppliers.
Why This is a Problem
- They don’t know building codes
- They don’t know where to buy materials
- They don’t understand Dubai’s weather
- Projects take longer
- Things might not follow Dubai rules
What You Should Do Instead
- Ask how long they worked in Dubai
- Check if they know local suppliers
- Make sure they understand Dubai regulations
- Ask if they designed projects in Dubai before
Liger Interiors knows Dubai very well. We understand local rules and have good connections with suppliers.
Mistake Number Eight: Wanting Everything Done Too Fast
Some people want their project finished very quickly. They rush the designer.
Why This is a Problem
- Quality suffers when work is rushed
- Mistakes happen more often
- Good materials might not be available
- The designer can’t do their best work
- You might not be happy with the result
What You Should Do Instead
- Give reasonable time for the project
- Understand that good work takes time
- Plan ahead and start early
- Be patient with the process
- Ask the designer how long they need
Mistake Number Nine: Not Communicating Clearly What You Want
Many people don’t explain clearly what they want. They expect the designer to read their mind.
Why This is a Problem
- The designer might create something you don’t like
- You waste time redoing things
- Money is wasted
- Everyone gets frustrated
- The final result disappoints you
What You Should Do Instead
- Collect photos of styles you like
- Write down what you want
- Tell the designer your likes and dislikes
- Be clear about colors, styles, and feelings you want
- Share examples from magazines or websites
Mistake Number Ten: Trying to Control Every Small Detail
Some people want to make every decision themselves. They don’t trust the designer’s expertise.
Why This is a Problem
- You hired a professional but don’t use their skills
- The project takes much longer
- The designer can’t do creative work
- You might make design mistakes
- You don’t get value for your money
What You Should Do Instead
- Trust your designer’s experience
- Give them creative freedom
- Focus on big decisions
- Let them handle small details
- Remember why you hired a professional
Mistake Number Eleven: Not Planning for Extra Costs
Many people think the first price is the final price. But projects often need more money.
Why This is a Problem
- Surprises always happen in projects
- Materials might cost more than expected
- You might want to add things
- Construction might find hidden problems
- You might run out of money
What You Should Do Instead
- Keep 10-20% extra money for surprises
- Ask about possible extra costs
- Understand what is NOT included in the price
- Plan for contingencies
- Don’t spend all your money at once
Mistake Number Twelve: Ignoring Your Own Lifestyle and Needs
Some people focus only on looks. They forget how they actually live or work.
Why This is a Problem
- Beautiful space but not comfortable
- Hard to use daily
- Not practical for your life
- Might look good but doesn’t work well
- You won’t be happy living or working there
What You Should Do Instead
- Think about how you use your space
- Tell the designer about your daily routine
- Consider your family or work needs
- Balance beauty with function
- Make sure the design fits your life
How Liger Interiors Helps You Avoid These Mistakes
At Liger Interiors, we help you avoid all these mistakes. We:
- Show you our past work clearly
- Give honest and fair prices
- Help you set a realistic budget
- Provide detailed written contracts
- Share references from happy clients
- Know Dubai rules and market very well
- Give realistic timelines
- Listen carefully to what you want
- Use our expertise to guide you
- Plan for all costs upfront
- Design for your lifestyle and needs
We make the process smooth and easy for you.
Final Tips for Hiring an Interior Designer in Dubai
Remember these important points:
- Take your time to choose
- Do your research
- Ask many questions
- Get everything in writing
- Trust but verify
- Communicate clearly
- Set realistic expectations
- Keep some extra budget
- Listen to your designer’s advice
- Check their Dubai experience
Conclusion: Learn from Others’ Mistakes
Many people made these mistakes before you. Learn from them. Don’t repeat them. When you avoid these common mistakes, you will:
- Save money
- Save time
- Get better results
- Have less stress
- Love your final space
Hiring an interior designer should be exciting, not stressful. Choose carefully. Avoid these mistakes. And enjoy creating your dream home or office.
Ready to work with a designer who helps you avoid these mistakes? Contact Liger Interiors today. We make your interior design journey easy and enjoyable.