The 10 Step Design Process
Step 1- Consultation with Rban Interiors
One of our team members will meet with you in your home or business for a collaborative client and designer interview. At this initial meeting, we will decide together if your project is a good fit for our team. We will provide you with expert design advice and recommendations for your project. We will further discuss details such as your design aesthetic, how you will be using the space, what inspires you, your time-frame for completion, and your budget. Finally, our team will review the Design Contract which you will sign later. See our consultation service page for more details.
Step 2 - Fee Proposal Outlining Project Scope
A member from our team will meet again with you to outline the scope of work for the entire project, the estimated design fee, the estimated timeline. The Fee Proposal is approved and initial advance on the design fee received to signal the start of the project. The contact is also signed at this meeting. The Fee Proposal needs to be approved and paid before she will begin your Design Plan and Presentation.
Step 3 -Site Measure And Planning Day
This is where all the trades are invited onsite to take measurements and photos. They will each provide an estimate for the cost of labor and/or materials. These estimates will be presented to you in the Final Design Plan Presentation.
Step 4 - The Design Plan
This is where our team takes the time to design your unique project. We will start with a design concept which is further developed through sketches, materials, and color schemes. Our team will also source all fabrics, fixtures and furnishings. During this step we will work closely with our trades who provide estimates for their scope of work. An initial budget is also developed during this step.
Step 5 - Presentation of Design Plan
This is where Rban Interiors will meet with you to discuss the details of your custom design plan. This includes all drawings, color scheme, fabric samples, furniture selections and budget breakdown including estimated costs for any work by our trades. Any revisions must be requested at this meeting. This is when 75% of the furnishings budget is required. In some cases, 100% of the budget is required.
~A follow up Presentation Meeting, also known as the (Final Design Plan Presentation) is sometimes needed if revisions were requested. This involves all the approved elements from the original Design Presentation, plus any new elements that were agreed upon and any revisions requested. The Final Design Plan Presentation includes working drawings, color scheme, all furnishings, fabric samples, paints, etc. It will all be laid out for you so that you will be able to visualize what the finished space will look like. Any adjustments to the budget due to revisions are agreed upon at this meeting.
Step 6 - Project Management
This step is where Rban Interiors will initiate collaborating with builders, vendors, fabricators and other contractors, and making the necessary site visits to ensure a successful process and completion.
In this step we will also create all purchase orders, track orders, assess lead times, note any back-orders or discontinued items that may delay the project, and make decisions whether or not to re-select. During this time, our team will make sure that our projected timeline is adhered to by all vendors as well as possible.
Step 7 - Receipt of Orders and Initial Installations
This is where all items we ordered are received at the warehouse, inspected for damages, tagged and stored for the big installation day. Claims and reorders are made for any items that arrive damaged. Rban Interiors prefers to install on one day instead of several different deliveries arriving onsite, however, some custom items like window treatments will be installed prior to the big day. The project balance owed is required at this time.
Step 8- Installation Day
This is the big step when items are installed and styled for a unique and inspiring finish. Installation is typically done in one day. This is also the exciting moment when Rban Interiors will walk through the finished space and point out all the features and benefits of each item, discuss how to care for each piece and any warranties available (if any). There will be outstanding invoices from delivery companies which we will presented to you.
The final walk-through will hopefully happen on the same day. Although we strive for perfection, mistakes can happen. The final walk through is where the client gets a chance to point out any deficiencies observed - Items like a small splash of paint on the floor, missing dresser knob, a small rip on a pillow etc. Items that could have easily been missed during the exciting moment of the reveal.
Step 9- Resolving Deficiencies
Rban Interiors will coordinate with the trade person, subcontractor, or vendor involved to cure any deficiencies. Thankfully, this step is not needed in most cases, but we will make sure that you will be happy with your finished space.
Step 10- Client Closure Meeting & Photography
This is where Rban Interiors will meet to close out the file for the project and where she will present you with the final invoice. Our team will also graciously ask for any feedback, reviews and referrals, and discuss any additional projects you would like to move forward with.
Our team will also discuss a convenient day for us to schedule a professional photographer to shoot pictures of the project. If she intends to have these pictures published in a local or national publication, she will discuss that with you and determine if you want your name disclosed or not.