Per my other question, we’re putting in a new bathroom and I’m wondering if I need to hire a designer. There’s a bathroom in the unit below ours with a nearly identical footprint to what we want. Given that we already know what we want and have a model to work off of, is there a point to hiring a designer or even an architect?
Absolutely not. You don’t need either of these, especially if you already have a design in mind. A good General Contractor should be able to do whatever it is you want even if it is custom work,
There is no need to hire a designer if you know what you want. Designers are pretty expensive and I think that will be a waste of time and waste of money. If you get a contractor that understands the job and understands what you want you, he can achieve your goal easily. Let us know if we can be of any help or call for free estimate if you need it. 650-285-9659 Ask for Adam. Good luck.
In my opinion you should not need to hire a designer to design a bathroom remodel especially if the footprint is generally the same. There is more than enough support online for home remodeling ideas, bathroom ideas and DIY tutorials. Save the money for the project.
We find that clients like to take the DIY approach to Bathroom Designs, meaning they will send us a pinterest board with their inspiration and we will come back with a design for them. Contractor’s with experience can typically handle a basic bathroom design without hiring a designer. That’s how we do it, and it saves the client time and money!
Hiring a designer will alleviate a lot of pressure off of you, when it comes to color and material choices. Many will also work as project managers. There are, however, contractors that will lend you a great help in making your choices and managing your project, and some have an in-house design team member.
I think you shouldn’t hire if the layout is going to be the same as it will be easy to draw layout plan and any contractor can help you do that. Most contractors can give you their own input and I found that it’s enough.
If you want a project that is “designed” and that will add value to your home, with NO errors in terms of proper materials and usage, proper sealants, proper mortars and grouts, proper heights, ADA compliancy, etc… HIRE THAT DESIGNER.
So, I am a designer, or rather now I guess a remodeler. Over the years, I have hired so many contractors that just don’t have vision, I have also hired and worked with designers that don’t have construction knowledge. I believe you need to find the right professional that is in tune with what you need. Or you need both. a team of professionals does give you the best results. If you want a great looking bathroom, not many contractors can help with the tile layout and the ordering of materials so that you don’t have issues. Not many designers know the challenges behind installing the actual materials in the space. Many times you will need to put in the legwork to pick your materials and then rely on who is selling those to you to get the right parts. Its hard to say for you what is best. I’m glad I can do both… Hope this helps.
No, There is no need to hire a designer when you already know what you want to have done.
In your particular case, it sounds you know the exact layout and design, so a designer may be less useful. However, bringing in your own designer may give you new ideas and you may decide there is a different layout and design that will utilize the space even better than what you had in mind. You wouldn’t be the first homeowner to change their mind 
We hired a designer for our bathroom remodel and it was expensive but she did make several suggestions that we took. A little bit of a toss-up whether we would hire her again, but your new bathroom should theoretically last forever or at least 20 years, so you’ll be happy to have gotten it right (or as much is possible). @rosannarobin @mschooley
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Not necessarily. If you have a good idea of what you are looking for then it would be pointless. another option is to hire a design and build firm
Katie,
Designer is optional. Normally designer is for remodeling the whole house. But for the bathroom you do not need as long as you know the colors and the contractors will asist you with the layout of the tile, including the liner and the finishing of the tile trim.
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Katie: A good designer will design the bathroom fully from showing you plans, elevations, tile layouts etc. They will choose materials with you . In addition, they will specify the products used to install correctly such as mortar and grouts including other construction materials. Too often, a contractor will install with incorrect materials ( inexpensive mortar or grout for porcelain not glass tile) and the expensive marble you paid for will end up wth “picture framing” or other damage, not be sealed correctly and absorb all dirt and oils etc. You will end up with a half a-- design rather than an upscale look. Add value to your home- hire the Interior Designer ( not same as a decorator!). They can help you choose the correct contractor adn insure your design is executed correctly and fully.
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