Besides getting recommendations from friends, peers, and relatives, you need to read up articles online and attend local design exhibitions to help you choose a suitable interior designer.

It’s important to find a firm that you can easily collaborate with to bring your vision to life. That said, you should collect several interior design company names and narrow down your search through these steps:

• Check their HDB licensing

The first step, and perhaps the most important, is to thoroughly check your potential firm’s credentials. All design companies doing renovation Singapore-wide are required to be HDB licensed.

An HDB complex has a set of guidelines that must be followed. Design companies registered with HDB are aware of the building’s requirements and can carry out their work while keeping the structural integrity of the building intact.

• Know the design firm’s expertise

Every interior designer in Singapore has a unique style and set of expertise. For example, some are well-versed in the minimalist or Japanese aesthetic, while others follow a more industrial and eclectic approach. There are also designers that are versatile and flexible who can cater to your style.

Design firms are also quite particular with the space they’re working with. Some firms prefer residential spaces, while others are dedicated solely to retail. To make the right decision, you need to have a better grasp of your prospective firm’s experience.

• Set the budget

If they have the proper licenses and fit your style perfectly, the next step is to set the budget. The firm should be able to offer alternative payment schemes to cater to your financial capability. They should give you a comprehensive line item billing statement and offer an installment plan.

• Create a timeline

The final step before the design is proper is creating the timeline. This will give you a better idea of how competent and efficient a design firm is.