Fire, water or storm damage can create a devastating and unsafe situation at home. However, once the initial shock wears off and you and your family are out of danger, homeowners have an opportunity to update the damaged space to give it a new and fresh look. And the best way to do this is with a home restoration company that partners with an interior design firm as part of its residential restoration services.
“I want to get involved as soon as possible,” says Shelby Garris, Interior Designer at Ruby + Suede, who offers professional design guidance to homeowners working with Restorations By Highmark. “I talk with the homeowners and together we make a plan to restore the space. My role is to not only help them through this difficult process, but to get their home back to a livable place as soon as possible.”
The Role of Interior Design in Home Restoration
Home restoration focuses on bringing your home back to its pre-damaged state. Walls are rebuilt. Burnt or waterlogged materials are replaced. Hazards, such as mold growth or smoke damage, are eliminated. When this process is complete, the space is ready for the rebuild.
“Once the insurance estimate is approved, I can offer the homeowner options available to them covered by insurance,” says Shelby, who helps source products that fit within your budget or insurance allowance. “We create a plan, and this makes the process go much smoother.”
When executed together, home restoration and interior design can ensure a beautiful and functional space tailored to the homeowner’s style and needs. “I handle the heavy lifting—sourcing products, offering insights on current trends, understanding the pros and cons of different manufacturers—so the homeowners are not required to take time off from work or dip into areas they are unfamiliar with,” says Shelby. This can help increase efficiency and reduce timelines, getting you back into your home quicker.
Why Home Restoration and Interior Design Go Together
There are numerous benefits to this type of approach, many of which homeowners may not think of as they’re scrambling to find a home restoration company. Having someone well-versed in interior design and materials selection at your side can turn an otherwise dire situation into one of inspiration as you dream about the look and feel of your new space. Other benefits include:
- Style Consistency: When home restoration and interior design are planned concurrently, your home can follow a unified design aesthetic and not a mix of old and new styles.
- Combined Efficiencies: Avoid unnecessary expenses and delays with an integrated approach, and ensure all elements are taken into consideration from the very start.
- Design Harmony: Repairs and reconstruction can impact interior design elements and your selections process. Planning both together ensures a harmonious result.
- Higher Property Value: Updating to a more stylish interior can attract buyers and fetch a higher price if you choose to sell your home after the restoration process.
The Selections Process
Selecting and sourcing new materials can be fun but also overwhelming for some homeowners. Tile, carpeting, custom cabinets, countertops, fixtures and more may all be included depending on the extent of the damage, so it’s best to work with a professional.
“I show homeowners a variety of options for each replacement and follow a ‘good-better-best’ approach,” says Shelby. “It is not my job to upsell, but often the homeowners will use this opportunity to upgrade to a designer tile or top-quality carpeting if their budget allows.”
This integrated process helps to achieve a quick turnaround on your home restoration project. “The selections process can be the longest phase, so I try to source materials that don’t have an extended lead time or are difficult to order,” says Shelby. In this way, she can keep the remaining phases on schedule.
Restorations by Highmark has its own in-house design studio where homeowners can meet with Shelby to look at a variety of materials. “If we don’t have it in our design studio, I can typically source materials through one of our trusted vendors,” she says.
Likewise, Restorations by Highmark employs a team of in-house carpenters and project managers, and partners with Christian Bros. Cabinets to build custom cabinetry. This all helps to keep projects on schedule and deliver the highest quality craftsmanship.
An Integrated Approach
When, or if, disaster strikes at your home, contact a home restoration company that partners with an interior design firm as part of the rebuild at no additional cost to you. For more than 10 years, Restorations by Highmark has been helping homeowner recover and rebuild safe, functional, and beautiful living spaces.
Home Restoration and Interior Design FAQ
Why is it important to combine home restoration with interior design services?
An interior designer can add efficiency with sourcing and planning, knowledge of industry trends and products, and guidance in the decision-making process. Interior designers also have access to unique, trade-only products that can be sold to customers.
What does an interior designer do during the home restoration process?
An interior designer can provide on-trend options to achieve a desired style for the restoration while maintaining budget and timeline. They will source and assist the customer in choosing new materials for their restoration that are readily available and covered by insurance.
What is not included in the selections process?
Any major changes to the scope of repairs that would involve re-design. These changes take time to thoroughly plan and execute, and the restorations team is hired to restore the home to pre-loss condition.
How can I pay for items that are not included in the insurance estimate?
Payment for items not included in the insurance estimate would be up to the customer to pay for.
What is a typical home restoration timeline?
Timelines vary with each project, depending on the scope of work to be done and how efficiently the planning phase can be completed. Timelines can range from a few months to over a year. The quicker selections are made the quicker your project will be completed.
When Disaster Strikes, Contact Us
We’re a preferred contractor for over 70 insurance companies and will happily assist you with your home restoration project.
