What to Ask a Firm or Designer Before Starting Your Interior Design Project?

Questions About Their Experience and Past Work

Start here. Before anything else. How a firm talks about their past work tells you a lot about how they’ll handle yours.

1. Can I see projects similar to mine in size and budget? Anyone can show a premium 3,000 sq ft showpiece. You want to see how they handled a flat like yours.
2. Can I speak to past clients directly? References matter. If they hesitate on this, that’s worth noting.
3. How many years have you been doing residential projects specifically? Commercial and residential work are different. Make sure their experience matches your project type.
4. Who on your team will actually supervise my project on-site? Senior designers often sign clients, then hand execution to junior staff. Know who’s actually running the job.

What to listen for

Strong firms answer these confidently and openly. They welcome the conversation. If answers are vague or they redirect to marketing language, that’s a red flag.

Questions About How They Charge

Pricing models vary across firms in Bangladesh. Understanding theirs before signing protects you from confusion later.

1. Do you charge per square foot, a fixed package price, or a percentage of total cost? All three models exist. Each has implications for your budget.
2. Is the design fee separate from the execution fee? Many firms charge for 3D drawings and design separately from actual construction work. Clarify this upfront.
3. What exactly is included in your quoted price? Labour, materials, supervision, hardware, fixtures? Or just carpentry? Get specifics, not assumptions.
4. How do you handle price changes mid-project? Material price shifts happen. Know their policy before you’re in the middle of it.
5. What are the payment milestones? Standard practice is milestone-based. If they ask for 80 to 100% upfront, walk away.

Questions About Scope of Work

The scope document is the most important thing in any interior project. Never start without one.

1. Will you provide a written scope of work before any payment? This should cover every room, every item, material specifications, and timeline. Non-negotiable.
2. What happens if I want to add something after work starts? Scope additions should always come with a separate cost estimate and written approval. Ask how they handle this.
3. Which parts of the project are you responsible for and which do I manage myself? Some firms hand off electrical and plumbing to you. Others manage everything. Know the division clearly.
4. Will material specifications be listed by brand and grade in the document? “Wardrobe” is not a specification. You need board type, thickness, brand, and finish. Insist on this.

Why this matters

Vague scope documents lead to cost disputes, unfinished work, and disagreements over what was agreed. The more detailed the document, the fewer problems during execution.

Questions About Materials and Sourcing

This is where a lot of budget surprises happen. Know how they handle materials before work starts.

1. Who purchases the materials, you or me? Some firms buy materials and bill you. Others ask you to source directly. Each has pros and cons.
2. Do you get trade discounts on materials? Some firms pass savings to clients. Others keep the margin. Worth asking openly.
3. What board do you use for carpentry, and why? The answer tells you immediately whether they’re thinking about quality or just cost.
4. Do you recommend materials suited to Bangladesh’s climate? Moisture-resistant boards, heat-appropriate fabrics, local vs. imported choices. A knowledgeable firm will already be thinking about this.

Questions About Timeline

Timeline questions reveal how organized a firm actually is.

1. What is the realistic timeline for my project from start to completion? Get a range, not just an optimistic best case.
2. What could delay the project and how do you handle it? Power cuts, material delays, labour issues. Good firms have a plan. New ones often don’t.
3. How many projects are you running at the same time as mine? Too many parallel projects means your job gets less attention. Know where you sit in their schedule.
4. What do I need to provide or decide, and by when? Your approvals and decisions affect the timeline too. Know your own deadlines.

Questions About Communication During the Project

Poor communication is one of the top complaints clients have after a project ends. Set expectations before it starts.

1. Who is my main point of contact throughout the project? One clear person. Not three rotating staff with inconsistent information.
2. How often will you update me on progress? Weekly updates at minimum for active projects. Know the format, whether that’s site visits, photos, or calls.
3. How quickly do you respond to questions or concerns? This matters more than most people think once work is underway.
4. What is the process if I’m unhappy with something during execution? How do they handle complaints? What’s the fix process?

Red Flags to Watch For

Some things should stop you from signing immediately. These are the ones I’ve seen cause the most problems.

• No written scope of work offered before payment
• Pressure to sign or pay quickly before you’ve reviewed anything
• Portfolio that doesn’t include projects close to your size or budget
• Unwillingness to share client references
• Pricing that seems dramatically lower than every other quote you received
• Vague answers about who specifically will supervise your project
• No clear milestone-based payment structure

Trust your instincts here. If something feels off during the conversation, it usually is.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many firms should I consult before choosing one?
Talk to at least three. This gives you enough context to compare quotes, communication styles, and how each firm handles your questions. One meeting is rarely enough to make a confident decision.

Is it normal to pay for an initial consultation?
Some firms charge a consultation fee, some don’t. If they do, the fee should come off the project cost if you proceed. Always ask about this before the first meeting.

What should I bring to the first meeting with a firm?
Bring your floor plan if you have one, a rough budget range, your move-in timeline, and any reference images of styles you like. The more information you give them, the more useful the conversation will be.

What is the most important document to get before starting?
The written scope of work, with material specifications listed by brand and grade. This single document protects you through every stage of the project.

Can I change my mind about something after signing?
Yes, but changes should always be documented in writing with updated cost estimates before any revised work begins. Never agree to changes verbally.