OUR DESIGN PROCESS
it’s all in the details
Interior Design has many steps and the interior designer wears many hats! Each step takes time, patience and attention to detail. It might be convoluted, but these steps are necessary to ensure the success of the project. If a layperson went out on their own to design a kitchen and they wrote down ALL the things that they needed & hours spent, it would be an eye opener. It’s guaranteed they’ve missed something and forgotten (or never thought of in the first place) details that are crucial. Stop walking around aimlessly at countless tile shops, slab yards, plumbing stores, etc. The list is endless! Let us help you get every detail right the first time.
Below is a timeline snapshot of our process for our Full-Service offering along with further information below. Larger scale projects such as whole home or from-the-ground-up will require additional steps.
We will schedule a complimentary 30- minute Discovery Call where we briefly discuss your needs, timeline and rough investment amount. This is also where we can get to know each other a little bit and see if we are the right fit for each other. You will also have time to ask any questions regarding our processes. If you’re feeling the love after the call, a paid in home 90-minute consultation will be scheduled.
Each potential project begins with a 90- minute in-home Design Consultation. A link for our intro Design Questionnaire will be emailed and will need to be completed before our meeting. You will take me on a tour through your home and the spaces we will be working on. We will discuss the scope of the project, additional needs & wants, colors, function, initial thoughts & ideas and your projected investment amount. We will also delve a little deeper into your answers from the Design Questionnaire, review any existing plans & answer any questions you may have. We want to get to know you and the way you live so we can put together the best plan for your project. It is always best to have all parties involved in the project to attend. The consultation fee of $375 is due prior to our meeting.
You will receive a customized proposal after the Design Consultation. The proposal will have a breakdown of what the project will entail from our discussions and will include an outline of services and fees. Upon signed approval (after any adjustments) of the Proposal, a detailed Letter of Agreement, AKA a contract, will be sent and will need your signature. HHID requires a 50% deposit based on your custom project rate and the signed contract prior to setting a start date.
Woohoo, let the fun begin! After receiving your signed Letter of Agreement with a 50% deposit and scheduling a start date, we hit the ground running! Your homework will be to include pins, pictures, tearsheets, magazine photos, etc., of what you gravitate towards. We will then schedule a time to perform a site measure of all rooms and any existing furnishings for the project & take photos. We will then start gathering all the goodies for your project and begin to put together concepts & a Design Presentation for you. Typically, you will be presented with 1 to 2 options per space. We strive to get the vision right the first time and know you’ll love what we present. After you choose and approve a design scheme, we make any revisions discussed, finalize a pricing and product list for budgeting, and finalize construction documents & renderings (if requested). The design development phase can take a minimum of 4-8 weeks or longer depending on the scope of the project. This phase is built as a custom project and billed as a flat fee. The final balance is due before the presentation meeting.
*Larger, full home projects will include a planning meeting, a concept presentation, and final presentations. The design phase will run much longer (months). Patience is key here!
Once we have finalized pricing and product lists you will have the chance to review them to ensure everything is within budget. You will be able to approve or decline items within the Design Files portal. Purchasing of all goods; to-the-trade only, retail, or otherwise, will be done by HHID to ensure this phase runs smoothly and on time. Regarding construction materials, such as paint, we will specify these items and the Contractor will take care of Purchasing these items. Purchasing is part of the project management phase (AFTER the Design Phase) that is required and is billed at an hourly rate. A 100% retainer for goods is required prior to this phase commencing.
Hello Home Interior Design is a mainly a full-service design studio. We believe being involved in every aspect of the process, from design to installation, is vital to the execution of our vision for your project. We leave no stone unturned and make sure every detail is executed properly. During this phase, we track & manage orders and deliveries, stay in contact with vendors, and communicate regularly with any Contractors & their subcontractors. We arrive for on-site meetings with Contractors to ensure future installation of materials & fixtures will be accurate & according to our plan and problem solve if anything is amiss. Last, but not least, we always stay in touch with you, our client, to keep you updated during the entire process. A retainer for management hours is required prior to this phase beginning. Project management (AFTER the Design Phase) is an additional service that is required and is billed at an hourly rate.
During construction, projectmanagement & installation occur simultaneously. We will always arrive for installation days, for items such as flooring, tile, cabinetry, lighting, etc. For furnishing projects, we coordinate a time when all furnishings, draperies, lighting, accessories, and artwork will be installed. Depending on the scope of the project, anywhere from a minimum of one day to several days will be scheduled for installation. Again, the Designer will be on-site during all furniture installation days to ensure products are unbroken and to coordinate proper placement of all items. Furniture installation is an additional service that is required and is billed at a daily rate according to your contract.