Renovation Contractor vs Interior Designer: Are they one and the same?
If you’re considering hiring a professional to help you with your next home renovation, you’ve probably come across two different types of professionals: renovation contractors and interior designers.
The first question many homeowners ask is “What’s the difference between a contractor and an interior designer?” The answer is simple: They both do similar things, but they do them differently.
A home renovation contractor in Singapore typically works to implement the design ideas you have for your home. Contractors are hired by homeowners who want to make changes to their existing homes, such as a kitchen remodeling or bathroom renovation. They can also be hired for exterior work such as painting, bricklaying and tile laying.
On the other hand, an interior designer is basically like an architect for interiors — they are responsible for designing a space from scratch and ensuring that it meets your needs and tastes. Interior designers also offer advice on furniture placement, flooring materials and other important aspects of decorating a room.
The key difference between a contractor and an interior designer is that the former implements your design ideas, while the latter offers them. In short, a home renovation contractor in Singapore typically works to implement the design ideas you have for your home, while an interior designer offers you some of the best designs to choose from.
Both are qualified to complete a home renovation project, but there are some key differences between them which we will highlight below.
Renovation Contractors Vs Interior Designers: The Key Differences
To start with, let's look at the key differences between these two professionals:
1. Their Skillset
Contractors and interior designers have different skill sets and specialisations. Contractors focus on construction work such as laying bricks, installing electrical wiring, etc., while interior designers focus on decorating and furnishing a space with stylish furniture, lighting fixtures, tiles etc. This means that each of these professionals is best suited for different tasks involved in homebuilding or renovation.
2. Their Scope of Work
A contractor is responsible for all aspects of your home renovation project, including repairs and maintenance as well as new construction. A contractor will do most of the work themselves by hiring sub-contractors or helpers to complete the job more efficiently.
An interior designer's scope of work is much narrower since they only offer advice regarding renovation projects; they do not actually perform any construction work themselves. They will provide you with sketches and models of what your dream home would look like before it was built but once construction begins; they leave all work up to contractors or other professionals hired by homeowners.
3. Their Qualifications
A contractor needs to pass an exam administered by the Singapore Contractors Registration Board (SCRB), which tests their knowledge of building regulations and safety requirements in Singapore. The SCRB also requires contractors to have at least five years’ experience before they can register with it as well as obtain a license from SCRB itself if they wish to operate independently.
Interior designers, on the other hand, have completed a course in interior design at a tertiary institution. They are responsible for designing and planning layouts for homes or businesses. They may also work with architects and builders on large-scale projects like house renovations or new buildings.
4. Cost
Contractors are typically cheaper than interior designers when it comes to the cost of a project. They can save you money by using their own materials and by doing the work themselves instead of hiring subcontractors.
Interior designers usually work with other professionals like plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. They will often charge a flat fee for their services, which includes all the materials needed for your project. They may also charge more if they think that your project is worth it, while contractors will charge you whatever amount they think will cover their expenses plus give them a profit margin.
How to Decide if You Need an Interior Designer or Contractor?
There are a few things you need to identify to help you decide which professional to hire:
What do you want to be done in your home?
The first step is to figure out what exactly you want to be done in your home. If it’s just one room that needs some work done on it, then hiring an interior designer may be overkill. You could also consider doing it yourself or hiring someone local who specializes in smaller projects like painting or carpentry work (like our friends at Ridzreno).
What is your Budget?
Deciding on your budget is important before hiring any professional for your project. The amount will determine whether you should get an interior designer or a contractor. An interior designer would charge more than a contractor because he has to do more than just construction work. Clarifying your budget will definitely help you decide between the two.
Are you sure about the changes, or do you want the option to make corrections?
You need to ask yourself whether you know exactly what kind of changes you want for your house, or if you would like some flexibility in case things go wrong during the project. If you don’t know what kind of changes you want, then it makes more sense to hire a contractor because he will be able to handle any problems that arise during the project. However, if you already know what kind of changes you want then it makes more sense to hire an interior designer because he can take care of all your needs right from start to finish.
Ridzreno is here to help!
As an HDB-certified Renovation Contractor, Ridzreno has a team of dedicated and experienced specialists with a commitment to providing you with a friendly experience for your home renovation. We are focused on working with you to create the home that you envisioned with your family.
We value honesty and clarity in our communications as well as quality in our workmanship. Rest assured that the renovation process will be done to the best of our ability and you will be kept updated on the progress.
Connect with us to arrange a no-obligation meeting with our experienced contractor at your house so we can do a more accurate assessment and provide you with a quote with no hidden costs.