Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer in Peterborough
Hiring an interior designer is a significant decision. You are inviting someone into your home, trusting their judgment with your space, and committing a meaningful portion of your renovation budget to their fees. Getting that relationship right matters.
The Peterborough area has a range of designers operating across different specialties, service models, and fee structures. What works for one project will not necessarily work for another. These five questions help you figure out whether the person you are considering is the right fit for the work you are trying to do.
1. What types of projects do you take on?
Interior design spans a wide range of work: full renovations, new builds, single-room updates, staging, commercial spaces, and everything in between. A designer who specializes in full residential renovations approaches a project differently than one who focuses on decorating and soft furnishings.
Before you hire, understand where the designer's experience is concentrated. If you are planning a full kitchen renovation with custom cabinetry, a designer with a background in that kind of work will serve you better than one who primarily handles furnishing and accessory sourcing.
At Wellington House, the focus is on full renovations, new builds, and custom cabinetry design. That is where Beverly's decade of experience lives, and it is the work the studio is built around.
2. How does your fee structure work?
Fee structures in interior design vary considerably. Some designers charge a flat fee by phase. Some charge hourly for design work and mark up the materials they source. Some charge a percentage of the project budget.
There is no universally right model, but there should be clarity. Ask what you will be billed for, how hours are tracked, and what happens if the scope changes. Understanding this upfront avoids confusion later.
Wellington House uses flat fees for earlier project phases (discovery and concept) and hourly billing for design development and project management. Beverly and Gillian Fox, our design associate, share an hourly rate for billable work.
3. What does your process look like from start to finish?
A well-run design process has a clear structure. Discovery, concept development, design development, procurement, and construction oversight each serve a specific function. If a designer cannot clearly describe what happens at each stage and what you will receive, that is worth paying attention to.
Ask specifically: when do I see the first design concepts? When are decisions locked? What happens during construction? Who is my point of contact for day-to-day questions?
At Wellington House, the process runs: Discovery Call, Design Consultation, Design Development, and Build & Reveal. Each phase has clear deliverables and defined roles for the client, the designer, and the contractor.
4. Who will I actually be working with?
At larger studios, clients sometimes meet a senior designer and then work with a junior team member for the day-to-day. That is not inherently a problem, but it is worth understanding.
Ask who attends site visits, who reviews material selections, and who you will reach when you have a question during construction. Clarity here prevents the experience of feeling like you have been handed off.
At Wellington House, Beverly leads every project. Gillian Fox supports on sourcing, client communication, and documentation. For clients, this means the person who designed your space is the person who remains involved through the build.
5. Can I see examples of completed projects similar to mine?
Portfolio work tells you what a designer has actually built, not just what they can sell in a consult. Look for completed projects that are similar to yours in scope, style, and budget range.
Ask: have you worked on projects of this size before? Do you have experience with the trades and suppliers this project will require? Can I speak with a previous client?
At Wellington House, our portfolio reflects residential renovation work in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County area, including the Wall residence in Millbrook and a range of kitchen and cabinetry projects across the region.
A Good Fit Matters
The best interior design relationships are ones where the client trusts the designer's judgment and the designer understands what the client is trying to accomplish. The consultation process is how both parties figure that out.
If you are considering a renovation in Peterborough or the surrounding area and want to have that conversation, a discovery call with Wellington House is the place to start.