Updated October 21, 2026
Where people start their search
Many people begin online. They search for designers by service and location, scan portfolios and photos, and use contact forms to ask about availability. Recommendations from friends and recent renovation projects are also common sources. For holiday properties or work in coastal areas you are likely to find designers who work with tourism-related interiors; in inland towns the network may be smaller.
When you look online, focus on examples of completed work that match your style and project scale. If a design firm lists services, check whether they handle project management and contractor coordination or only design drawings.
- Look for recent project photos and descriptions
- Ask for references or contacts for similar completed projects
- Check whether the designer will coordinate contractors or only deliver drawings
How to check experience and portfolio
A portfolio is the clearest evidence of what a designer can do. Look for projects that show clear thinking about space, lighting, materials and detail photos that reveal finishes and joinery. If a portfolio contains few projects or only mood boards, ask why and whether the designer works mainly as a consultant.
Ask to see full project documentation for a sample job - drawings, material schedules, and a final photo set. If the designer provides only conceptual sketches, clarify whether technical drawings and site supervision are included or sold separately.
- Request before-and-after photos when possible
- Ask for project documentation samples
- Confirm who prepared technical drawings and who supervises site work
Questions to ask before you agree
Use a short checklist in the first meeting or email. Key items to clarify are scope of work, deliverables, timeline, fees and payment schedule, who orders materials and who hires labour, and how changes are handled. Ask whether site visits are charged and how many revisions are included in the fee.
Also confirm communication expectations - which language will be used for designs and contracts, how often you will receive updates, and whether the designer issues invoices suitable for your records.
- Scope - what exactly is included
- Deliverables - drawings, schedules, supplier lists, supervision
- Fees - total cost, payment stages, travel or site-visit charges
- Communication - language, updates, document formats
What may be specific in Croatia
Regulation of the title interior designer can vary. If a project affects structure, installations or requires building permits you will need designers or engineers who are authorised to produce permit documentation. Ask whether the firm has experience working with local municipal offices where your property is located.
Language expectations matter. Croatian is the everyday language of administration and many tradespeople; designers in tourist areas often speak good English, but always confirm which language will be used in contracts and permit submissions. Seasonality also affects scheduling - many renovation teams are busier before and during the tourist season in coastal regions, so plan timelines with local availability in mind.
- Confirm who handles permit documentation if required
- Agree on the language for contracts and official submissions
- Plan around seasonal peaks in coastal areas
How quotes and payments are commonly handled
Ask for a written quote that separates design fees from contractor and material costs. Common approaches include fixed fees, hourly rates, or fee as a percentage of project cost. Clarify what triggers additional charges and how changes will be priced.
Discuss payment schedule - many providers ask for an initial deposit, staged payments linked to milestones, and a final payment on completion. Confirm whether the designer can issue proper invoices and whether prices include or exclude VAT. If you prefer card payment, check whether the provider accepts cards or can receive payments through platforms that payout to their bank account.
- Get a written quote with itemised costs
- Agree payment stages and invoicing details
- Confirm tax treatment and whether VAT is shown
Working with contractors and permits
If the project requires building permits, ask who prepares and files the applications and whether the fee includes meetings with municipal officials. For fit-out and renovation work, clarify who is responsible for procuring contractors, coordinating schedules and inspecting workmanship.
If you hire contractors recommended by the designer, still request independent documentation - detailed scope, a timeline, and clear payment milestones - so you can hold each party accountable.
- Clarify responsibility for permit applications
- Request written agreements for contractor work
- Set inspection points and completion criteria
How a Websta profile helps you compare
Websta lists providers with profile pages that look like a small website - services, photos, a contact form and online booking where offered by the provider. The platform also runs a marketplace where people nearby find providers by service and place and can post a task for providers to make offers on. If you search on Websta, check category "interior designers", country "Croatia" (countryCode HR) and the matrix path "/marketplace/interior" for relevant listings.
Some catalogue entries in other markets were built from public registers and may include a notice that a person can claim or remove the page. Treat unclaimed profiles as starting points - they can save time when you collect contacts, but still verify experience, paperwork and references directly with the designer before hiring.
- Compare portfolios and services side by side
- Use contact forms to request the same brief from several designers
- Check whether the profile indicates claimed status and contact details
Frequently asked questions
- Do interior designers in Croatia need a specific licence?
- There is no single licence universally called 'interior designer' to rely on. If work affects structure or requires a building permit, you will need designers or engineers authorised to prepare permit documentation. Always ask the provider which registrations or professional qualifications they hold and who will sign official drawings.
- What should I check on a designer's portfolio?
- Look for completed projects with clear photos, before-and-after evidence, technical drawings when available, and examples at a similar scale to your project. Ask for contactable references or project documentation to confirm that the work was delivered.
- How are payments usually split for interior design projects?
- Designers commonly ask for an initial deposit, staged payments tied to milestones, and a final payment on completion. Get a written schedule in your contract and confirm invoicing and VAT details.
- Can I hire a designer who does not speak Croatian?
- You can, but make sure contracts, permit submissions and communications are agreed in a language you understand. For official submissions many municipalities use Croatian, so confirm who will prepare and translate documents if needed.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
Related guides
- How to make money as an interior designer in Croatia - practical steps
- Make Money as an Interior Designer in Karlovac
- How to make money as an interior designer in Osijek
- How to Make Money as an Interior Designer in Pula
- How to Make Money as an Interior Designer in Rijeka
- How to Make Money as an Interior Designer in Šibenik