How to Find and Vet the Perfect Contractor for Your Interior Design Projects
In the world of interior design, finding a good contractor can feel like striking gold—rare, valuable, and transformative for your projects. But the truth is, excellent contractors are hard to find. With the right approach, though, you can discover skilled professionals who align with your design process and business needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to vetting and interviewing contractors to ensure they’re the perfect fit.
1. Start by Creating a List of Local Contractors
Your first step is to build a list of potential contractors in your area. Here’s where to look:
- Google searches: A simple search can reveal local contractors who have established an online presence.
- Local community Facebook groups: These groups often have recommendations from homeowners who have already worked with contractors.
- Instagram: Contractors often showcase their work here, giving you insight into their style and quality.
- Recommendations from other designers or friends/family: Personal referrals can be invaluable, especially if the person recommending has high standards.
Once you have your list, begin narrowing it down by researching each contractor in depth.
2. Do a Deep Dive into Their Online Presence
Now that you have your list, it’s time to explore each contractor’s online footprint. Contractors who actively market themselves through websites and social media are generally more committed to their craft. Look for these key indicators:
- “Insured” and “Licensed”: These terms indicate the contractor operates legally and safely, which is non-negotiable.
- Their process: Does the contractor have a clear step-by-step outline of how they work with clients? A well-structured process speaks to professionalism and experience.
While browsing their online portfolios, pay close attention to the quality of their work:
- Are the lines straight?
- Does the grout line up evenly?
- Does the finish look polished?
Your trained designer’s eye will quickly pick up on these details. Keep in mind, though, that contractors often use finishes provided by the homeowners, so don’t judge them too harshly on product choices alone.
Pro Tip: Organize your list of contractors by preference based on your findings. As you move through the vetting process, you’ll naturally narrow down your list.
3. Send Introductory Emails to Your Top Choices
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to 2-4 top contractors, it’s time to reach out. Send a brief, professional introductory email that explains:
- Who you are and your design business.
- That you’re looking for skilled contractors to collaborate with on future projects.
- An invitation to connect and explore whether a partnership could work.
Keep the email concise but clear, and focus on starting a conversation.
4. Schedule a 30-Minute Discovery Call
If the contractor responds positively, set up a 30-minute call to discuss high-level details. During this conversation, share your process for working with contractors, from the onboarding phase to the end of the project. It’s crucial to establish early on how both you and the contractor operate.
Key questions to ask:
- Do they charge a consultation fee?
- Do they have preferred vendors?
- Do they have experience with custom builds or complex projects?
This is a chance to gauge their communication style, professionalism, and whether your working styles will mesh.
5. Take It a Step Further with a Meeting or Lunch
If the call goes well and you think the contractor could be a good fit, arrange an in-person meeting or lunch to dive deeper into their process. This step is essential for building rapport and ensuring both parties are comfortable with the working relationship.
Pro Tip: Use this time to position yourself as a key player in the contractor-client relationship. You can say something like, “It’s my responsibility to tee you up to the clients so they know you, like you, and trust you before you even enter their home. I’d love to understand how you work so I can better support you.” This builds mutual respect and lays the groundwork for a successful partnership
6. Understand How You Want to Work with Contractors
Finally, it’s important to know exactly how you prefer to collaborate with contractors. For example, as an interior designer, I’m typically the first person hired by my clients. This means I need contractors who can adapt to my process, not the other way around. If I work with contractors who force me to change my established workflow, it’ll hurt both my efficiency and my business.
By the time I completed this process, I had interviewed and vetted a solid list of 12 contractors, narrowing it down to my top two choices. These contractors proved to be the best fit for my projects, based on both their skills and their ability to align with my business needs
