No two design projects are alike, but there are some common steps in the process. We’ve outlined what you can expect when working with us:
Step 1: Initial Phone Call
This is typically the first contact. We offer a 15 minute complimentary phone discussion to understand your project needs. If there is mutual interest, we can schedule a consultation.
Step 2: Preliminary Consultaiton
We’ll meet in person and on-site to discuss the scope of your project in detail — what’s your desired outcome, what areas will be covered, and your goals and expectations.
It’s also very important for you to have a realistic budget before you begin the project. If necessary, we can walk you through the scope of work and help you arrive at a rough budget.
Another important step is identifying who will be the decision-maker and point-of-contact on your side for all communications and approvals. They should be present at all meetings to help keep the project moving forward and avoid unnecessary delays, costs, and rework.
Step 3: The Go-Ahead
Once you decide that we are the right design firm for you, we’ll need to formalize our engagement. This will require a letter of agreement to be signed, along with the initial payment or a retainer fee.
Step 4: Site Assessment
This on-site meeting generally occurs at the time the letter of agreement is signed, or shortly afterward. We’ll take detailed measurements and photographs of all the spaces involved in your project. This is the time we sit with you and talk more about your functional needs for the space, design style, lifestyle, and other important details.
Step 5: Design Phase
This phase includes:
Timely approval of the design and specified items is important to ensure the items are available.
Step 6: Project Plan Execution & Implementation
A schedule is made for purchasing and ordering items, work to be done by vendor(s), preparing bid packets for the contractor, and the final execution of the design.
Before any work on the project begins, or items are purchased on your behalf, you’ll receive a purchase proposal for approval. Nothing will be purchased without your signed approval and payment in advance. We have a good network of tradespeople who we can recommend to work on your project, if required.
All tasks and deliverables will be tracked closely to keep the project on track.
Step 7: Styling the Area & Walk-through
When all work has been completed, and all the procured items have been received, we’ll arrange everything required to give the area the final, finished look.
A key part of styling is to incorporate appropriate accessories in the space. If you feel the need to bring in additional accessories that were not included in the initial procurement process, we can order/pick them up for you and set them up in your home. This additional service would be billed at an hourly rate.
Once the final set-up has been done, we can walk through the space together and note any items that may need further attention. We’ll see that any such items are taken care of, and then the project can be considered complete.
We typically have photographs taken of the finished space. This will need to be scheduled.