What to expect from your Interior Designer
Looking to open a restaurant, renovate your office or convert an existing space into another function? Sounds like you need a designer! But what is the process? What scope of services will a designer provide? And what questions is a designer likely to ask?
Typically when you first reach out to a designer they’ll have several questions for you in order to gauge the level of services that you’re in need of. Here are just a few examples of questions they may ask:
Do you have a floorplan of the space as it exists today?
Square footage of the space?
Address of the site?
What is space currently? ie. empty shell? existing concept?
Do you have a construction budget?
Is any existing furniture or equipment to be incorporated into the design?
Are there existing CAD drawings for use?
Do you have a Mechanical/Electrical engineer on board?
Have you given some thought into the look & feel you’d like to achieve?
Generally, based on the answers to these questions & possibly an initial site visit, a designer should be able to present you with a fee and scope of design services at this point, in order for you to decide if you’ll be moving forward.
A designer’s scope of services can drastically change from one project to another as needed but here is a guide to some general services you can expect from your design contract:
Design Development
During the first phase of the contract the designer will conduct an initial site visit to confirm as-built dimensions and photograph the existing conditions. An initial floorplan & conceptual design will be created and presented to showcase proposed furnishings, finishes and lighting along with specific design details. At this point your feedback should be welcomed and revisions will be made to the design to suit. Depending on the nature of the project 3D renderings may be produced to assist you in understanding the design being presented more realistically.
Working Drawings
Once the design has been approved the next phase begins. Product specifications are finalized and working drawings begin. Your designer should coordinate with engineers and architects as required to complete a cohesive and consistent set of working drawings to be used for permit application, tender and/or construction. Drawings will include partition plans, furniture plans, reflected ceiling plans, interior elevations, restroom and millwork details as necessary and all drawings should adhere to local building codes.
Permit Management
If required, your designer can complete all application forms and apply for building permit with City authorities as well as obtain all necessary documents to close out the permit.
Construction Co-ordination
During construction your designer should be available to the contractor to assist in executing the construction as per the design intent. Questions will inevitably arise on site and the contractor may require a drawing revision or addendum be issued. The designer should also sign off on any millwork shop drawings and finish samples to ensure everything is installed as expected. Generally, during construction, 1-2 site visits by the designer should be expected unless the scope of work is larger in which case these should be increased. Your designer will ensure that your vision from the design development phase is being met and discuss any unforeseen issues with you to avoid surprises.
Hopefully this has helped provide you with some insight into the general design process and what you can expect from working with a professional designer. Overall this process can take many months so it’s important to choose a designer you’re comfortable with and who has a proven track record for success.