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your House
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Where
will I find an interior designer?
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Anybody
and everybody is a designer today. With no government license
required to practice, individuals are free to masquerade
as designers. In India, a designer might hold a three-year
diploma or may have completed a part-time course through
a polytechnic.
An affiliation to the Indian
Institute of Interior Designers (IIID) is one way of ensuring
some professional responsibility of the designer concerned.
Designers who are members of the IIID are obliged to follow
the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct laid down by
the body.
Question the designer as
to his experience, the name of the institute from where
he passed out and the type of projects he has handled.
For major works involving
demolishing of internal walls it's advisable to consult
Individuals with a five-year degree in architecture. Since
professional credentials are not easily verifiable, If you
like the way a friend's house was done up, ask him for a
reference.
Ask the designer for references
and make a trip to the homes of previous clients. Preferably
visit an ex-client who had done a job of a similar size
as yours. Ask what existed before and how it was changed.
The problems they had, if any. How open was he to suggestions.
How well did he stick to budget. Was he accessible, punctual,
prompt with the deadlines. If the end result looks mediocre,
take the hint.
Give him an idea of what
you would like done and then request him to give a ballpark
figure for a quote. Get quotes from a couple of them and
look into the reasons for the discrepancy.
Look for honesty, clarity
of thought and a professional attitude. Some designers might
not value your interaction and involvement in the process
while others are able to implement ideas effectively.
Give him an idea of what
you would like done and then request him to give a ballpark
figure for a quote. Get quotes from a couple of them and
look into the reasons for the discrepancy.
Ask him from where he plans
to get his materials and if he can produce bills for each
and every payment made.
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| Looking
for something offbeat? |
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Design
firms with signature styles may not be suitable. A big name
might not be apt for someone with conservative tastes.
Don't make a decision based on photographs and 3-D images.
Lighting, a bunch of flowers and slight shuffling of the
furniture can make the appearance deceptively glamorous,
which could be a far cry from reality.
A willingness
to experiment with innovative ideas is also something to
look out for. A designer relying too heavily on formulas
may be unable to provide dynamic solutions. Then again,
if you know exactly what you want, go with the designer
who can implement your ideas speedily.
Once
you shortlist a designer, you can request him to draw up
a blueprint, which he may do for a fee. That should help
you make your final decision.
Most
importantly, you must be very comfortable with your designer.
His task is more than just selecting and arranging furniture,
fabric and accessories. His aim is to let your home reflect
your personality and speak about the person you are or aspire
to be. The only way you can achieve this is to work closely
with your designer and ensure that he understands your requirements
clearly to provide the best solution. |
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| Have
you taken other factors into account? |
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If
it is an apartment, you will have to check out the building
too. Is parking available? Is it open or covered? Is there
any security provided by the society? Is security provided
round the clock? Is the building well maintained? Does it
have a garden? Are you on the lookout for a housing complex
that also has a pool and a gymnasium? Is the monthly maintenance
affordable? What about water supply? Is it 24 hours? Are
there proper arrangements for servicemen like plumbers,
electricians?
Are there many power cuts
in the neighbourhood? What is the distance from your home
to the market? Are you comfortable with it? Are you children's
schools nearby? What about a hospital or nursing home? What
is the distance from the main road? Would you prefer it
as far away from the main road as possible. Is public transport
easily available? Is there a club nearby? Is there a bank
branch in the vicinity or at least an automated teller machine
(ATM)? Are you happy with the greenery? How far away is
it from your workplace?
Disclaimer
: The purpose of this FAQ is to provide the visitors a general
understanding on the various issues relating to House Property.
The above FAQ been prepared on the basis of advice received
and may vary from person to person, based on facts of such
case. Reasonable efforts have been taken in collecting,
preparing and providing quality information, but we do not
warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy
or currency of the information. The contents of the FAQ
are subject to changes / amendments made by the CBDT / Finance
Ministry.
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