How to Choose an Interior Design Studio for Your Next Project

Choosing an interior designer in Hong Kong is only partly about taste. Flats are often compact, buildings have their own rules, and work such as removing a wall or installing an external air-conditioning bracket may be regulated. Most homeowners encounter these requirements for the first time during a renovation. This checklist explains how to compare studios, clarify responsibilities and reduce surprises.

Start with a brief, not a mood board

Before contacting a studio, write down what you want to change. A clear brief makes proposals easier to compare and helps you avoid paying for design work you do not need. It also helps to know which compact living solutions you actually want, since storage and dual-purpose rooms drive layout decisions more than finishes do.

Scope: Are you redecorating with paint, furniture and lighting, or renovating with layout changes, new kitchens, bathrooms or built-in joinery?
Rooms and priorities: Which spaces matter most, and what must remain untouched?
Constraints: Note tenancy conditions, moving dates, pets, children and work-from-home needs.
Budget: Set a target and identify which items you would postpone if quotations come in high.

Be cautious with per-square-foot estimates. Costs vary according to the condition of the flat, the materials selected and the amount of regulated work involved. Ask for an itemised proposal instead of relying on one headline figure.

Understand Hong Kong’s renovation rules

A reliable studio should identify which requirements apply to each part of your brief before construction begins.

Minor works

Under the Minor Works Control System, works are grouped into three classes according to their risk, scale and complexity. Depending on the class, a prescribed building professional may need to be appointed, and the work must be completed by a prescribed registered contractor. Common examples can include non-structural partitions and some external fixtures.

Alteration and addition works

If a project affects structural elements or involves significant alterations, the owner may need to appoint an authorised person, such as a registered architect, engineer or surveyor, to submit plans. A registered structural engineer may also be required. Necessary approval should be obtained from the Buildings Department before work starts.

Several trades have separate requirements:

Electrical: Additions, alterations, inspections and repairs to fixed electrical installations must be handled by registered electrical contractors and workers.
Plumbing: Plumbing work may require permission from the Water Authority and the appointment of a designated person, such as a licensed plumber. Limited exemptions apply to certain minor works.
Fire services: Alterations to fire service installations must be completed by a Registered Fire Service Installation Contractor. The contractor is responsible for the required certification.
Waste: Renovation waste taken to government waste facilities must be covered by an Environmental Protection Department billing account.

Ask the studio to state in writing which approvals, notifications, professionals and contractors are required. The proposal should also identify who will arrange and pay for each item.

Check the building before finalising the design

Your flat is part of a larger building with its own rules. Ask the management office for the deed of mutual covenant, renovation guidelines, permitted working hours, lift-booking procedures, protection requirements and deposit terms.

How to shortlist studios

Review portfolios and process information instead of relying on personal recommendations alone. Look for evidence that a team has worked on your property type, whether it is a private flat, subsidised housing unit or village house. Relevant experience does not guarantee a smooth project, but it should help the team anticipate common building and management requirements.

The website of a Hong Kong interior design studio may show how its services, deliverables and project stages are organised. Check whether the published scope covers design only, design and construction, procurement, site supervision or post-completion defect checks. A shortlist of three or four studios is usually enough for a meaningful comparison.

Questions to ask during the first call

Who will lead the project day to day, and how often will we meet?
Which parts of the proposed scope are simple, minor or structural works?
Who will prepare submissions and appoint registered contractors?
How are design fees separated from construction costs?
Which drawings, specifications and material schedules are included?
How are payments staged, and how will variations be approved and priced?
How will dust, noise, common areas and waste be managed?
How will sprinklers, detectors and escape routes be protected?
How are licensed plumbing and electrical trades coordinated?
What defect-correction period applies after handover?

Take notes and ask for important answers by email. If different studios make conflicting claims about approvals, check the relevant department’s published guidance or seek independent professional advice.

Read each proposal closely

A useful proposal should be detailed rather than dramatic. Look for a scope table, drawing list, materials schedule, project programme, payment plan and a clear record of who is responsible for compliance tasks.

Design fees should also be explained before the appointment begins. Check whether they cover site measurement, revisions, construction drawings, sourcing, contractor coordination, site visits and defect checks. If the studio also manages construction, make sure the build quotation remains itemised.

Understand where the money goes

Include a contingency for conditions that cannot be confirmed before work starts, such as damaged pipes or hidden alterations. The contract should explain how unexpected work will be documented, priced and approved. Avoid accepting verbal variations, even when the amount seems small.

Watch for red flags

A vague scope with no supporting drawings or specifications.
Reluctance to identify the prescribed professionals or registered contractors involved.
Suggestions that required approvals or notifications can be skipped.
No plan for fire service installations, site protection or waste disposal.
A large upfront deposit without clear payment milestones.
No written process for approving variations.
No defined period for correcting defects after handover.

Map out the project before signing

Most flat renovations follow a similar path: site measurement and survey, concept design, layout development, an itemised quotation, required approvals or notifications, coordination of licensed trades, site protection, construction, defect checks and final paperwork.

The takeaway

Style is easy to judge from a portfolio. The harder question is whether a studio can explain the rules, responsibilities, costs and risks clearly. Use a written brief, compare itemised proposals and confirm important decisions in writing. A transparent process is often a better indicator of a well-managed renovation than presentation alone.

FAQ

Do interior designers need a licence in Hong Kong?

There is no specific licence required simply to use the title of interior designer. However, many parts of the physical work are regulated. Depending on the scope, prescribed professionals, registered contractors, licensed plumbers or registered electrical workers may be required.

Can I open up my kitchen?

It depends on the wall, ventilation, fire safety and building layout. Structural alterations require professional assessment and may need departmental approval. A non-structural change may instead fall under the Minor Works Control System. Check the approved plans and building rules before finalising the design.