Why Using a Designer Saves You Money in the Long Run
Posted September 10, 2025
When embarking on a journey of a new commercial fitout, choosing whether to do the design yourself or hire a designer is a massive decision with a lot of unknowns. You may be asking; Can I afford a designer within my budget? Do I have the money and expertise to execute this within my budget? What does a designer do that I couldn't learn along the way?
All of these are valid concerns. This is your business, and you want to make sure you get the most for your dollar without sacrificing quality or the integrity of your vision.
Yes, using a designer costs money. They need to make a living somehow. But is it a worthwhile investment for your business? Read on for insights about the hidden pockets of value designers bring that you may not have thought of - and how using one will save (and make) you money in the long run.
Preventing Costly Mistakes and Budget Blowouts
When you're fitting out a new space, there's a huge amount of compliance and regulations you need to work with in order to make your business legal, and small mistakes can cost a fortune to fix. Experienced commercial designers have the industry knowledge and experience with construction and regulations that help you avoid those costly mistakes, leaving you more budget to spend on what is truly important.
You get access to a full team and network, not just a designer
When you use a designer, you reap the benefits of an entire design team, ensuring comprehensive support network and a broad range of expertise. Someone's out of the office? No problem, the rest of the team will take care of you.
Beyond that, you get access to the wide network of reliable professionals the designers know and trust. Need someone who can repair a 100 year old stained glass window in a pinch, or a builder with a knack for character-filled built in shelving? Your design team knows an expert perfect for the job at the right price, saving you time and money in the long run.
More Connections = More Savings
Did you know that by using a designer, you unlock exclusive discounts on many of the materials and furnishings required for your fitout?
Designers don't just select the perfect products; they get them at the best price. They know what materials are required for your unique project and have strong relationships with the businesses that supply them at designer exclusive discounts. This means you get the best product at the best price.
Streamlined Process and Time Savings
There's a big difference between someone who "can" design a space and someone who's done it successfully hundreds of times. A design team knows the process inside out and have the resources to complete the task to a high standard in a reasonable time frame and budget. Nobody's perfect, but experience speaks volumes; beginners don't know what they don't know and are bound to make mistakes that could come back to haunt them.
When you use a commercial designer, they take the monkey off your back, leaving you more time to work on what you're the expert in; your business.
Design is the Foundation of your Brand
Design is about more than just looks - it's about how it feels to walk into your space. It tells a story about your business before you even say a word. Every detail, from colour palettes to seating layouts, shape the vibe and flow of your space and influence how patrons and employees alike experience your business as a whole.
This is why it's so important to not only understand your brand, but know how to reflect its essence through every aspect of your design. That's where your designer comes in.
How about us?
Having designed hundreds of commercial spaces across Aotearoa and the Pacific over the last 20 years, Element 17 has all the experience and tools necessary to bring your fitout dreams to life. Our award-winning, multidisciplinary team has worked across the hospitality, corporate, retail, tourism, entertainment, and hotel industries - if it's a commercial project, it's our cup of tea!
Whatever the space size, industry or vision, we know how to create a space that's both functional and brand-aligned.
If you want a design that feels like YOU, let Element 17 take care of the details. Reach out to our friendly team today!