When should you first make contact with an interior designer for a residential project?

When you are first thinking about doing a project.

The size, nature, extent, budget, requirements, life styles, et cetera of the project should be thoroughly discussed and analyzed to see if everyone potentially involved is on the same page, are communicating, have the suitability of working together, and have the necessary qualifications.

Such should take place before actually beginning the project.

At this stage, and always, be cognizant that the ultimate goal is to design and not just the selling and buying of merchandise and services.

The raison d’etre for an interior designer is to design.

When initiating the project be sure that all persons involved are kept informed of scheduling, when, where, and how their roles are to be played, and that all are working together as a team.

Planning, cooperation, and team work will not solve all the problems which invariably will come to pass and will make the entire project happen more smoothly, efficiently, and professionally but will also will probably manifest in a higher level of aesthetic results.

Food for thought.