When to DIY vs. When to Hire a Pro: Choosing the Right Design Package
Do I need a professional designer, or can I handle some of this myself? It’s one of the first questions almost every client asks us.
The honest answer depends on how hands-on you want to be, how much time you have, and how far you want the design to go. To make that decision easier, we offer two ways to work with us. In this post, we’ll break down both, so you can see which one fits your project before you even book a consultation.
Our Design Process, Step by Step
Every project moves through the same core stages:
Project Kick Off, where we review the scope of work and the architecture of your space.
Conceptual Design, the creative foundation that captures the style, colors, and feeling you want.
Design Development, where ideas become an executable plan through floor layouts, furniture boards, and 3D visuals.
Renderings & Drawings, detailed, buildable drawings ready for construction.
Sourcing & Procurement, where we purchase the materials, furniture, and art, often through trade pricing you can’t access on your own.
The two packages we offer simply draw the line at a different point in this process.
Full Interior Design Services
This is our complete, hands-on experience. Our design team leads the way from start to finish, working closely with you, your architect, and your contractors, from the first concept all the way through final sourcing and construction.
What’s included:
Project Kickoff
Concept Design
Design Development
Renderings & Drawings
Sourcing
With Full Services, you get a finished, executable plan complete with construction-ready drawings, and we source every material, furniture piece, and finish for you. We stay involved through construction too, coordinating with your contractor so the design gets built the way it was planned.
This package is a good fit if you:
Want a fully finished space, without hunting down furniture, fixtures, and finishes yourself
Are working with a contractor or planning a larger renovation
Would rather see a rendering than imagine how a room will look
Want one team managing the details from concept to construction
Have a busy schedule and prefer to hand off the process
Basic Service Package
This package is built for clients with a DIY spirit who want expert direction, not a fully managed project. You’ll get professional guidance on layout, color, and cohesive design ideas, then take it from there yourself.
What’s included:
Project Kickoff
Concept Design
Design Development
With Basic Service, we help you build a strong design direction. That includes a floor plan that works, furniture boards that set the style, and a color palette that ties the whole space together. What you won’t get is construction-ready drawings or hands-on sourcing, since those are the steps we leave to you.
This package is a good fit if you:
Enjoy shopping for furniture, fixtures, and finishes yourself
Have a smaller project that doesn’t need construction drawings
Want expert guidance on layout and color, without full-service coordination
Have time to handle the details of putting the room together
Are comfortable making the final calls on what to buy and where
A Simple Way to Decide
If you’re not sure which one fits, ask yourself a few questions:
Do you want to see the finished space before it’s built? That points to Full Services.
Do you enjoy sourcing furniture and finishing yourself? That points to Basic.
Is your project part of a larger renovation with contractors involved? That points to Full Services.
Do you just want a clear plan and color direction to run with? That points to Basic.
There’s no wrong answer. It’s about matching the level of support to your project and your style of working. Some clients start with the Basic Service Package and later realize they’d rather hand off the sourcing and construction details. That’s an easy conversation to have, and we can build on the design direction we’ve already created together, rather than starting over.
The Bottom Line
Whether you want a fully managed project or a strong design direction to run with yourself, we have a package built for it. Full Interior Design Services carries your project from concept to construction, while the Basic Service Package gives you expert guidance and the freedom to do the rest.
Not sure which is right for your space? Get in touch, and we’ll help you figure out the best fit before you book anything.
Schedule a Consultation with Laifi Geometrics — serving homeowners, architects, and contractors across New York City and Long Island.