FAQ & Design Process
TOP 5 QUESTIONS
What are the benefits of hiring an interior designer?
Hiring an interior designer might seem like a luxury BUT it will save you time, money, and energy in the long run, whether you are building, renovating or doing a minor makeover.
What does an interior designer do?
Ideally, we create a timeless design that works for you, rather than pushing you toward a look that is “on trend”. A great designer will use all their resources to take that vision in your head and make it a reality. They can see a space and create a new environment that delights and surprises and enhances your lifestyle.
How do you choose an interior designer?
It’s important to have a good working relationship with your interior designer. Choosing to renovate or build a new home is a personal experience and you want to know you can trust your chosen designer. The right designer will have your best interests in mind, won’t force a design aesthetic on you, and will always be approachable if you have concerns about the project. Nobody should feel intimidated by their designer!
What can an interior designer help you do?
Interior designers do far more than help you create an aesthetic (plans, paint colours, tiles, carpets etc.) An experienced designer has a broad technical knowledge, industry contacts, and will be a liaison with your builder of choice.
Why use an interior designer?
Professional designers bring extensive training and a wealth of knowledge and experience to your build, renovation or makeover. Interior designers use their expertise and product knowledge to expand and develop your ideas, solve environmental problems, and save you time, money and frustration.
An experienced interior designer can help you with any design from minimalist to traditional, or more complicated designs. A good interior designer will always be objective, keep you from straying from the central idea, and use their expertise to create a beautiful and cohesive final product.
The Design Process:
A comprehensive breakdown
INTRODUCTION TO THE DESIGN PROCESS
Step 1. Introduction meeting-
To discuss the brief and project requirements to get an understanding of what we need to achieve.
- Discuss budget.
- Discuss style preferences.
- Discuss client design ideas and wish list. Discuss likes and dislikes.
- Discuss the choice of external consultants and contractors required for the job. Is there an architect, building designer or builder already appointed on the job?
Pre-design usually begins with a brief and is an opportunity for clients to communicate their ideas, requirements, and ambitions for their project. We invite clients to document their brief through imagery, descriptions, lists of ‘wants’- whatever captures an expression of who they are and their desires for the project.
The more information you can provide the better the result. It is important to know what you want and do not want to avoid disappointment or wasting time heading down the wrong design path.
Step 2. Fee proposal-
Sugar Designs will put together a fee proposal based on the information provided from the introduction meeting. We will put together an estimate of time based on experience and knowledge of how much time it takes to do typical areas similar to your requirements.
If the project deviates or evolves beyond the original scope of works, the additional time required will be identified prior to works being undertaken. These variations will then be invoiced accordingly.
A fee proposal with an initial time allowance is created to help clients budget for the design process, but consultation by the hour is also available for those that do not have a clearly identified brief and prefer to use our services on a need-to-need basis.
Step 3. Acceptance of design services and fee proposal –
Once the go ahead is given to us to get started, a deposit invoice is raised to initiate the job.
This deposit provides the initial time allowance to co-ordinate existing drawings or the documentation of existing buildings through onsite measuring to create base building plans that are then used as the foundations for the design concept.
The pre-design process builds the foundations for a project, and provides the information needed to move into the next stage, design concept.
Step 4. Create base plans for design concept development –
Concept design deals with the big ideas, and potential for the site.
This may include a site visit to record information if required or the follow up to access architectural floor plans (if available) to start creating base plans for interior space planning.
During this stage you can expect to discuss interior ideas and spatial planning, this is also a good time to collect any images or scrap books of design styles that you have put together showing us your preferences. This helps us get to know you so that we can achieve the right design style you are looking for.
Step 5. Studio design time –
During concept design we will prepare a digital 3D model to assist with understanding the spatial qualities of the design, the interpretation of the brief.
This may include the selection and co-ordination of preliminary exterior colour palettes or interior space planning of kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and/or fixed joinery designs for general interiors depending on what the scope of works has been quoted
Step 6. Meeting with client for initial feedback-
We prefer not to go too far with your design without getting feedback and approval that we are going in the right direction. We present floor plans first to check that the space planning is working and that we have not misinterpreted the brief or missed vital information. This gives us the opportunity to tweak, amend or add more information to the plans. We often find that clients can give us better feedback or can elaborate on the brief when they have a base plan to work off.
When the broad spatial and conceptual ideas have been presented and approved, we will the proceed to the next stage: design development.
Design development
Following client approval on the concept, the design is further refined to address feedback from earlier design stages and to include feedback from specialist consultants if required.
Step 7. Meeting to discuss preliminary products and finishes-
Based on the feedback and direction you have given us, we put together products and finishes that we feel work best to suit your design style, practicality and budget. We present the concepts and colour palettes for your feedback and approval before proceeding to the next stage of developing the design package.
Step 8. Develop plans and elevations –
Once we are given the okay on the concept plans and you are happy to go to the next stage (sign off concept plans) we then start to develop the design package with elevations, detail plans and joinery designs. This may also include the development of lighting and electrical layouts if this was included in the scope of works quoted in your fee proposal.
Material sample boards and schedules of finishes for the design are also developed, providing a level of detail that can help explain the look and feel of the project and be used to coordinate updated feedback from specialist consultants.
These preliminary plans will be presented, and the drawings are further refined to address feedback before we proceed to the next stage: design documentation.
The design documentation stage prepares the design package to help with tendering, the estimate of the cost of works for the project.
The design package will include plans, elevations, and sections, together with other joinery design details and schedules that are prepared to enable construction approval. These drawings will integrate the work of other specialist consultants.
In additional to more detailed drawings, specifications and schedules are further developed to describe the quality of materials, finishes and quality of work necessary to meet the client’s requirements.
Step 9. Meeting to review draft of final plans and elevations –
This is our final opportunity to pick up on any errors, typos, missing information, or check products costs are acceptable before we print off the final set ready for builders and contractors to use. (Final sign off meeting).
Please note that if a new design direction is requested at this point of the project, we will need to discuss additional time and fees to cover the new work or design changes made, particularly if design acceptance had been received and work has progressed to near completion. We are happy to make changes and explore new ideas to help you achieve the right results, provided we are given adequate time to complete the variations or alternative design options for your project as we go along.
Step 10. Print off final design and planning package –
Once we have checked off that all the information for your design work has been included and is complete, we print off a final set of plans. We also create PDF copies and can provide a CD for your use to distribute to builders, joiners, and any contractors that you need to have quote building and supply services for your project. Please note that we will provide one complete set of printed plans at handover. Additional sets requested will incur an extra fee.
Final Step. Hand over –
Hand over complete package of design documentation ready for tender or building works to commence.
During the handover stage, Sugar Designs will also provide recommendations to you on the preferred method for selecting a building contractor. We will forward your design package to nominated building contractors for tender and will also assist you in determining the most suitable contractor for your project.