I just finished meeting 7 IDs. Share experience with you.
Contact them, set up meeting and send them floor plan or bring your floor plan down for them to make copy.
1st meeting they will discuss with you your requirement and budget, talk about ideas, theme and they will draw on the floor plan a proposed layout, subject to change as they will take some time to think about a better layout and design for you. At end of 1st meeting they set a 2nd meeting with us.
2nd meeting go through their floor plan design and quote, some showed us photo references, 3d model on computer or even 3d drawings. After that we compare design and quotes, and set up 3rd meeting with shortlisted designers to view the work in progress, see the carpentry workmanship. After that decide and sign contract.
Didn't meet contractor so can't comment, but I rather pay more for ID, hopefully he can coordinate everything nicely no reno nightmare.
