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Thursday, October 5th, 2017
FIne Furniture Regal Double Pedestal Dining Table: The beautiful marriage of neutral colors in this dining room is difficult to ignore.
The beginning of a majestic design process always comes with the initial consultation. This is that moment when you meet up with the design experts and have an ocular visit of your home. This initial consult could also happen inside the designer’s studio which is the case when the house is going to be constructed or if a vacation home is to be set up.
An interior designer’s first interaction requires getting to know as much information about their client as possible. They have to know their desired outcomes, personalities, the timeframe for the project, and the budget.
Your selection of a design team also means looking for past clients. These are the people who can attest to the real portfolio of your chosen design team. Ask if the past clients were satisfied with the end result. Ask also if the builders have their license.
Warranty and service are also two things that you need to ask before signing any papers. Tour the model homes that they have made. The number of years that they have worked also count.
It is also important for the design team to know how the space will be used, discuss functionality as well as aesthetics. As a team, the client should specify the next meeting’s major task and what jobs to prioritize.
Find a design team that does not require a consultation fee or, at the very least, have a low asking price. The initial consultation should be a means to see if you and the team are a good fit. If you want the design team to take on the project a hundred-percent and you would just move in once it’s done, then specify that to them, too.
Material Selection
Another necessary step of the design process is the material selection phase. The design team will lay all of the options to you by this time. Be sure to give an honest feedback so that you will end up liking the materials used in your home.
While design teams try to get the material selection right the first time, there are also instances when some of the choices need to be revisited especially when they deviate from the desired outcome.
Estimation
The third step of the design process is the approximation of the project cost. Individual materials and products will be lined up so you can make your choice and make a final decision on what items to use. Take a careful look at all the alternatives before you make your final decision.
Most design teams will ask for a deposit once you sign the contract with them. This is the money that they will use to begin ordering the materials that you agreed to use for the project.
Implementation
This is the phase when actual construction will take place. You are bound to meet plumbers, electricians, flooring installers, wall experts, painters, general contractors, etc.
If you have your own set of experts whom you prefer to work with, then let the contractor know.
Final Inspection
So what should you expect once the construction is done?
Your builder must offer one last walkthrough before he hands over the structure to you. Have a blue painter’s tape with you during this walkthrough. This will serve as your marker as you point out anything that should be improved or was not done according to your specifications.
The builder should be able to correct these marked areas. It is your right to ask who will do the final work. There are builders who assign a dedicated team to complete the final items.
Keep a record of these marked items so that you can have another walkthrough once the project is really done.
Tags: design team, general contractor, house construction, interior design team, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, The Interior Designer | Comments Off on Understanding the Design Process – A Walkthrough of the Design Team’s Job
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