A home design project can be a joy if an interior designer and a homeowner click. Sometimes, however, serious problems arise. When difficulties develop, open lines of communication between the home interior designer and the homeowner are essential. Even more important is a comprehensive interior design contract.

Communicate with Your Interior Designer

Talk to your interior designer throughout the design process. Listen to what she has to say, and offer your own thoughts. Communicating with a designer is the best way to avoid conflicts. If problems do occur, they can often be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction if you’ve already established a good rapport with the designer.

Most interior designers are professionals who take great pride in their jobs and want to please their clients. Designers are usually quite willing to listen to a homeowner’s concerns and work toward a solution.

Interior Design Contract

A written interior design agreement will prove to be important if you run into conflicts with your interior designer. Among other elements, your interior design contract should clearly explain the:

• Design project (in specifics)
• Responsibilities of the interior designer
• Timeframe for the project.

If there is a conflict, and talks with your interior designer don’t yield a resolution, the interior design contract may offer clarification and guidance. This makes the wording in an interior design agreement extremely important. Unless the contract is very specific, its wording can be open to interpretation. In these cases, the agreement becomes a source of debate, rather than a mutually acceptable guide.

Mediation and Interior Designer Associations

Let’s say your lines of communication break down, and examining your interior design contract doesn’t result in an agreement. You have an option before considering litigation.

Mediation services may be offered by your state’s Office of Consumer Affairs if the state requires that interior designers be licensed. During mediation, both parties agree to abide by the ruling of a neutral third party. Again, the importance of a clearly worded interior design contract cannot be overstated.

If the interior designer belongs to a professional association, the organization may be willing to help resolve the problem. This is less desirable than other forms of mediation, as the association may be biased towards the interior designer.

When All Else Fails: Legal Action and Interior Design

In some cases, it may be necessary to take legal action to resolve an interior design conflict. Legal action should be a homeowner’s last course of action. A court case is time consuming, stressful, and can become expensive. Try to resolve any conflicts through other avenues before suing the interior designer.

If you do go to court, be prepared. In addition to a written interior design agreement, you should be ready to present as much documentation and correspondence as possible. Always keep record of any conversations or meetings with your interior designer. It’s unlikely you’ll need such records. However, if conflicts wind up in the courtroom, you’ll be glad you took the time to document every conversation.