Hello
First time poster but I thought I might have something useful I could add to this from recent experience.
I have done a few renos and never used a consultant. I've always been of the school of thought that I would rather use the money on the actual reno instead of paying someone to choose paint colours.
I used a consultant for the first time on a project this year (actually the same firm mentioned above) and found out I didn't know what I didn't know! I reckon she saved me about 50% of what I had planned to spend and the valuation has come in above what I was expecting.
And I learned there is more to using design to add value than just pretty colours!
So no I would never just try to `figure it out myself' again. I suspect it is like accountants and mortgage brokers, it isn't until you experience what value a good one can add that you see the benefits of the expertise.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Melanie MacDonald