What Happens During a Design Consultation (& Why Every Renovation Needs One)
When we initially meet with a client about a renovation project (a design consultation), they are full of excitement about the changes they imagine and all of the ideas they have. Many have their tablet or phone ready to share ideas from Pinterest or other online resources.
They want to talk about all the fun stuff—colors, textiles, and the finishing touches. After all, isn’t that what we see on TV? The amazing transformation? But what actually happens to get to that point? A lot more than you might think.
Steve and I smile and look at the ideas, and then we apply the brake. Let’s start with a plan.
Why you need a solid design plan for your renovation
When we were running our design-renovate firm in Atlanta, I had no idea that so many people were completing their renovations without a design plan. Then, we moved to the Emerald Coast, and I spent a few months working in a design showroom as we re-established our business in the area. My eyes were opened!
In my tenure there, I often assisted customers who were about to start or – gasp! — were in the midst of a major renovation for their kitchen or bathroom. I was shocked to see that they were picking out materials one or two at a time as the GC asked for them.
I was horrified — how can they get a great result this way? I would say that 99% of people can’t. When design elements are selected piecemeal, the space is going to look that way. At the same time, I could also feel these homeowners’ pain, confusion, indecision, and overwhelm. It broke my heart a little each time to see them investing in their renovation and not having a plan that would guarantee the outcome they imagined.
Why does this happen?
Well, many GCs are great at the construction side of a project, but most are not interior designers. If your GC doesn’t partner with a designer, this means that planning and selecting materials is left to you—important decisions that must balance functionality, quality, your budget, your tastes, and work cohesively with everything else that is going on in the space. A task that is not most homeowners’ specialty.
This is precisely why I strongly recommend either working with a design-build firm (we’re a husband-wife, GC and Interior Designer team) OR, if you’re already working with a GC, to enlist an interior designer’s help with creating the design plan.
Signs that you’re ready for a design consultation:
You don’t know where to start, where to shop, or what to buy
Your Contractor does not have design help as part of his services and you need a plan.
You’ve picked out a lot of materials that you like, but you need verification that the finish materials you have chosen for your remodel work well and flow together
You don’t have time to deal with finishes and decorating your home
You want something different, something with a look that you haven’t been able to achieve on your own
What happens during a Design Consultation?
Okay, you’ve seen the value of a design plan. You have an idea for whether it might be right for you. Now, you’re ready to find out what Steve and I will discuss with you during our Design Consultation.
The initial consultation is an opportunity to get to know each other, understand your needs better, and to discuss initial ideas which we develop later into a custom design plan, tailor-made for your specific needs. This can be simple (a powder room) or more comprehensive (a master suite renovation).
Each appointment is unique, so some or all of these items will be discussed, depending on your project and needs:
We get to know you, your goals, your needs, and any specific requirements for the space you’re working on.
Discuss initial thoughts, ideas, and make suggestions for design direction
Review of your plans (if you have any) to discuss your style and lifestyle
Share initial recommendations for materials, such as colors, finishes, styles (let’s see those Pinterest boards)
Discuss a preliminary budget (Yes, we need this. How can we choose if we don't know whether we are shopping for a Toyota or a Lexus?) While you may not know what individual things cost, you probably have a good idea of what your bottom line should be.
Discuss project timeline.
Explanation of the design process, how we work and what to expect
Answer any other questions you may have
Major design work, materials, furniture selections, or re-arranging of furnishings is not done in the first meeting. We take all this good information back to our office and create the plan and resources list for your project. This takes time, thought, and artful balancing for your style, lifestyle, and budget.
When we’re done, we’ll set up an appointment to meet again and present our design plan to you and launch your project!
Note: If you have already chosen materials and are looking for input to refine and edit, we can do that. That service falls under the hourly services, and we will arrange to meet to review and give our suggestions for what you’ve selected.
How Can You Prepare for Your Design Consultation?
Have your ideas and inspiration organized to share. (What is most important to you? The colors, the textures, a specific item that you must have?)
Talk about your budget and be ready to share. This is so important to know when embarking on this type of project. Our happiest customers are those who did this, and we were able to land the project final bill on that target. We worked together to make that happen.
Be honest if you like the hunt and want to do the work/shopping yourself. There is nothing wrong with that, and we have services available to assist you if you want to “row your own boat.”
Still not sure if a Design Consultation is the best next step for you? Want to see if we’re the right fit for your project? We’d be happy to chat with you, no strings attached. Contact us here and let’s get to know each other.
Warmly,
Sarah