Tips for Engaging an Interior Designer in Singapore: What to Expect and Questions to Ask

Should You Hire an Interior Designer in Singapore?

Renovating your home in Singapore, whether it's an HDB flat, a condo, or a landed property, can be a daunting task. An interior designer (ID) can help bring your vision to life, ensuring your space is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Engaging the right interior designer can make the renovation process smoother, helping you manage timelines, budgets, and unforeseen challenges.

Depending on how extensive your renovations are, it is likely that you will need to engage multiple specialists from tiling, carpentry to painting and plumbing works. A contractor centralises all the sub-contractors’ work through a single point of contact, coordinating and overseeing works. An interior designer in Singapore goes a step further to advise on design elements and often provides 3D and 2D renders of the home. 

If you are unsure how to proceed with your renovations and would like more guidance, an interior designer is a good place to start. Here are some lesser known tips on how to find the right ID for you. 

How to Find the Right Interior Designer

1. Identify Your Style and Needs

Before reaching out to designers, understand your own preferences. Do you prefer modern, Scandinavian, minimalist, or industrial designs? Consider the functionality of your space—do you need more storage, multi-purpose rooms, or child-friendly interiors? 

In reality, many people start out with a vision for their home, and it always helps to reference ID portfolios to see if their style matches yours. 

Majority of Singapore IDs are quite adaptable in their style, and can cater to your preference so this is often not the most critical aspect, especially if you already have an eye for design, or are quite flexible with the style. Style is a given, and if this is the home you intend to live in, the more practical considerations to designing your living space such as your lifestyle will be more important than the aesthetics in the long run.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Interior design costs in Singapore can vary widely, depending on the scope of work, materials, and complexity. Some firms charge a fixed design fee, while others offer package deals inclusive of renovation. Be transparent about your budget to avoid hidden costs later.

Most IDs will request for a budget in the initial meeting. This guides interior designers to recommend ideas that suit your budget range. However, it can be tricky to set a budget without knowing the standard rates. If you don’t have a fixed budget in mind, you can start by sharing your expectations and ask them to share a cost estimate. This ensures both you and the interior designer are aligned early on in terms of costs.

The costs of a renovation often changes during the course of renovation, as both you and your ID adapt to evolving requirements and preferences. It is important to also find out how your interior designer treats these changes and exclusions from the total costs, so you can avoid surprise expenses along the way.

3. Research Interior Design Firms

There are many free available sources to do your research for the right interior designers. Besides interior design firms’ own social media pages, websites like Qanvast, Hometrust, and Renonation often include client reviews and completed projects to do your research. Interior design firms are a good place to start as they tend to have a select few sub-contractors that they work with to ensure workmanship and accountability.

Many interior designers operate quite independently, managing their own projects with the support and resources of their firm.  This means that getting a reputable interior design firm may not always equate to getting a good interior designer. The single most important factor to the success of your renovation is how good your interior designer is in understanding your needs and responding to them.

While a good interior design firm is always helpful, it should not be the main factor when picking your interior designer. 

4. Shortlist and Compare

How many interior designers should you meet and compare quotations from? There is no magic number although most people meet with 3 to 5, and can go up to a dozen interior designers.

When shortlisting your preferred interior designers, price is often the most tangible criteria. However, there are many other considerations that influence your decision, and you should narrow your choices to at least three designers based on their experience, reviews, portfolio and factors that might be important to you. When comparing interior design quotations, request quotations and ensure you understand what’s included (e.g., design fees, project management, carpentry, electrical work, etc.) so you are comparing on a level playing field.

Key Questions to Ask When Interviewing Interior Designers

Background and Experience

• How long have you been in the industry?
• Can you show me a portfolio of completed projects similar to my style and budget?
• Do you have experience with HDB renovations, and are you familiar with HDB guidelines?

Design Process and Project Management

• What is your design process like, and how involved will I be?
• How do you handle project timelines and delays?
• Do you provide 3D renderings or only 2D drawings?
• Will you be managing the renovation process, or will I need to liaise with contractors directly?

Budget and Costs

• What is your pricing structure (fixed fee, percentage-based, or package)?
• What additional costs should I anticipate?
• Do you provide a detailed cost breakdown?
• What is your payment schedule?

Materials and Workmanship

• Do you have preferred suppliers for materials and furnishings?
• How do you ensure quality control during renovation?
• What warranty or after-sales service do you provide?

Regulatory and Practical Considerations

• Are you familiar with BCA, URA, or HDB regulations for renovations?
• Can you assist with obtaining necessary permits for hacking, electrical work, or structural changes?
• How do you handle defects or issues after the renovation is completed?

Use our free interior design checklist to use during live interior design meetings, so you can evaluate interior designers on the fly.

Managing Expectations: What to Prepare

1. Be Clear About Your Vision

Having mood boards, Pinterest inspirations, or reference images can help your designer understand your expectations.

2. Be Open to Suggestions

A good designer will provide insights that you may not have considered, such as space optimization, materials, and color combinations.

3. Understand the Timeline

Renovations in Singapore typically take 8-12 weeks, depending on complexity. Factor in additional time for permit approvals and unforeseen delays.

4. Read the Contract Carefully

Ensure that the contract includes a clear breakdown of scope, timeline, payment terms, and a defect liability period.

Conclusion

Finding the right interior designer in Singapore requires research, clear communication, and realistic expectations. By asking the right questions and setting clear goals, you can ensure a smoother renovation journey and a home that reflects your personality and lifestyle.