The Players

The following is a brief overview of the people who may be involved in your project, along with an explanation of their roles, responsibilties and how they charge for their services.

Architects

Architects, who deal with the design of buildings and structures, have a four year degree in architecture, and they need to have passed a state licensing test to be considered a ‘professional’ member of the AIA. They're essential when doing new construction and remodeling that affects structural components of your home or building, like exterior walls, roof and foundation.

Architects are trained to take into account the big picture, like the surrounding community and environmental impacts. Architects have little education in interior design (usually one class), altough it's common for an architectural firm to have an ‘in-house’ interior designer. Often architects will work as a team with other professionals, like structural engineers, designers, etc. Their fee is usually a percentage of the total construction cost.

Building Designers

Building designers, who also design buildings and structures, generally have limited professional education and have not passed the state architecture test. They will help you through the permit process and bring the plans to a structural engineer for their approval and stamp. Building designers charge by the square foot for finished (i.e., living room) or unfinished (i.e., garage) spaces.

Certified Lighting Consultants

These are lighting designers who have passed the test given by the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America), and they usually have had professional education. There is no specific licensing in Washington State for them. Lighting designers generally charge an hourly fee.

General Contractors

Your General Contractor (GC) may be your closest companion during your remodel, staying in contact with you on a regular, periodic basis -- even daily. General contractors hold a state license and are bonded. In Washington State there are is no way to establish the knowledge and/or ability of GCs (for example, in Florida, GC's are required to have a four year degree in Construction Management and pass a qualification test).

Hire a GC for medium to large remodels requiring several different subcontractors (i.e., plumbers, electrical). If you decide to hire a contractor with an ‘in-house’ designer, make sure to review their portfolio and qualifications thoroughly (see the definitions below to understand the difference between decorator and designer).

General contractors may charge by the project (estimated and paid in phases) or may work on a time and materials basis. They usually obtain the quotations from their subcontractors and add a 20% markup to cover their expertise, coordination and liability.

Specialty Contractors

Specialty Contractors are licensed to perform specific functions, i.e., carpet installation, and usually bid by the project.

Developers

A developer is a combination of general contractor and owner/investor. They purchase land and ‘develop’ the land for future sale to end users. You may have purchased your building from a developer or may be considering a future purchase from a developer. Developers generally have ‘in-house’ decorators, designers and architects that have designed the structures and pre-selected color and finish combinations that they feel would be the most popular for the general public. Developers may or may not have professional education. Developers charge the sale price of the finished product.

Decorators

Decorators specialize in selecting and arranging home accessories, furniture and limited color. They usually do not have any professional education in this area. Decorators usually work on an hourly basis.

Interior Designers

Interior Designers are the only professionals trained specifically to design healthy, safe interiors and to select interior products and installations. They're also trained to take into account the client’s best wishes, needs and safety requirements as a priority in the design process. They have professional education from an accredited college or vocational program. However, Washington State doesn't license interior designers, nor does it require a qualification test. Interior designers wishing to attain professional status within their professional organizations take the NCIDQ test, which is also used as a qualifying test for states that license interior designers. Interior designers often bring other team members into the project as needed, such as architects, structural engineers and contractors. Interior designers usually charge on an hourly basis.

LEED

LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements, resources, and processes. LEED accredited professionals can be Interior Designers, Architects, Engineers, Contractors, etc. All professions take the same qualifying test.

Structural Engineers

Structural Engineers are consultants that specialize in the structure of buildings. They have a professional four year degree and have passed the State licensing test for structural engineers. Structural engineers generally charge by the hour.

Universal Design Consultants

Universal Design Consultants simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more efficient and usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Eventually, universal design principles will become the standard for all future design and construction. Certified aging in place specialists (CAPS) have demonstrated knowledge on universal design principals and have passed a qualifying test administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Universal design consultants generally charge by the hour.