Working with Professionals
Renovation Guides
How Do I Find, Assess & Hire the Right People for My Renovation?
Do you need a kitchen designer or a joiner? An architect or an interior designer? Find out with our essential reno guide
Most home renovations, revamps and new building projects call for multiple design, renovation and trades to get the job done. So how do you know who to hire for which room? And how can you tell which tradespeople and professionals will deliver on time, on budget and to a high standard? Houzz’s helpful guide takes you from room to room, start to finish, and walks you through choosing the right pros for your project. Click into the links below for more in-depth information and advice on hiring each professional.
How do I find a kitchen designer?
One of your first steps when searching for the right design professional to make your dream kitchen a reality is to approach it backwards – look to designs you like first, then to the people who created them. Why? Because not all kitchen designers are practised at delivering different styles.
“Most new clients come to me and my colleagues because they’ve seen something we’ve designed and want something similar, but tailored to their distinct needs, desires and aesthetics. These projects run the smoothest and deliver the best outcomes for the homeowner,” says Graeme Metcalf, a multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia, in the article below.
A good kitchen designer will be able to recommend other trades you’ll need for your project, including plumbers, electricians, stone masons, tilers, flooring professionals and joiners if they are not installing your cabinetry themselves.
Metcalf also urges homeowners to read reviews on Houzz and online before hiring a kitchen designer. Unbiased reviews (not testimonials on prospective kitchen designers’ websites) offer valuable insights into professionals’ relationships with their clients – think of reviews as a crystal ball for your own future experience of working with them.
For further tips, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
One of your first steps when searching for the right design professional to make your dream kitchen a reality is to approach it backwards – look to designs you like first, then to the people who created them. Why? Because not all kitchen designers are practised at delivering different styles.
“Most new clients come to me and my colleagues because they’ve seen something we’ve designed and want something similar, but tailored to their distinct needs, desires and aesthetics. These projects run the smoothest and deliver the best outcomes for the homeowner,” says Graeme Metcalf, a multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia, in the article below.
A good kitchen designer will be able to recommend other trades you’ll need for your project, including plumbers, electricians, stone masons, tilers, flooring professionals and joiners if they are not installing your cabinetry themselves.
Metcalf also urges homeowners to read reviews on Houzz and online before hiring a kitchen designer. Unbiased reviews (not testimonials on prospective kitchen designers’ websites) offer valuable insights into professionals’ relationships with their clients – think of reviews as a crystal ball for your own future experience of working with them.
For further tips, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
Which designers do you need for bathroom and laundry renovations?
For projects that are isolated to your wet areas and leave the rest of your home untouched, bathroom designers are often the best pros for the job. In the article below, Caroline Embling, an interior designer at Smarter Bathrooms+, talks you through the two main types of bathroom designers:
If you’re renovating your bathroom or laundry, or building these wet areas afresh, you’ll need multiple trades, from your design and building professionals to a plumber, electrician, tiler and often a stone mason and joiner. These trades are required at different times, in specific orders, so it’s wise to engage a bathroom designer who can manage the entire construction team on your behalf.
For a full list of questions to ask a potential bathroom designer, take a look at the story below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
For projects that are isolated to your wet areas and leave the rest of your home untouched, bathroom designers are often the best pros for the job. In the article below, Caroline Embling, an interior designer at Smarter Bathrooms+, talks you through the two main types of bathroom designers:
- “Independent designers: These designers work directly with clients and builders,” she says.
- “In-house designers working for a bathroom company: They will manage everything from the design to the build of your bathroom.”
If you’re renovating your bathroom or laundry, or building these wet areas afresh, you’ll need multiple trades, from your design and building professionals to a plumber, electrician, tiler and often a stone mason and joiner. These trades are required at different times, in specific orders, so it’s wise to engage a bathroom designer who can manage the entire construction team on your behalf.
For a full list of questions to ask a potential bathroom designer, take a look at the story below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
How do I find a good tiler?
If you’re renovating your kitchen, bathroom or laundry, there’s a high chance you’ll need a tiler. Ask your architect, building designer or bathroom designer if they can recommend good tilers whose work they can vouch for.
This profession often doesn’t get the credit it deserves – a good tiler can prevent expensive future repair jobs, such as the nightmare of re-waterproofing a wet area or replacing cracked tiles (it happens more than you think).
The price of tiling will be affected by the tiles you choose, the pattern you want them laid in, and whether you’re tiling a wall, floor or a curved surface. If you need your tiles cut or shaped, this can increase the cost of labour, which is charged separately to materials. A good tiler will detail all this in a timely, itemised quote and offer solutions to tricky tiling projects.
For more information and tips on telling the difference between a good tiler and a great one, click into the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Tiler
If you’re renovating your kitchen, bathroom or laundry, there’s a high chance you’ll need a tiler. Ask your architect, building designer or bathroom designer if they can recommend good tilers whose work they can vouch for.
This profession often doesn’t get the credit it deserves – a good tiler can prevent expensive future repair jobs, such as the nightmare of re-waterproofing a wet area or replacing cracked tiles (it happens more than you think).
The price of tiling will be affected by the tiles you choose, the pattern you want them laid in, and whether you’re tiling a wall, floor or a curved surface. If you need your tiles cut or shaped, this can increase the cost of labour, which is charged separately to materials. A good tiler will detail all this in a timely, itemised quote and offer solutions to tricky tiling projects.
For more information and tips on telling the difference between a good tiler and a great one, click into the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Tiler
How to find a good carpenter near me
Without cupboards, drawers, shelves and custom-built storage for your space, any room becomes cluttered, messy and disorganised. This is one trade you don’t want to scrimp on, whether you’re redesigning your bedroom or renovating your kitchen.
Some joiners will craft and install your interior designer’s or architect’s designs, while others will design, build and install the joinery themselves.
In the article below, Andrew Jhavery, founder and managing director of Ark Joinery, says it’s important for homeowners to assess the five Ps when searching for a joiner or cabinet maker: presence, proof, premises, people and professionalism.
“First align your project budget, complexity and level of expectations with the kind of company you should be on the lookout for. There’s no point in chasing champagne on a beer budget; if you want a check-in from your cabinet maker three times a day, you’ll probably find that level of service is going to cost a lot more,” he says.
For more tips and your need-to-know guide on all things joinery, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
Without cupboards, drawers, shelves and custom-built storage for your space, any room becomes cluttered, messy and disorganised. This is one trade you don’t want to scrimp on, whether you’re redesigning your bedroom or renovating your kitchen.
Some joiners will craft and install your interior designer’s or architect’s designs, while others will design, build and install the joinery themselves.
In the article below, Andrew Jhavery, founder and managing director of Ark Joinery, says it’s important for homeowners to assess the five Ps when searching for a joiner or cabinet maker: presence, proof, premises, people and professionalism.
“First align your project budget, complexity and level of expectations with the kind of company you should be on the lookout for. There’s no point in chasing champagne on a beer budget; if you want a check-in from your cabinet maker three times a day, you’ll probably find that level of service is going to cost a lot more,” he says.
For more tips and your need-to-know guide on all things joinery, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
How to find an architect
Contemplating a new build, big revamp or a whole-house reno? There are several different professionals you could choose to hire. The traditional route is to engage an architect to cover your design and council approvals, and a builder to undertake your construction.
Start by identifying architects whose style aligns with your own aesthetic preferences and try to articulate your design brief, too. Do you like a contemporary twist on traditional architecture or are you a modernist? Do you only want your kitchen, bathrooms and living area redesigned or will you be changing the entire layout of your home?
Your first step before contacting an architect should be to check that they are registered with the architectural registration board in their state – this is a mandatory requirement and guarantees they have professional indemnity insurance cover. Architects should also be equipped with a university bachelor degree, or higher.
Next, read testimonials from their previous clients online and try to view their work in person. Again, reviews on an unbiased forum such as Houzz can be vital to ascertaining what it’s like working with a professional or company.
For a full checklist and questions to ask, click into the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Architect
Contemplating a new build, big revamp or a whole-house reno? There are several different professionals you could choose to hire. The traditional route is to engage an architect to cover your design and council approvals, and a builder to undertake your construction.
Start by identifying architects whose style aligns with your own aesthetic preferences and try to articulate your design brief, too. Do you like a contemporary twist on traditional architecture or are you a modernist? Do you only want your kitchen, bathrooms and living area redesigned or will you be changing the entire layout of your home?
Your first step before contacting an architect should be to check that they are registered with the architectural registration board in their state – this is a mandatory requirement and guarantees they have professional indemnity insurance cover. Architects should also be equipped with a university bachelor degree, or higher.
Next, read testimonials from their previous clients online and try to view their work in person. Again, reviews on an unbiased forum such as Houzz can be vital to ascertaining what it’s like working with a professional or company.
For a full checklist and questions to ask, click into the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Architect
What are sustainable architects?
Great architects always keep sustainability top of mind and architectural best practice is evolving to encompass environmentally friendly, energy-efficient design principles. Architects and sustainable architects hold the same qualifications – the difference is in their approach.
Keen to go green and seen an architect whose work you like? Matt Day, architect and director of Day Bukh Architects, says to ask them for the following:
“These same questions would apply when interviewing any architect, but those with a passion and commitment to sustainable design will know the thermal performance and energy rating of a house they designed, what did or did not work well, and what could be done better in the future,” says Day.
For more information on finding a sustainably minded architect who ‘gets’ your vision, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Sustainable Architect
Great architects always keep sustainability top of mind and architectural best practice is evolving to encompass environmentally friendly, energy-efficient design principles. Architects and sustainable architects hold the same qualifications – the difference is in their approach.
Keen to go green and seen an architect whose work you like? Matt Day, architect and director of Day Bukh Architects, says to ask them for the following:
- “References from previous clients (you can read reviews of architects, designers and other building professionals on Houzz).
- “Energy rating details for the homes they’ve designed.
- “The reasoning behind the orientation and materials they chose for previous builds,” he says.
“These same questions would apply when interviewing any architect, but those with a passion and commitment to sustainable design will know the thermal performance and energy rating of a house they designed, what did or did not work well, and what could be done better in the future,” says Day.
For more information on finding a sustainably minded architect who ‘gets’ your vision, read the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Sustainable Architect
How to tell who’s a good builder
It’s likely you’ll rub shoulders with a builder on-site at some stage of your project. In the article below, Neil Turrell, director of Turrell Building, covers the two main types of builders and when to engage them:
And, as with all professions, do your due diligence – read reviews, look up builders’ license numbers online and be sure they are registered before signing any contracts.
For more information and a list of important questions to ask, check out the article below.
Renovation Insight: How Do I Choose a Builder?
It’s likely you’ll rub shoulders with a builder on-site at some stage of your project. In the article below, Neil Turrell, director of Turrell Building, covers the two main types of builders and when to engage them:
- “For builders who just build, it’s best to engage them once you have gathered together all the relevant material they need to cost the job, including final plans for what you want, engineering details for any structural works, and scope of works,” he says.
- “However, a designer-builder should be engaged before the start of the design process,” says Turrell.
And, as with all professions, do your due diligence – read reviews, look up builders’ license numbers online and be sure they are registered before signing any contracts.
For more information and a list of important questions to ask, check out the article below.
Renovation Insight: How Do I Choose a Builder?
How to find a good landscape architect
Keen to design a new planting scheme, change the layout of your outdoor space or maintain your garden? Gardeners are great for small projects and can drastically improve the overall health and appearance of your outdoor space. Formal qualifications are not required to become a gardener, though plenty possess a Certificate III in Horticulture or a Certificate IV in Permaculture.
If you have a bigger job in mind, especially one that involves council approval, hardscaping, irrigation, and structural elements such as retaining walls, you may need to hire a landscape architect or a landscape designer instead. The former typically has a university qualification, while the latter usually has a diploma from a technical college or TAFE.
In the article below, Steve Warner, a landscape designer and owner of Outhouse Design, offers some sage advise when finding the right professional for your outdoor space:
“If the first question your designer asks is ‘What’s your budget?’ you should be cautious,” he says. “A good designer is a designer who talks to you constantly about cost from day one, so you have all the information you need to make decisions.”
5 Steps to Finding the Right Landscape Designer for Your Home
Keen to design a new planting scheme, change the layout of your outdoor space or maintain your garden? Gardeners are great for small projects and can drastically improve the overall health and appearance of your outdoor space. Formal qualifications are not required to become a gardener, though plenty possess a Certificate III in Horticulture or a Certificate IV in Permaculture.
If you have a bigger job in mind, especially one that involves council approval, hardscaping, irrigation, and structural elements such as retaining walls, you may need to hire a landscape architect or a landscape designer instead. The former typically has a university qualification, while the latter usually has a diploma from a technical college or TAFE.
In the article below, Steve Warner, a landscape designer and owner of Outhouse Design, offers some sage advise when finding the right professional for your outdoor space:
“If the first question your designer asks is ‘What’s your budget?’ you should be cautious,” he says. “A good designer is a designer who talks to you constantly about cost from day one, so you have all the information you need to make decisions.”
5 Steps to Finding the Right Landscape Designer for Your Home
Your turn
How did you find the right professionals for your project? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
For more essential design, building and renovation guides, check out How to Work With Each Professional in Your Renovation Journey
How did you find the right professionals for your project? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
For more essential design, building and renovation guides, check out How to Work With Each Professional in Your Renovation Journey
If a revamp to your living area, dining room, bedroom or home office is on the cards, the scope of works will dictate which pros you need.
For small, straightforward projects, such as installing storage in your study or new wardrobes in the bedroom, you may choose to hire a storage designer or joiner (more on this trade below).
But for any larger projects, or ones that are part of a bigger home reno, you will need an interior designer or an architect. Each of these pros can project manage all aspects of a redesign or build, from your joinery and layout to flooring and electrics, and they will have invaluable industry contacts to call on for every aspect of the job.
Interior designers generally have a Diploma of Design from TAFE or college, or a bachelors degree from university. When chatting with potential interior designers (scroll down for more information on architects), ask about their phase-by-phase timeframes, design process, fee structure, the extent they will coordinate trades, and who in their team will be working on your project.
“It is critical to the success of any project that you find a designer you can relate to and trust, be it from a financial, aspirational or aesthetic perspective,” says Jean-Paul Ghougassian, interior designer and co-director at Ritz & Ghougassian, in the article below. “Projects can stop pretty quickly if these elements don’t align, which ends up costing time and money.”
For more information on finding the right interior designer for your project, check out the article below.
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Interior Designer