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Get Sorted.

Decide well before you get to the picture framer what you want to get done. Turning up with 30 odd paintings and asking the framer on his opinion of which ones are worth doing, is not a good idea. If you are not sure if the framing is going to blow your budget, then just put your pictures in some kind of order of which ones are most important, and cull the ones that exceed your limit. A good framer will never give an opinion on the quality of what you're having done. This is your decision as you are going to be the one paying for it, & in most cases, living with the finished product.

If you have a set of photos or pictures of any description going into one frame, then place them out on a table at home, & come up with your ideal layout. This particular array of pictures does not have to be the way it is eventually framed by any means. It is just a good point of reference for you to work with, so that you are happier with the end result.
In most cases your framer will be able to give great practical advice on how to best set out your work so that it can be as economical as possible. Some sizes are better than others as they can be made from standard materials, & another layout may end up costing you double that of a more compact one.
Although this technical advice can be useful, framers don't in general have an opinion weather uncle Ernie should go next to auntie Agnes or cousin Walter. Most aesthetic decisions must be made by you.
The layout of your pictures can take up a lot of your framers time. Some framers charge for consultancy much like an architect would., So do as much as you can at home, where you can relax & take your time.

Samples.

People that want to match a specific timber tone or paint colour should bring in a sample of what they have in mind if at all practical to do so. In other words, bring in one drawer from a desk so that the framer can compare samples directly against it to get a better comparison. This is especially useful when dealing with timbers, as people generally have different ideas of what a particular name of wood should look like. What some people call a walnut colour could be a rosewood, oak or cedar to some one else.

If you want to match a frame you already have at home, bring the original in to the framers so you can be sure they know what you are after. If the frame is too big, take a digital photo or make accurate measurements.

Area of impact

Have a good think about where the picture will be hung.

If you intend on keeping the frame for yourself, then you should get a good idea of what the space it will be going into looks like and needs. Dark rooms can be lifted by bright pictures to give a fresher feel, while very sunny rooms may need special attention so that pictures don't fade.
Check the colour schemes in the room. Not just the paint tint, but the timber tones, the metals used and the different fabrics in curtains, couches etc. Is the room a stark white gallery, or a dim brown boudoir.

If you are passing on the picture to a friend or client, then give consideration to where they will eventually hang it. Will the picture match their study, or is it going to be hung in the bathroom?
Next time you are over at their house take a look and check if they have picture rails, as they may require a different type of hanger on their frame.

There are a few practical things to think about as well.
Hallways should not have very deep frames as they can catch all the time & may be constantly tilted by slight bumps. They may end up broken or even hurt someone.
Direct sunlight will harm pictures as well as making it hard to see them through glass if not handled correctly.
Make sure the frame will fit in the room. The finished job is normally bigger than the picture by itself, so allow for this and do some rough measurements.
External walls are often damp and can cause a picture to go mouldy quickly.
Bathrooms are all to often the last resting place of many a picture frame. Hot, damp, steamy air, will kill just about any picture and will eventually claim the silvering of most mirrors too.
Glass is a bad idea in kids rooms. Newborn’s are no problem, but toddlers can really do them selves some harm. Hang your pictures high in kids rooms, or better yet use perspex or blue tack.
Even worse than a group of terrible two year olds are pub patrons. Use perspex where ever you can, and don't hang a picture of the queen in an Irish tavern without expecting to fix it every couple of days.

Who are you?

What sort of person are you? Are you a 30 something female that has just bought her first home and needs a big mirror? Are you an 80 something man who has finally got around to framing his university degrees? Or are you a House wife with a Margaret Preston poster?

If you are looking to frame a mirror... Think about weather you are a person that wants a simple chrome look, or is going to be happier with a baroque 8" gold moulding. If you are tall or fat and want a dressing mirror, you will need to get something to fit all of you in. If you want a mirror to hang above the mantle piece, consider if you are going to be living in a house with a fire place for long. Mirrors last a very long time, so think about what will suit you, as well as what will suit the future you.

If you are getting your certificates famed... Decide if you are the sort of person to get them all framed the same way for a consistent look. Or will you get them framed individually to match each degree as it comes. Do you want them in a simple black to merely keep the dust off? Or do you want the three biggest frames the framer has piggybacked on top of each other to show just how much work they involved? Just because many certificates look the same, doesn't mean you cant choose something that suits you.

If you are getting your Margaret Preston framed... Think about weather you want to enhance the sharp black lines segmenting the picture of one of Australia’s foremost female artists, or do you just like green? Would a mat board give you piece of mind that the picture will look better and be protected, Or does it intrude unnecessarily on the art work?

Do you love gold & hate brown? Detest black & crave pink. Want timber frames, & own a poodle? These tastes are unique to you and only you. If you can think about them at home bring that knowledge to the framer, you will get save time, & go home with something that you are much happier with. Alternatively if you don't know who you are, bring along someone who does.

Inches vs Cm.
Make sure you specify what dimensions you are talking in when asking for a price. Don't expect the framer to stick to a quote on a 40 x 60cm photo when you have a 40 x 60" one in mind.

Paper sizes.

Get a quote.
If you are new to framing, ring around. You will find a large variation in what different framers are willing to charge.
Ringing up can also give you a rough idea on what the actual picture framer is like. As most framers are small affairs, the person that answers the phone may well be the person doing the framing. If they sound incompetent of gruff, then just keep ringing until you find one you like.

Stand up.
Picture framers have a great knowledge of how to frame pictures. This does not mean they know what is best for you. You are the one paying for the job, & you are the one that has to live with the results. Be clear on what you're after, & don’t be rail roaded into something that you don't really want.

Dominatrix.
Decide if you want your picture to be subdued or dominating on the wall. Is it going to be a feature, or will it be a small unassuming memento? These factors will change how the picture is eventually framed.