A professional interior designer can help you bring out the best of your home and avoid costly mistakes when remodeling. There is likely to be a professional interior designer who can help you realize your dream project.

Lomeinterior.com estimates that most homeowners will spend between to hire an interior decorator or designer. However, some homeowners may pay less. This includes consultations as well as material purchases.

These tips will help you find the right designer, no matter what your budget.

Your project should be sized up.

Are you looking for help in styling one or more rooms? Or are you planning a major home improvement project that'll affect wiring, plumbing, and room layout? You will need to understand the scope of your job before you can find the right professional.

Designers are trained to work on larger projects. According to Anne Reagan, editor in chief of Porch.com, which matches homeowners and contractors, interior designers have typically completed college architecture or project management courses.

These professionals can assist homeowners in choosing colors, fabrics, and furniture options. They can also supervise large-scale renovations.

"Interior designers excel at coordination and knowing what the next steps are to get things done. Reagan states that they can be project managers and keep track of subcontractors, budgets, and timelines.

For smaller projects, a home decorator may be more suitable. They don't need to be licensed or have formal training. Additionally, they charge less than interior designers.

Reagan states that decorators can generally help with simple jobs like changing the color scheme of your home or choosing furniture to improve a few rooms.

Know how much equity you have

NerdWallet keeps tabs on your home equity balance, so you know. 

Design ideas for gathering

Your vision for your home will be necessary for your designer. Show your designer examples of completed projects or samples of fabrics you would like to see in the house. A few of your favorite pieces can help an interior designer quickly get a feel for your style.

Refer to others and verify references

Ask your family and friends for the names of local decorators and designers. You can also search ASID's online membership directory and Porch.com's referral pages.

Once you have a few names, it is time to start researching. Experienced professionals will likely have an online portfolio that can provide references. Review portfolios and get in touch with past clients.

Check that your potential interior designer holds all necessary licenses. Find out the local requirements by contacting your secretary of state branch or visiting the ASID state regulations webpage.

Communicate your budget

Regardless of the size of your project, you'll want your interior designer to know your home remodel budget -- and stay within it. Your budget should be communicated to your designer in advance.

It is also a great time to discuss the expected amount of money that the designer will receive. A few designers will charge an hourly rate, typically between $50 and $200. These fees can cover both consulting services and time spent purchasing materials for your home. To protect their time, other designers might mark up the price of any purchase they make for you.

Reagan says that one option doesn't always have to be better than another. She says, "You will want to choose a payment plan that is comfortable for you."

It is also essential to ask when you will be billed. Interior designers may send you a bill once per month, while others will charge for each milestone they achieve.

Designers don't have to charge for their services. They have only authorized representatives of furniture manufacturers. Although they may have great ideas for decorating your home, hiring one will restrict your options.