If you are a business person or an Internet person, you may need the services of a web designer at some point in your your life to either design your blog or your business website.
I have come across a number of individuals who have been duped but to be designers who promise they will deliver professional websites only to end up designing horrible websites.
I have an example of a website here which a client paid some 20k. You can charge by yourself if its worth the price.
It is not easy to identify a designer capable of giving you value for your money when it comes to the end product, but a few background check tips can save you a lot of headache.
My advice is;

1. Before you engage a web designer (probably the best) ask for his/her portfolio. This will give you a chance to evaluate his/her ability to work on your website. If he/she doesn't have any, probably he will not deliver. Also be careful with those who give you a portfolio they have not actually designed. To be sure, confirm if the website he/she has given you as one of the portfolio has his/her link. Most web designers insert their link at the bottom using {Designed by_______}. If it doesn't exist, doubt it.

2. The second precaution to take is; engage a web designer with a physical office. Trust me when you hire one on the streets, that time when your website experiences problems or goes offline, you will never find him/her on phone unless you know her/his office. A physical office also indicates some level of seriousness.

3. Contract, Contract & Contract. Sign one. If you want to know why, do not sign one.

Other things to consider include; programming language to be used, timeframe, will you be able to update your website yourself, upgrades among others.
Should you need more information to sort you out, contact us or call 0703803999 and we will help.
At Kenya Web we redesign websites that other web designers have messed up with at half the price we normally charge. If you have been a victim of one, we will sort you also.
I do hope this info saves you headache.