SCOPE OF SERVICES
1: Consultation
The design consultation is the starting point. During this first meeting we will discuss the scope of your project, your goals and your budget. We’ll discuss your tastes, your lifestyle, and how you intend to use the space. You’ll want to make sure all decision-makers are at this meeting and budget. Consultation will cover:
1. The scope of your project in detail: This will include all the rooms involved in the project, how you intend to use each room, and your ideas and goals for each space.
2. Your tastes, preferences, likes, dislikes, style and lifestyle: I’ll ask lots of questions and we’ll look at pictures to focus in on your tastes.
3. Budget: Yes, we need to discuss this subject. Not defining the budget can make for a great deal of unhappiness as your project progresses. We both need to have a clear understanding of what the scope of the project and budget is in order to have a successful collaboration. If you're not sure what your budget should be, I can work with you to determine a realistic cost to accomplish your vision.
4. Assign the Main Contact: If there is more than one decision-maker, you will assign one to be the contact person for the project. This person will be the one that makes decisions and approves the proposals. This will also be the person I will have direct contact with and receive direction from during the course of the project. Because it is not always possible to meet with both people at the same time, the contact person will be responsible for communicating any ideas or decisions to his or partner.
Step 2: Site Measure and Assessment
This on-site meeting generally occurs within two weeks after the letter of agreement and retainer is received. I will take detailed measurements and photographs of all the spaces involved in your project. Where appropriate, I will also arrange to have the trades people who will be working on your project come in and take their own measurements for estimating purposes.
Step 3: Space Planning
Carefully considered space planning is crucial to a well-designed space. After all the measurements have been taken I will develop floor plans for each room. Floor plans allow me to determine what pieces will best fit into the space, how it is arranged, and the scale of each piece. I will then schedule a meeting to review each floor plan and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Step 4: Design Concept
Once we have decided on a floor plan, the next step is to create the design scheme. This process starts with developing a color scheme and sourcing fabrics, furniture, fixtures and materials. Custom furniture and built-ins are designed and finishes chosen. Materials for flooring, counters and cabinetry are selected. Wall and floor coverings are considered. Window treatments are designed and fabrics, trims and hardware are chosen. A lighting plan is developed. Drawings, samples and pictures are gathered. Quotes and pricing are researched. Every detail is considered.
[Throughout this step there will be a fair amount of communication and there may be intermediate meetings to discuss certain elements of the design. Creating the design concept is a multi-faceted process and generally requires several weeks, depending on the scope of your project.]
Step 5: Concept Presentation and Approval
Once the design concept is ready to present, I will schedule a meeting. You will be presented with carefully edited selections that represent the best choices for your space. I will go through the design in detail and you will be presented with fabrics, drawings, photos and samples for each element in the design. For some elements you’ll be presented with a few options. During the meeting you’ll provide feedback and we’ll narrow down the options to the best one for each element. If there are items that need to be re-sourced we’ll discuss the steps involved with that.
[By the end of this meeting we should have a complete design concept that meets your approval. If you want to see, touch, feel or sit on some of your furniture options I can arrange a trip to the showroom. Timely approval of the design concept is crucial for maintaining accurate pricing and ensuring the availability of some design elements (fabrics or antiques, for example). If the design is not approved in a timely manner there may be additional costs associated with replacing items that are no longer available. Once the design has been approved and all elements are finalized we can begin executing on the design.]
Step 6: Scheduling
A time-table will be developed for purchasing and ordering, work to be done by trades, and final installation. This schedule will be adjusted along the way to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. Please be aware that most projects take several months to complete. The lead time on furniture can often be 8-15 weeks.
Step 7: Procurement
Before any trades are hired or items are purchased you will receive a proposal for approval that details the work to be done or item to be purchased along with all known associated costs. Nothing will be purchased without your approval. You will receive two copies of each proposal; one for your records, and one that you will sign and return to my office. I will be working as the project manager so I will be ordering and passing along my trade discounts, the proposals you receive will reflect the discounted price. You will be paying the trades and manufacturers directly so payments will vary according to different trades and manufacturers policies and what is being purchased or billed.
Step 8: Design and Trades Implementation
If there is work to be done by trades, I will schedule this as soon as possible. I will manage the scheduling and oversee the work to make sure the design is executed properly and with the highest quality workmanship. Throughout the design process, I will manage all the details. I will make sure work my trades are underway or have been satisfactorily completed, all concerns have been addressed, furniture ordered, payments made, schedule on track, and no detail overlooked. I will schedule a brief meeting to review anything left outstanding or any changes that need to be made.
Step 9: Installation & Accessorizing
This is the part of the job where the vision becomes reality. All work by trades has been completed. At this point the furniture is scheduled for delivery, window treatments are installed, rugs are laid out, accessories are placed and art is hung. If at all possible I will arrange to have this installation and accessorizing process done in one day.
Styling is what elevates your space to magazine quality status. It involves adding finishing touches and follows a different process than the rest of the design. Before the installation I’ll go to a number of stores and choose various accessories for your space. This could include art, lamps, throws, vases, candles, and other types of accessories. On installation day I will arrange the items throughout your space. I will provide you with the cost of each item and you’ll have a day or two to decide what you want to keep. You’ll pay for what’s staying and I’ll return anything you don’t want.
Step 10: Refinement Punch List
Once the installation is complete, we’ll walk through the space and review each room together. I’ll compile a punch list of all the little things that are left outstanding or need attention (such as paint touch-ups or a needed item). I will have each item on the list addressed as quickly as possible. Once all the items on the punch list are completed, the project will have come to a close. I will then discuss plans for photographing the space.