Featured on the Show:

• If you’d like to book a FREE 20-minute consultation with me, don’t forget to leave a rating and review, screenshot it and email me at renee@devignierdesign.com

• Renovation Management for Interior Designers – Expanding your business with a lucrative service

What you will learn in this episode: 

• Why vetting clients is a critical step that all designers should be taking

• Why homeowners will understand and appreciate you saying “No.”

• Elements to consider while on a vetting phone call that allows your businesses to continue to move forward, matching your goals.

Vetting potential clients is a critical step that all designers should be taking. 

And for homeowners, you should want to be vetted by a designer that you reach out to because that is the first step of a professional working relationship. 

And part of that process is finding out if you are a good fit for each other. Homeowners, do not be offended if a designer determines your project is not a good fit for them! It is not personal, it is a business decision. A renovation project is extremely invasive and extremely overwhelming at times. It’s exhausting, and more importantly, it’s expensive. 

As well as, homeowners may decide that a designer is not right for them for whatever reason. Remember, this can be a mutual decision made by either side. 

In today’s episode, I want to discuss the designers’ vetting process and what elements they need to consider when they’re going through this process so that their businesses continue to move forward, matching the goals that they have set.

Everybody needs goals. 

We are in the fourth quarter of 2022. What do you want 2023 to look like? That is going to be personal and individual for each of you. 

But with that being said, I want you to stretch yourself. 

You have resources now. 

I want you to be investing time and energy into renovation management. It truly is a game-changer for design firms to become a one-stop shop for their clients as well as add a lucrative and predictable income stream to their firm. 

Maybe your goal can be to take on two renovation projects next year. Maybe you are booked up until mid-next year.

Once you have your goals and are prepared, then you are getting on vetting calls.

Now, if you have big potential projects new clients are telling you about, you may start to feel the panic rising. If a project is out of your comfort zone, let the homeowner know. Then, let them decide if they’d still like to work with you. I have seen far too often designers round the edges of what they’ve done, and mistake after mistake comes up that they have to pay for. 

Another reason I see designers turn down work is fear of the unknown. For designers that have traditionally done decorating and have never or rarely taken on a renovation project for a client, I get it. It’s ok to be fearful, but don’t let it be the driving force. 

These vetting calls are critical not just to see if you like the person but also to get the right balance of projects for your 2023 goals that you have set up for yourself so you will have a successful and productive year that isn’t filled with stress, overwhelm and anxiety which can only lead to poor outcomes and costly mistakes. 

Like this Episode?

• Be sure to check out Episode #92: How Saying No to New Client Inquires Will Ensure a Productive End of Year

• Don’t miss an episode, listen on Spotify, and follow via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS.

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.