Lifecycle of a Project: Initial Consultation
With 15+ years of experience, I have worked with hundreds of clients to provide customized design services. Our full-service design services include design development, project management, and procurement service to furnish a client’s space. Whatever the scope of a project looks like, we will deliver an innovative, yet practical design that meets the client’s budget and aesthetic goals.
Our five-step process—from initial consultation to final installation— is designed to deliver custom results to each client. In this article, we would like to discuss the first step in our process: Initial Consultation.
After an introductory phone call, we will schedule an hour-long meeting to walk through the space and discuss the client’s goals. At this meeting, we will do a lot of listening. Our goal is to understand the unique features of each space, including what the client loves about the space and what they hate. This is the client’s opportunity to identify likes and dislikes as well as existing components of the space that they want to work around—whether it be an antique rug or a wall that can’t move.
During the scheduled walk-through, we will provide initial ideas for the project, including a phased approach to completing the work when applicable. We’ll also discuss preliminary thoughts on a project budget with suggestions on how to create a budget if the client doesn’t yet have one in place. (Please see my article Design Refresh: Where to Start & What to Prioritize for more information about developing a project budget.) Lastly, we’ll need to establish a loose framework around schedule. Oftentimes our availability doesn’t align with the client’s desired timeframe, so it’s important to establish a realistic timeline upfront.
After our consultation, the client will receive a formal proposal for the requested work before moving to the next phase of the process: the Design Process. The proposal will include a comprehensive outline of the scope of work, the design fees, and the estimated schedule.
Please click if you are ready to schedule a consultation, see the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about my process, or contact me if you would like to discuss an upcoming project. And remember; from design conception to installation, we are here to support you!
