How to Start a Home Design Business

Real estate is an incredibly lucrative industry, and if you’ve decided to make the jump into property, there are many areas of the business you could focus on. This means that there is also a huge variety of career choices available.

If you don’t want to be in the field as a construction worker, and you don’t like the idea of being stuck behind a desk as an estate agent, a happy medium could be home design. Having a home design business means getting out of the office to visit properties and clients but not getting yourself muddy.

Interiors or Exteriors?

If setting up a home design business sounds like something you want to do, you’ll first need to decide on exactly what service your company will provide.

There are two main categories of home design businesses, the first type being those that focus on interior design. These businesses create and implement designs for clients who are decorating the interior of a property. This usually includes changing the furnishings, lighting, paint/wallpaper, etc. of a space.

Alternatively, your business could address the overall design of a property, including its architecture and exterior design. This type of business helps clients build, restore or renovate properties. Projects for this kind of business will include everything from a building’s foundations to its roof.

Once you have decided which type of home design you would like to peruse, the next step in becoming an established home design business is building a few things (and we’re not just talking about houses).

Build Your Contacts

One of the most essential steps in setting up any home design business is establishing contacts. After all, a big part of your job will be hiring other businesses and contractors to help on your projects.

Therefore, having a list of trusted clients (as well as a repertoire with them) will be essential to your success. Before you even open shop, it would be a good idea to reach out to other local businesses in home design and construction such as The Home Design Group in Belfast. With average ratings of 4.9 out of 5 and FSB membership, they are a company to look up to.

Build a Portfolio

In order to attract top clients, you will need a portfolio brimming with excellent home design work. While this is likely unachievable at the start of your venture, you will still need to show prospective clients what you can do from the get-go.

Getting your first client will likely be your biggest challenge when starting your business as customers will have very little to go off when deciding whether they can trust you. This is why it is important to keep an open mind in the beginning with the kind of work you will accept, which might involve setting lower fees and taking less desirable work.

One idea for building your portfolio at the very start is checking in with friends and family who may be thinking of redesigning their homes. They may just take a leap of faith, allowing you to fill that first slot in your portfolio.

While it will take some dedication to build up your contacts and portfolio, having your own home design business is a varied, lucrative and exciting venture.