Frequently Asked Interior Design Questions

It is important to first envision what your dream home looks like. Even if there are a few missing pieces to your vision, it is important to have a baseline for your designers to go off of. Then, estimate what you would like your budget to stay under, as well as the timeline you are looking to have the project completed by. All of these steps should be completed before the design takes place. Then, contact us to begin!

YES! Hamilton Rae is proud to offer virtual interior design. Even if you are not in Middle Tennessee, you will work with a designated design team to ensure your project is completely exactly the way you want it.

The cost of interior design services varies case by case. At Hamilton Rae, we are upfront when it comes to our pricing. Once you fill out our contact form, we will automatically send you our welcome guide, which details more about the project as well as the costs that you can expect.

When you work with Hamilton Rae, we treat you like family. We will keep you as involved with the process as you would like to be! You are leading the way during this time.

The experts in Hamilton Rae have over 25 years of industry experience working in Middle Tennessee. Along the way, we have made many connections with local contractors and builders. During the design process, if we feel you need more work than we can offer, we can recommend local general contractors in your area to assist during this time. Please note, you will work with the general contractor or builder individually when it comes to a timeline and pricing.

In short: no. It's safer and much more efficient for us to complete the installation phase without you present. I know it can be difficult to stay away, but the big reveal moment will be worth it for everyone involved!

We work diligently to handpick vendors and sources and have spent years cultivating relationships with them. We invest immense time and resources visiting trade shows each year, scouring vendor displays for their newest products. We have the opportunity to touch and feel these pieces. We have incredibly high standards for quality and style. Custom pieces cannot be returned, but we don't think that will be a concern once you get your hands on them.

We present one concept for each room, designed in its entirety so that you are able to see the full, cohesive picture. We do offer a round of

revisions and we'd be happy to source additional options for furnishings at our hourly rate if that's of interest.

Although we would love to be present every day at every job, we aren't always able to. Your designer will be present for the final walk-through, installation day for furniture, and the beginning of photography day. 

If you are reusing items or selecting items yourself, such as appliances; we need those specifications. For appliances, we have an appliance form that we require to be filled out and submitted before ordering cabinets. A clear idea of the goals you desire to achieve with the new space. Either a budget or willingness to discuss creating a budget with us. If you don't know how much a kitchen will cost, let's talk about it! Ultimately, we want you happy and, with the kitchen you desire and that

is different for everyone.

Many of the furnishings and products we order come from trade vendors. These manufacturers that sell exclusively to designers. This means more

selection for you and a variety of unique products not available directly to consumers. Beyond the selection of furnishings, designers also get exclusive pricing from these vendors and they are able to pass these discounts on to their clients.

These vendors only ship via freight line carriers, which only deliver to receiving warehouses, because they need a loading dock for their large

semi trucks. Receiving warehouses are important to the process and act as quality control as well.

We love repeat clients! We can draw up a new proposal and contract to take on any additional areas you would like for us to work in.

This is another benefit of a receiving warehouse! The furnishings we order will go there first, where they will be carefully inspected. Anything not up to par will be sent back before it ever reaches your home. Any damages made after furnishings are delivered to the house will then become the client's responsibility.

-Remove all personal items from the space. If we are replacing cabinetry or countertops, all items must be removed from the existing cabinets.

-Remove all expensive and sentimental items from the home. We ask that you take these items with you or to storage for safe keeping. If you are moving upstairs or to a different part of the home, we ask that those items go with you and are kept under lock and key.

-We will tell you the paths to clear of all breakables before construction begins.

-Allow for a lock box to be placed on the home for tradesmen to enter or give us a code created for our use that can be disabled after work completion.

-Give our information to your alarm company and tell them we will be entering the property Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm.

-Tell your neighbors to expect heavier traffic and strange faces! We will place a sign in your yard so they can call the number on the sign with any

issues.

-Check with your HOA/Architectural Committee for rules pertaining to parking and dumpster location approval.

-Designate a bathroom for tradesmen use. Please have toilet paper, paper towels, trash with removable bag, and hand soap in that space.

-Remember, remodels are stressful and that we are on the same team!