Confused about whether to hire an interior designer or a renovation contractor for your next project in KL or Selangor? You’re not alone. Many property owners face this decision when planning a home renovation or commercial fit-out.

Let’s explore the differences, benefits, and how working with a company that offers both services under one roof can save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

An interior designer is more than someone who selects pretty furniture or stylish color palettes. A professional designer plays a critical role in transforming your space into something both beautiful and functional.

Key responsibilities include:

• Space planning and flow optimization

• Mood board and concept development

• Selection of materials, colors, and finishes

• Custom furniture design and placement

• Lighting and ambiance planning

• 3D visualizations and renderings

• Aligning the design with your lifestyle or brand identity

In short, interior designers help you visualize and plan your dream space before a single tile is laid.

What Does a Renovation Contractor/Company Handle?

A renovation company or contractor focuses on turning the approved design into reality. They bring in the manpower, tools, and technical know-how to execute the job safely and efficiently.

Their scope includes:

• Demolition and site preparation

• Electrical rewiring and plumbing

• Carpentry, ceiling, and partition work

• Wet works like tiling, waterproofing, and painting

• Installation of fixtures and fittings

• Ensuring the build complies with local regulations

• On-site project supervision

This is the build part of the design-and-build process, and it’s just as crucial as the design stage.

The Verdict

One common mistake people make is hiring an interior designer from one company and a contractor from another. While this seems like a flexible approach, it often leads to:

• Miscommunication between teams

• Design compromises due to on-site limitations

• Unexpected cost revisions due to unclear scopes

• Timeline delays from coordination issues

• Finger-pointing when problems arise

The vision of your dream space gets lost between the lines.

While it may seem like hiring separate parties for design and renovation could save you money, it often results in higher costs, both in time and budget; due to miscommunication, delays, and scope mismatches.

A better approach is to let your interior designer work with a trusted renovation contractor, or vice versa. When both teams are already familiar with each other, they communicate more effectively, understand each other’s workflow, and collaborate seamlessly.

Even better? You may enjoy bundle discounts or package deals, similar to a “buy two, get 10% off” offer, making the entire process more affordable and efficient.

At Edge ID, we offer both design and renovation services under one roof—and we’re happy to start with a free consultation to discuss your vision and how we can bring it to life.