Guide to interior design project stages

Preparatory stage (before being appointed):

  • Review relevant information from the Client to confirm the Client’s strategic brief

  • First FOC meeting / on site if possible (no charge to client)

  • Preparation of Provisional Design Fee Estimate

  • Approval of Estimate by Client, agreement of T&C, and appointment of service

Stage 1: Preparation and Brief

Includes the development of the project objectives including overall visual direction, project research, clarifying and agreeing the brief, concept meetings with the Client, Contractor and other professionals where applicable, agreeing scope of works and reviewing specification

  • Establish design direction through visuals, source and presentation

  • Conduct site survey, measure areas if required / if plans not available

  • Define team, prepare the Responsibility Matrix, address any planning permit requirements

  • Review tender document with clients and other trade professionals to ensure scope of works/ specification covers all aspects of design

  • Review of Provisional Fee Estimate for design fees reflecting project brief

  • Provision of estimate for FFE/ Infrastructure / Interior finishes for project

  • Produce project timeframe

Stage 2: Infrastructure / Interior Finishes

Includes finalisation of space planning, furniture layouts, electrical and lighting layouts based on furniture layouts, bathroom design, all other aspects of designing the interior infrastructure, sourcing and design for hard finishes

  • Review space planning and room utilisation for all areas together with client and architect

  • Design furniture layouts for all rooms

  • Review radiator positions if specified in conjunction with furniture layouts where required

  • In conjunction with furniture layouts establish small Electrical power layouts, provide full layouts

  • In conjunction with furniture layouts establish lighting plan to include circuits and switching, provide full Lighting layouts.

  • Design bathroom layouts, plans and elevations with set out dimensions for plumber based on chosen sanitary ware

  • Work with client and professional on kitchen design , layout, choice of materials

  • Work with electrician to establish type of fitting Source/ propose type of switch plate/ socket. Source light fittings where applicable

  • Establish audio / home cinema requirements, audio visual proposal to be supplied by specialist, review setting out of ceiling speakers in conjunction with lighting layout

  • Compile floor finishes schedule specifying type of material

  • Source all floor finishes

  • Compile wall finishes schedule specifying type of material / or paint colour

  • Design internal door styles, architraves and skirting, provide drawings for contractor

  • Source ironmongery

  • Design architectural details (staircase, architrave, skirting)

  • Provide joinery visual references and design for wardrobes and other areas

  • Sourcing and specifying of sanitary ware & brassware

  • Freeze space plan & design concept

  • Review of budget and fees

Stage 3 – FFE - Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

Includes development of material and furniture selections and interior schemes, presentation will be made in the form of packs, can be supported with 3D drawings if required at an additional cost

  • Design schemes for each room to include sourcing furniture, soft furnishings, window treatments

  • Administration of design schemes, placing and-co-ordination of orders and deliveries, obtaining all estimates, supplier liaison, providing specifications where applicable

Stage 4 – Meetings, Liaison, Co-ordination of project (construction stage)

Includes regular progress meetings with clients for stage 2 and 3.

  • Review of budget & fees

  • Check contractors insurances

  • Monitoring works when project is underway at regular intervals

  • Monitor variations

  • General Client meetings and liaison to discuss and sign off all decisions pertaining to the infrastructure of the house, liaison with other trades and contractor

  • Site meetings- liaising with Contractor, client and all trades to ensure project brief and works are being implemented as agreed

  • Client meetings and liaison to approve all proposed design schemes – FFE This may include sourcing trips with client for furniture, soft furnishings and kitchen design

Stage 5 – Installation

  • Hard case goods - accepting deliveries, inspecting, overseeing installation

  • Soft furnishing - accepting deliveries, inspecting, overseeing installation prior to snagging

Stage 6 - Handover

  • Carry out visual site inspections, Issue a schedule of defective works

  • Liaise with the Client, the Other Client Appointments and the Contractor in relation to the making good of defects

  • Inspect the remedial works following receipt of notice from the Contractor that the resolution of defective works is complete

  • Certify when the defective works have been rectified

  • Assist the Client and the Contractor to agree the final account and issue the final certificate

  • Project photography (with Client’s permission)

The document is prepared by Anastasia Antonova, in line with RIBA and BIID guidance