Project Process - Our Services
14th of January 2020INTERIOR DESIGN
Tobias Oliver Interiors have a wealth of experience working on a multitude of projects – from smaller scale one-room projects or one individual bespoke piece of furniture, through to 20,000sq ft + full home interior architecture and design projects.
We are always excited to receive new clients, and the challenges they present us with. Every project has its own design nuances and we work hard to maximise the opportunities these offer.
Typically, we will aim to work to the following process, but we are happy to be flexible and work in a way that suits our clients best.
THE BRIEF
We would typically start the process by having an initial meeting at our showroom and studio in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Here we learn as much about you and your design aspirations for your project to gain a full understanding of the full scope of work needed. For example, any drawings to which you are working and contractors you may have already engaged.
At this point, we utilise our experience and knowledge to explore the creative and practical feasibility of your aspirations and work these into our initial plans whilst considering the financial budget and what is possible within your home/site. This helps aid us to assess the projects full potential and encompass all of your requirements to achieve all of your desired goals.
Following this meeting, depending on the scale of the project, it can be useful to carry out an initial site survey. The cost of this is £250 + VAT. This is redeemable against the design fee.
THE DESIGN FEE LETTER (DFL)
Once we have gained a full understanding of all your requiremnts, we will outline these requests and the proposed services we will provide for you, within a Design Fee Letter (DFL).
We work with a close, attentive and agile service, taking the time to understand your needs and lifestyle requirements, and tailor our bespoke services specifically to your prerequisites. We understand that your wishes may change over time and we therefore welcome your feedback at any time, and we will help work with you to find alternative solutions, as necessary.
We take each project on an individual basis and present you with our design fee based on the amount of time we believe is needed to carry out the design work. This service includes creating mood-boards, working drawings packages, choosing fabrics and finishes, suggestions for styles of furniture, cabinetry, lighting and accessories, procurement, full project management and liaising with contractors and suppliers. This acts as our agreement, with you as our client and us as your designers and the basis of working on the project together.
The DFL sets out:
- Our services
- Your requirements
- Our fees
- Costs on account and payment terms
- The Contract
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Once the DFL and Contract have been agreed and signed we begin design and administrative work. A brief overview follows below:
Our time during the design development encompasses an array of services, including; creating floor plans, elevations, technical drawings, bespoke drawing packages for cabinetry, furniture, electrical layouts, full specifications of finishes and fabric schedules, sourcing materials for upholstery and furnishings, and liaising with all contractors and suppliers to ensure the Estimate we present to you with is accurate.
By working with us, we are able to design, create and provide you with your ultimate design aspirations, and guide you with informed choices and judgements throughout the project.
We are happy to work collaboratively with you throughout the scope of work involved or to the contrary we are happy to lead the entire project if you prefer not to be too involved.
THE PRESENTATION
Once the above has been finalised and approved, we will invite you to our lifestyle showroom and studio where we will present you with our designs, for our discussion. Your honest feedback at the presentations is welcome so we can ensure we work collaboratively together to realise your ultimate design aspirations.
Ultimately, our goal is to meet and surpass the original brief and expectations, creating aspirational interiors specific to the lifestyle you have expressed your home to reflect. We create design solutions that are of course comfortable and functional but encompasses all of your requirements.
THE ESTIMATE
The Estimate is split out for each room of the house being designed and collated in a precise and detailed Estimate document where we are able to demonstrate where your budget has been correctly invested. The Estimate will detail all elements required for the project to be a success.
Once you have agreed the Estimate and an initial deposit has been paid, the procurement and project management can commence. All supplier and contractor purchase orders will then be placed and closely monitored to ensure your expectations are upheld throughout the entire project.
PROCUREMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We charge a procurement and project management fee, which is % applied to the total net Estimate value. The % depends on the project size. Included in this cost in the overseeing of the installation by Tobias Oliver and members of the Tobias Oliver Interiors team.
All of your purchases that have been agreed in the Estimate are thoroughly checked and carefully stored at our our fully insured storage facility.
Once the site is ready to accept the procured items, our team will oversee the white glove installation at your property.
CONTRACT
As Interior Design Professionals, we work to the standards set by the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and The Society of British Interior Design (SBID). As such we are subject to their Code of Conduct in relation to complaints or unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence.
Our contract has been specifically designed to enable the client and the designer to agree the terms and conditions of a contract between them for the provision of interior design services reflecting a reasonable balance of each party’s interest for a project.
NEXT STEPS
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions as to how our design process works. We would be delighted to work with you, and look forward to helping you meet your design aspirations in your home.
