Questions to ask before a sourcing engagement

A sourcing engagement lives or dies in the first conversation. Most people ask about price or timeline, but those won't tell you whether a designer is listening to you or steering you toward commissions. The questions that matter are the ones that expose how they work, what they'll prioritise, and whether they'll actually deliver what you need.

What gets sourced, and who decides?

Start here: "Walk me through how you'd approach my brief." A good sourcer will ask follow-up questions—about your space, your habits, existing pieces, budget reality, and what "done" looks like to you. An evasive one will jump straight to "I know exactly what you need" or "I have great pieces lined up." That second answer is a warning. You want someone who listens first and curates second.

Then ask: "If I see something I like online or in a shop, can you source it for me, or do I have to use your suppliers?" The answer reveals their model. Some designers work only with a locked set of trade partners; others have the flexibility to hunt for what fits your vision. Neither is wrong, but you need to know the boundary before you're frustrated three weeks in. A flexible sourcer will say yes with caveats (delivery time, return guarantees, markup); a locked-network designer should explain why their ecosystem works and what you gain from it.

Also ask: "What happens if I want to swap something out mid-project?" Changes happen. A designer who says "it's complicated" or "there's usually a fee" is being honest about admin friction but hasn't thought through your comfort. One who says "we can make it work, but let's agree on a cutoff date so lead times don't blow out" is managing both of your expectations.

How are you paid, and what does that mean for my choices?

This is the fulcrum question: "How do you make money on what you source?" Don't let them dodge it. They might say upfront fee, markup on items, trade discounts they keep, or a blend. All are legitimate, but the mix shapes their incentives. If they're taking 30% markup on every sofa, they have a reason to steer you toward expensive sofas. If they're on a flat fee, they theoretically don't.

When they answer, follow up: "What's your typical markup or commission?" and "Do you ever recommend something I could buy direct?" A sourcer who admits they'll flag a good piece from a showroom you can buy yourself is being transparent about moments where their interest and yours might diverge. One who says "everything goes through me" is worth probing further—ask why, and whether that's a requirement or a preference.

Also: "If I want to shop sales or hunt for deals, do you prefer I tell you upfront or afterward?" This matters. Some designers build sourcing into their process and fee; if you freelance-shop without telling them, you're changing the deal and potentially duplicating effort. Others are fine with you chasing bargains as long as items fit the brief. Get clear on this early to avoid awkwardness later.

One more: "If I'm not comfortable with a choice, can I see other options?" A good answer is "absolutely, but we'll need to factor in extra time and possibly cost if we're chasing other suppliers." A bad one is "trust me, my clients always love this." You're paying for their eye and their hustle, not their ego.

The cutoff questions

Finally, ask: "What's included in your fee, and what costs extra?" Specify delivery, installation coordination, returns handling, and revisions. Then ask: "How will you keep me in the loop—emails, meetings, photos?" A sourcer who can't describe their communication cadence isn't organised enough yet.

When you have answers to these questions, you'll know whether you're working with someone who's designing for you or selling to you. That clarity, struck early, is what makes a sourcing engagement actually work. When you're ready to start, look for verified sourcers on Strove who can walk through these answers clearly and in writing.