The Impatient Interior Design Fairs
Does it feel like you’re constantly seeing ads for interior design fairs? It feels like there’s one every weekend. Have you been tempted to RSVP for one? Well, sadly, these fairs are never fair and every homeowner who enters one is a lamb for the slaughter.
As Singaporeans, hunting for bargains and good deals is part of our identity, and interior design companies know that. They know that to get us through the doors, they have to offer a good deal—or at least something that seems like a good deal. But are they really? Let's face reality: these interior design fairs are a significant cost to the businesses. Every mall space, every setup, and even every snack provided is a cost to the company. Not to mention the amount of man-hours needed to plan and run a fair like this. These costs must be made up for either by signing a high quantity of projects or through other creative cost-management methods, often at the expense of the homeowner. With dozens of designers from various companies, everyone there is looking to make this event worth their hefty investment.
With such heavy investments, these companies will use every persuasion technique in the book to pressure you into signing with them on the spot. They create a strong sense of urgency with “exclusive deals” that are only valid for that weekend. The open layout of fairs means you might see other homeowners signing contracts and getting goodie bags, triggering a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO). Many fairs even offer free gifts to push you into signing with a firm then and there. However, these seemingly “great deals” now have the added cost of the fair baked into the prices.
One of the biggest issues of a design fair is the lack of a proper consultation. The focus of the companies there is on volume of sales, not bespoke designs. The “designers” you speak with are usually salespeople first, project managers second and maybe designers last. Their primary objective is to get a signature, not to understand your needs or lifestyle. They’re selling prepackaged bundles, a one-size-fits-all solution, price tag included. On top of all of that, they have to sell to you fast so they can move on to their next victim.
By pushing you to sign on the spot, they also prevent you from being able to compare their quotation with other firms, so you can’t truly know if you’re getting a good deal or getting blindsided. This is precisely the point of a high-pressure environment. Without taking a quote home to review, you lose the ability to scrutinize individual items for inflated prices or hidden costs. You’re essentially blindly trusting that this hurried, pre-bundled package is the best and most cost-effective solution for your home, which is rarely the case. This fast-paced transaction is the complete opposite of what’s required for a successful renovation.
Homeowners should NEVER be rushed by persuasion or tempting deals into signing a renovation package. A renovation is a huge investment, and it deserves its due diligence in researching companies and cross-comparing quotations—things you can't do at an interior design fair.
If you really want a good deal, instead of rushing out to next weekend’s design fair, take the time to sit down and do some research on various interior design firms in Singapore. Ask friends and family about their experience with their designers and if they would recommend them. Most importantly, spend the time to meet and get to know your shortlisted designers; they’ll be your potential partners through your renovation. Ask them for their credentials and make sure to get clear and detailed quotations from each. Most importantly, find a designer who understands you and your needs. One who isn’t just looking for a quick signature but who has a passion for thoughtful design.