Interior Design in Manchester, NH: Plan and Hire

Choose the help your room needs

Write down the problem before collecting inspiration images. You might need seating that leaves a clear route through the living room, storage near the entrance, or a kitchen layout that accommodates two people cooking. Tell the designer what you want to keep, who uses the space and which decisions you want help making.

For a furnishings project, request a measured layout, product specifications and a shopping list with dimensions. If you want the designer to order goods, add purchasing and delivery responsibilities to the agreement. For renovation work, ask who prepares drawings, checks existing conditions and coordinates the contractor. Request examples of comparable work and explain the parts of those projects you want to discuss.

Compare fees and purchasing terms

Request written proposals for your room and scope. Compare design fees, purchasing terms, construction costs and permit allowances separately. Ask each candidate to identify furniture and materials, delivery and installation charges so you can compare the total planned spending.

For an hourly proposal, request an estimate of hours and a spending limit that requires your approval to exceed. For a fixed fee, list the included drawings, meetings and revision rounds. Ask about additional charges for site visits, substitutions and changes after approval.

Before authorizing purchases, ask how the designer handles trade discounts, markups, payment, returns and damaged deliveries. Agree on who approves substitutions and who tracks refunds. Have the designer confirm access measurements before you approve large furniture: include door openings, stair turns and the route from the delivery vehicle.

Check older surfaces before choosing finishes

Manchester's Health Department identifies older housing, lead paint, moisture and poor ventilation as local home-health concerns. It advises residents to report leaks and use safe renovation practices in older homes. Ask the designer to account for condition assessment and repairs before you approve wallpaper, cabinetry or other finishes over affected areas. [2]

EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule generally requires certification for firms paid to disturb paint in pre-1978 housing, subject to listed exceptions. Covered activities include painting preparation, carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. Ask the firm performing that work to explain the applicable requirements and provide its certification information. [3]

EPA does not require paint testing under this rule. Unless qualifying documentation establishes that the affected paint is not lead-based, the rule's requirements apply to covered work. If you choose testing, arrange it through an appropriately qualified professional before setting the preparation scope and schedule. [3]

Assign renovation responsibilities before work starts

Give the city's Planning and Community Development Department a description of your proposed changes and ask which applications your project needs. Manchester provides building-permit applications online. Its posted electrical and plumbing instructions require printed, signed applications submitted by mail with fees, and direct applicants to wait for an approved permit before starting that work. [1]

Ask the designer and contractor to identify who submits applications, responds to city questions and schedules required inspections. Put these responsibilities in the agreement. Tie purchasing approvals to confirmed dimensions and construction decisions so you can resolve layout changes before ordering fitted items.

Make lighting selections specific

ENERGY STAR describes bulb brightness in lumens and distinguishes that output from electrical wattage. Its national replacement reference pairs a traditional 40-watt incandescent bulb with at least 450 lumens, a 60-watt bulb with 800 lumens and a 75-watt bulb with 1,100 lumens. [5]

Use those comparisons to tell the designer which existing lamps feel too dim or too bright. Ask for a lighting schedule that identifies bulb output, color appearance, fixture dimensions and dimmer compatibility. Review samples in the room before approving a whole-room purchase, and assign any proposed wiring changes to the permit discussion.

Replacement-bulb brightness reference

Match the agreement to your project

Your hiring checklist

1. Describe the room's main problem, daily users and items you want to keep.
2. Photograph the room and gather existing plans; assign responsibility for checking dimensions.
3. Set separate spending limits for design, purchases and construction.
4. Request written deliverables, revision limits and approval milestones.
5. Agree on purchasing markups, substitutions, returns and delivery handling.
6. Ask who assesses existing surfaces and handles any lead-safe preparation.
7. Assign permit applications and trade coordination before approving renovation work.
8. Approve final dimensions and specifications before authorizing orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a designer?

Request written proposals for your room and scope. Compare design fees, purchasing terms, construction costs and permit allowances separately. Give each candidate the same list of deliverables and ask how you will approve additional spending.

Does hiring a designer cover renovation permits?

Assign permit responsibility in writing and confirm the project requirements with the city. Manchester's electrical and plumbing instructions say applicants must receive an approved permit before starting the respective work. [1]

Do I need lead testing before redesigning an older room?

EPA does not require testing under its renovation rule. For covered work, requirements apply unless qualifying documentation establishes that affected paint is not lead-based. Ask the renovation firm to explain coverage and any applicable exception before preparation begins. [3]

What should I bring to the first design meeting?

Bring room photos, any existing plans, your spending limits and a list of furniture you want to keep. Explain the daily activities the room needs to accommodate and who will approve purchases.