Choosing an interior designer is not the same as choosing a style. The appointment affects how the brief is translated into drawings, how cost and programme are controlled, how technical teams coordinate and how confidently decisions move from concept to site. A beautiful portfolio is useful evidence, but it is only one part of the decision.

1. Define the project before comparing designers

Start with the type of space, location, approximate area, target budget, desired completion date and the level of support you expect. An office fit-out in Nairobi, a laboratory, a coastal villa and a hotel renovation need very different planning, coordination and delivery experience. A good shortlist therefore begins with relevant project fit, not with a generic ranking of design firms.

Give every shortlisted designer the same starting information

  • Project type, location and approximate size.
  • What is changing and why the project is being undertaken.
  • Target budget or realistic funding range.
  • Desired opening, occupation or handover date.
  • Whether you need design-only, tender support, procurement or full design-and-build.
  • Known landlord, operational, technical or approval constraints.

2. Look for proof, not just attractive images

Ask whether the portfolio shows the studio’s own completed work and what role it played on each project. A firm may have designed a project, delivered the fit-out, supplied furniture, provided visualisation only or participated as part of a wider team. Those are all legitimate roles, but they demonstrate different capabilities.

3. Compare scope before comparing fees

Two design fees are only comparable when the deliverables are comparable. One proposal may stop at concept visuals; another may include measured surveys, detailed plans, reflected ceiling plans, power and data layouts, joinery details, schedules, specifications, coordination, tender support and site review. The second proposal can appear more expensive while actually carrying much more responsibility.

Confirm whether the appointment includes

  • Briefing and site survey.
  • Space planning and test fits.
  • Concept and design development.
  • Technical drawings and schedules.
  • Furniture, finishes and equipment specification.
  • MEP and specialist coordination.
  • Cost planning or BoQ coordination.
  • Tendering, procurement and contractor clarification.
  • Site inspections, approvals, snagging and handover support.

4. Understand the commercial model

Ask how fees are calculated, when they are invoiced, what counts as an additional service and how changes are handled. If the same company will also build the project, ask how the construction price is formed and how design decisions, substitutions and variations will be documented. Transparency matters more than whether a firm uses a percentage fee, lump sum, staged fee or another legitimate model.

5. Test the working relationship

Interior projects require repeated decisions under time and budget pressure. Notice whether the designer asks useful questions, explains trade-offs clearly and records decisions. A team that only agrees with everything during the sales meeting may be less useful than one that identifies risks early and challenges assumptions constructively.

Before you appoint

  1. Shortlist firms with relevant sector and delivery experience.
  2. Issue the same brief to each firm.
  3. Compare scope and exclusions line by line.
  4. Review two or three real projects and clarify the firm’s role.
  5. Understand fees, payment stages and change control.
  6. Speak to references where appropriate.
  7. Agree the decision process, deliverables and next milestone in writing.