Thanks for following along with my Work Well with an Interior Design Professional series. I’m pleased to be sharing this information with my community. Whether you work for a new home builder or condo developer, are a home owner considering a consultation, or are a fellow interior design professional or student, we can all benefit from learning the ins and outs of the process of working with an interior design professional.

It’s time for a new installment: Step 6!

Need to catch up? You can read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here and Part 5 here. 

Read on to learn all about the exciting next step in the process, and feel free to COMMENT BELOW to let me know what you think or if you have any questions! 

Step 6: The Design Proposal Package Phase

At the end of Step 5 (the Pricing Phase), the interior design professional and client get together for a Meeting/Design Proposal Presentation #2.

At this client presentation meeting, the interior design professional presents a final, complete design proposal package. Their goal is to show the client all the details and costs involved with the project and to get a final approval and sign-off. This package includes everything from Steps 1 through to Step 5.

Yup, everything! That means:

• Space plan
• Finishes package (floor and wall tiles, flooring, wallpaper, trim and molding, doors and hardware, etc.)
• Fixtures package (task lights, decorative light fixtures, decorative hardware, plumbing, etc.)
• Paint/wall covering plan
• Custom millwork plans and details (cabinetry, wainscoting, wall panelling, custom book cases and other built-ins, fireplace surrounds, etc.)
• Floor covering plan (including any tile installation details for both floors and walls)
• Reflected ceiling plan and details (dropped or recessed, waffle ceiling, ceiling beams, etc.)
• Electrical, communication and lighting plans
• Sections and details as required for pricing and construction
• Pricing for everything and a final budget

All decision-makers are requested at this meeting, because it’s a very important meeting. Once everything is approved, we’re off to the races – moving forward with ordering and purchasing all the hard goods that have been sourced and getting ready for installation.

The presentation can be in the form of a face-to-face meeting or an electronic pricing package and virtual meeting.

You don’t want to rush this meeting, because there’s a lot to cover. Allow 2 to 3 hours for this meeting to review all finishes, fixtures, details and quotes.

If any design details need to be revised, book a follow-up meeting as required so the interior design professional can present all the revised materials.

That’s it for Step 6, and we can now get started on Step 7 of the design process – the purchase management phase, which involves the ordering and purchasing of all “hard” goods.

Stay tuned and watch my blog to learn more about Step 7!

Questions? Comments? Just comment below and let me know!