Why You Can't Afford Not to Hire a Designer Before Your Remodel By Anna Landolac, ASID, AFDP

Landolac Designs
May 18
2 min read

At Landolac Designs, we believe that good design isn't just about making a space beautiful—it's about making it work. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, updating a bathroom, or transforming your entire home, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting too long to bring in a professional designer. If you're planning to rely solely on your contractor or builder to "figure it out," you're setting yourself up for costly mistakes, delays, and design regrets.

Here’s the truth: you can’t afford not to hire a designer before your remodel begins.

1. Designers Save You Money by Getting It Right the First Time

Contrary to popular belief, hiring a designer isn't a luxury—it's a smart investment. A professional interior designer creates a clear vision, selects finishes and furnishings that work together seamlessly, and ensures your space meets both your lifestyle and aesthetic goals. Without a well-thought-out design plan, you risk expensive change orders, incompatible materials, and underwhelming results.

We've seen it time and time again—homeowners selecting tile, cabinetry, lighting, and paint colors in a rush, only to discover (after installation) that nothing quite works together. Fixing those mistakes costs far more than hiring a designer from the beginning.

2. Designers Save You Time and Headaches

Remodeling is complex. Between permits, measurements, materials, and timelines, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Designers serve as both creative partners and project strategists—we streamline decision-making, anticipate challenges, and keep your remodel moving forward with clarity and efficiency.

By guiding the process early on, we help avoid delays and last-minute decisions that can stall construction and cause unnecessary stress.

3. Your Builder is Not Your Designer

Builders and contractors are essential to executing the construction—but their job is to build, not to design. While some may offer opinions on layout or finishes, they aren’t trained in space planning, color theory, lighting balance, or how your home should feel and function in daily life.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t ask your surgeon to draw up your physical therapy plan. You need the right expert for the right phase of the process. Designers and contractors should collaborate—but their roles are not interchangeable.

4. A Designer Protects Your Vision (and Your Budget)

From material selections to final styling, a designer ensures your investment reflects you. We also help prioritize where to spend and where to save, keeping your budget aligned with your goals. A clear, cohesive design plan prevents scope creep and aligns all vendors and trades with the same vision—your vision.

The Bottom Line? Don’t let your remodeling project become a series of expensive missteps. At Landolac Designs, we’re here to help you avoid the overwhelm, save money, and create a home that’s as functional as it is beautiful—right from the start.

Let’s design it once. Let’s design it right.

Warmly,

Anna Landolac, ASID, AFDP Founder & Principal Designer