Undertaking a construction project is often an intimidating prospect for a client and so I work to dispel this from our very first meeting.
It is important to recognise that all projects, regardless of size, follow the same staged process which needs to be followed and managed.
Attempting to jump ahead to the more satisfying stages of product, furniture and finishes selection will ultimately result in problems as the fundamentals of a project will have not been addressed.
I take my clients through a staged process which is based on a simplified version of the RIBA Design Stages used in commercial projects. This can be summarised below:
Stage 1 – Project Brief
- Development of a client’s brief outlining their requirements and goals for their project
- Initial review of the feasibility of the project requirements
- Initial spatial layout options
- Review and recommendation of any other required members for the project team (may include a structural engineer, architect, Building Control/Approved Inspector, AV specialist, other trades)
Stage 2 – concept design
- Identification and development of client tastes, preferences and design direction via Pinterest ‘look and feel’ boards
- Development and selection of preferred proposed plan layouts
Stage 3 – developed design
- Preparation of scaled furniture layouts, electrical plans, kitchen layouts, bathroom plans & elevations
- Proposal, selection and specifying of sanitary ware
- Selection of hard fixed finishes, such as tiling, flooring, kitchen finishes and preparation of associated installation plans
Stage 4 – Technical design
- Development of the Stage 3 design to produce a detailed design pack required for the different trades, bespoke joinery design, Schedule of Works for like for like contractor pricing
- Issue of technical documentation on sanitary ware, electrical fittings, specialist equipment to contractor/trades.
- Selection of soft finishes curtains, loose furniture
- Bespoke joinery sketch drawings for pricing
Stage 5 – construction
- Contractor briefing and project set-up with client’s preferred/selected contractor,
- Project Management service and design coordination where required.
Stage 6 – Project handover and close out
- Monitoring and reporting on the contractors completion of the works
- Formal handover meeting following an inspection of the site which can be carried out alongside the client and contractor team and any ‘snagging’ defects raised and a plan for their completion agreed within reasonable timeframes.
- Coordination of soft furnishings installation where relevant
- Coordination of furniture deliveries where relevant
Find out more about me, REcreate, how I work, and the personalised service I offer.