One of the most common questions I hear at the beginning of a renovation is: If I have a general contractor, why do I need an interior designer?
It’s an understandable question. Both are heavily involved in a residential remodel, both make frequent site visits, and both will be speaking to trades and suppliers throughout the project. But their roles are fundamentally different.
Understanding that distinction at the beginning of a project can prevent a great deal of confusion, and some very expensive mistakes, later.
The Interior Designer
An interior designer develops the overall creative vision for the home and then translates that vision into a series of detailed decisions. That can begin with something as fundamental as space planning. Is the kitchen in the right place? Could a bathroom function better? Should a doorway move? How should the cabinetry be configured?
From there, the designer considers how all the elements relate to one another: flooring, stone, tile, cabinetry, hardware, plumbing fixtures, lighting, paint, furniture, textiles and art. The designer’s responsibility is to ensure those individual decisions ultimately create one cohesive home.
On a substantial renovation, this may include:
- Space planning and furniture layouts
- Kitchen and bathroom design
- Custom cabinetry and millwork
- Lighting selection and placement
- Plumbing fixtures
- Stone, tile and flooring
- Paint and wall finishes
- Hardware and architectural details
- Furniture and upholstery
- Window treatments
- Art and accessories
- Custom furniture, procurement and installation
The designer also works closely with the architect, contractor and specialist trades to communicate the design intent and resolve the inevitable questions that arise during construction.
The General Contractor
The general contractor is responsible for executing the construction. Once the design has been established and the appropriate drawings and specifications produced, the contractor determines the labor, sequencing and construction methods necessary to build it.
The contractor typically hires and coordinates the subcontractors, including electricians, plumbers, framers, drywall installers, tile setters and painters, and manages the day-to-day construction schedule. The GC is also responsible for pricing construction work, ordering many construction materials, coordinating inspections and ensuring the work is completed in accordance with the project’s construction documents and applicable requirements.
Where Do the Roles Overlap?
Both designer and contractor may be discussing the same kitchen, but they are approaching it from different perspectives. I may be considering cabinetry proportions, the relationship between stone and flooring, decorative lighting, hardware finish and how the kitchen relates visually to adjoining rooms.
The contractor is considering framing, plumbing, electrical requirements, installation sequencing, labor and constructability. The best projects happen when those two perspectives work together.
A good contractor is an invaluable partner to a designer. Equally, a contractor shouldn’t be expected to make dozens of aesthetic decisions on behalf of the homeowner simply because those decisions weren’t made before construction began.
Who Is in Charge?
Neither professional simply replaces the other. The homeowner is ultimately the client, while the contracts and project structure determine each professional’s particular responsibilities. For larger renovations there may also be an architect, structural engineer, landscape designer and other consultants.
A successful project therefore isn’t about one person controlling everything. It is about clearly defining responsibility and making sure the right person is making the right decision.
Why This Matters
Many renovation problems don’t begin on the construction site. They begin months earlier because decisions weren’t made soon enough. A contractor may need to know the precise location of a wall-mounted faucet before the wall is closed. The electrician needs to know where a pendant will hang before wiring is completed. The cabinetmaker needs to understand appliance dimensions before fabrication begins.
Good interior design anticipates those decisions. And good construction turns those decisions into reality. When the designer and general contractor are brought together early, as explored in When Should You Hire an Interior Designer for a Renovation?, and communicate well throughout the project, the homeowner gets the benefit of both disciplines: a home that is beautifully considered and properly built.
Rebecca Duke is Founder and Principal Designer of The R Creative, a Los Angeles residential interior design studio specializing in considered interiors and residential renovations.
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