What does interior design management involve?
If you’ve ever decided to embark on a refurbishment or renovation project and wondered what an interior design project management company could do for you, then I am about to give you the inside scoop. Usually before projects commence clients tend to do their research into whether they need a project manager, a interior designer, an architect and through this article I am going to tell you exactly what we’re able to do for you.
SP3 London is a luxury interior design delivery company based in London that focuses on the management of high-end renovations and refurbishments. We focus on luxury high end interior design and work on a variety of projects that require varying services . The services we offer include:
Project Setup and Early Planning
Design Management
Post Completion
If you’re interested to find out more about our services, please contact us.
We get asked quite a few questions from potential clients and so here are some of the most commonly asked questions, answered for you. This will help you to understand how we deliver true value and ensure our clients receive a successful end product.
What process is used to manage a client’s interior design project?
The process used for managing a client’s interior design project usually works in line with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) work stages 0-7. The RIBA’s structure enables an organised plan of work which includes briefing, designing, constructing and operating. This process ensures that when we work across a project, we can take it through from conception to completion without missing any of the required detail.
Source: https://dzen.co.uk/2020/03/03/riba-plan-of-work-2020/
How do we ensure we fully understand the clients aspirations?
As we follow the RIBA stages, we start every single one of our projects in the ‘strategic definition’ stage. We ensure each new project starts with a meeting to discuss with the client, their requirements. This ensures we understand each of their requirements and priorities. This particular session is one of the most important to a project and so we take our time to listen and discuss requirements ensuring we absorb each individual detail that will make the project a success for any client. With this initial brief it allows us to understand the design intent, expected quality, budget, programme and the order of importance.
How long does initial planning usually take on a new project?
After the initial session, to understand our client’s requirements, planning starts to commence and depending on the size of the project and the documentation needed this can range from a few days to around a week. We’ll always give you a time scale for when this is expected to be ready by for next steps.
How often do we report back to our clients?
We ensure communication continues throughout each stage and reports are issued when a specific update is needed or requested. We are extremely flexible and fluid in how we operate. This ensures clients are never left waiting for an update and you know exactly the stage at which your project is at.
If we assume the role of the project manager on the project, we report back to you on all aspects of the project, design update, costs, programme and contractors. You will be made fully aware of the status of your project on a monthly basis.
We also ensure communication is constant, there is no hard or fast rule, when we believe a client needs to be made aware of an aspect on their project, we’ll contact you. We also understand weekends are personal times, so we’ll try not to contact you across weekends if we can help it.
What type of contractors/expertise do we work with on most projects?
The specialist consultants you’re likely to find across most projects are architects, mechanical and electrical engineers (M&E), quantity surveyors, structural engineers, audio visual specialists, and then the more specific consultants such as lighting, landscaping and kitchen suppliers.
If we’re the project manager on your project we always ensure to recommend a couple of each specialist required. We’ll schedule a meeting to meet the consultants, ask for a fee proposal to be delivered and from there we will decide which specialist would be best for the project and provide our recommendation to you as the client. We will manage the entire process so you don’t have too.
How do we manage several different experts with different specialisms?
Each and every project has different specialists involved and depending on the type of project and size there can be numerous specialist contractors involved. The best way to manage these specialists is ensuring regular design team meetings are planned on site. This ensures we can directly assess aspects of the project right away and tackle any issues there and then.
What is the most difficult section of the design?
The most challenging section across any project is RIBA stages 3 and 4, which is the Developed Design and Technical Design stages. Both these stages are where we see your design planning, analysis, coordination, costings, strategy, technical design and design programmes come into play. At the end of Stage 3 the design needs to be frozen allowing the details to be worked up in Stage 4. If both these stages are executed well and everything is fully coordinated before anything starts on site, the project tends to have a smooth journey moving forward. All that’s left to do is to ensure the contractor builds to the details designed, however this again is a role that will take on on your behalf.
How does our role change across each interior design project?
As we specialise in the management of interior design projects and renovations, we tend to take on different roles across all the projects we work on. Most of our projects see us as the project manager, who has the sole role and responsibility for delivering the overall project. Across such a project, we’ll completely coordinate and manage everything to ensure the project is successfully completed. This also allows us to manage the design effectively and the smooth delivery of this.
If we’re not the project manager across the project we’re also experienced and qualified to take on roles such as interior designer and FF&E procurement agent. We work with other project management specialists to support them in completing their projects.
If you’re interested in understanding more about how we can help you across your project, then please contact us.
Recommended Articles
