CONCIERGE SERVICES: DESIGN PROCESS

1. Contact us via phone or email and tell us what is important to you and what you would like to accomplish with your project. Think about why you want to hire an interior designer and how you see us assisting you.

2. If you like us, and we think our firm is a good fit for you and your project, we schedule the Preliminary Phone or Skype Consultation with Susan to discuss your needs in more detail. It is highly recommended that any financial and design decision makers participate in this conversation.

3. If you and Susan feel that working together makes sense, a Preliminary On-Site Consultation is scheduled. We confirm with you that any financial and design decision makers will be present. If a scheduling conflict arises for any of the decision-makers, we reschedule.

We walk through the project with you and ask detailed questions so we can prepare a Design Services Proposal. Here is what we accomplish during this consultation:

• Discuss your goals and desires for functionality, aesthetics, circulation, atmosphere, etc. for the space.
• Range of investment that is comfortable for you for your project.
• The Preliminary On-Site Consultation lasts approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours and is scheduled during weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
• Fee for Preliminary On-Site Consultation $250. This fee is applied to your Design Services Proposal should you decide to proceed with our firm.
• We provide a copy of our standard Interior Design Services Agreement for you to review. We suggest you prepare a list of questions and we will answer those during the second meeting.
• We set a time for the Agreement Review Meeting #2.
• Prior to the meeting, you receive a confirmation call to ensure all decision makers will be present at the meeting. If a scheduling conflict arises, we will reschedule the appointment.

Preliminary On-Site Consultation – Pre-Meeting #1

We review the Agreement in person or via Skype:

• Statement of Work for Space Planning & Preliminary Investment Estimate (furnishings and labor to implement the design)
• No-Surprises Design Fee (flat fee)
• Interior Design Services Agreement (standard responsibilities of both parties, terms and conditions)
• Initial Deposit
• If adjustments are required after this review, they will be forwarded to you for your approval, signature and deposit by mail or email.
• We will then schedule first meeting to begin project design work.

Client Interview & Site Documentation – Meeting #1

We review the Space Plan(s) and Preliminary Investment Estimate per room(s). Your approval is required for Space Plan(s) and the Preliminary Investment Estimate to proceed to the next phase.

Statement of Work #2 – Once you select and approve the Space Plans and Preliminary Investment Estimate, we then provide a Statement of Work #2 to reflect the final scope. When you approve the Statement of Work #2 with your signatures and deposit, we then schedule Meeting #3 two to three days later. We call to confirm that all financial and design decision makers are present. If not, the meeting is rescheduled.

Client Interview – Meeting #3

Now that you are excited about your space plan, we meet in person, by Skype or phone to understand your goals and desires for functionality, aesthetics, atmosphere, etc. We verify your preferences including colors, materials, finishes, types of fixtures, patterns, art, styles, etc. so we can complete the selections for your final design.

Visual Design Direction & Revised Investment – Meeting #4

We meet at your project to review the Visual Design Direction, present furnishings options and Revised Investment. We get your final feedback and approval for the investment range within which the ultimate design will be based.

Final Design Presentation – Meeting #5

We meet at your project location for the Final Design Presentation to review the following:

• Final Design – space plan, drawings and renderings (if included) to help you envision the final result
• Samples of fabrics and materials for you to touch and feel
• Pictures and images of all furnishings so you can see what is included
• Color boards painted with proposed paint colors and wallcovering samples
• Mock-ups for murals if applicable
• Detailed drawings/sample of custom furnishings or millwork (cabinetry and woodwork)
• Proposals for furnishings and finishes

We review each selection and the overall budget. You approve each proposal and provide a 100% deposit so we can proceed to the Purchasing Management Phase.

During this phase, we work on your behalf to manage the purchasing process. Once we receive your signed proposals and 100% deposit for goods and services at the Final Design Presentation, we take care of the hundreds and sometimes thousands of details for you.

This includes the following as appropriate to your project:

• Purchase orders – preparation, confirmations, acknowledgements and samples for approval.

Every element of our designs has tens to possibly hundreds of customization details that require expert attention when ordering. We take special care in ensuring all of these customizations are perfect.

• Scheduling – assist contractor as necessary in scheduling trades, manage all purchasing.
• Job site visits – to review design intent and details, observe progress, answer questions, resolve problems and expedite the construction process on your behalf saving you hours of time and hassle.
• Meetings with you, vendors, architect, contractors and subcontractors to coordinate, review design details and ensure that everything proceeds and is completed as designed.
• Expediting to follow up on orders to ensure everything is on schedule for installation and delivery (otherwise known as herding cats).
• Payments to vendors, subcontractors, freight and delivery companies and other suppliers as agreed. This is a huge amount of paperwork shuffling, and we handle all of this for you.

We coordinate the team, resources and installers so the disruption to you and your family is minimized.

• Inspection of goods prior to delivery – resolve any damage issues with the shipper or receiver on your behalf.
• Scheduling of delivery and installations – this takes careful coordination to make sure everything arrives at the right time.
• Observation of delivery and installations – we make sure that everything is done as promised and designed.
• Inspection after delivery and installations – to ensure that nothing happens during transit to your project, and that any problems are resolved on your behalf.

We make sure every last detail is handled on your behalf:

• Create Project Finalization List and review with you to make sure you are satisfied with the everything.
• Coordinate resolution of Project Finalization items.
• Project Review – we always appreciate referrals and testimonials throughout the process especially if we exceeded your expectations.