Design & Build: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Complete

Client’s often don’t know what to expect during the interior design process, so we’ve put together our guide to the 3 interior design work stages that we undertake across our residential and commercial projects.

What is Design & Build?

Design and build is a term describing a procurement route in which the main contractor is appointed to design and construct the works, as opposed to a traditional contract, where the client appoints consultants to design the development and then a contractor is appointed to construct the works.

First Stage: Enquiry Stage

First of all, we start on our first stage, Enquiry’s stage. Enquiry is a stage where designers are able to clearly understand a client's needs. This is a systematic investigation, usually undertaken for the benefit of the public. 

1. Survey

Before face-to-face meet with clients, we will ask clients to fill up a questionnaire which helps us get to know their preference. To get into the shoes of our client, it is imperative that we get to know them. 

2. Meet Up

After briefly understanding the needs of our clients, we will arrange a meeting between clients and designers. We do meet up with clients virtually or physically due to having a better understanding and having discussion. In order for us to create a personal design for clients, we need to understand our clients as much as we can. Therefore through a meet up, we have to clearly understand clients’ family background and their hobbies. We also went to the site and walkthrough to understand the site surroundings and the way clients hope for the design or renovation. Through meet up, we also will ask for the client's budget and goals which is one of the key features in deciding which design to go with. After confirming the appointment, we will collect a non-refundable deposit from the owner. This full amount of deposit is able to be deducted during the first payment.

3. Contract

After clients have agreed to hire us as their interior designer for the renovation of residential or commercial, we will issue a contract to protect both parties and collect 40% of the design fee. The full amount of deposit is able to be deducted during the payment. 

Second Stage: Design Stage

After understanding the client’s needs, we proceed to the design stage. 

1. Site Measurement

As interior designers before we start design, we are required to go to the site and have site measurement. We use a 3D laser scanner to scan around the building. 3D laser scanner will scan the site and help us to get a 360° site imaging for us to find the 3D Measurements in the Trimble 360 viewer. 

This is not the end of this scanner benefit yet. as this scanner captures images in forms of point clouds, it enables us to carry on the BIM modeling service. Below image shown is a HBD unit built with this service. The colorise is point clouds which guided us to shape out the site 3D visualization’s model. This scanner allows us to model the unit without taking site measurement in a traditional way. With this technology we can even trace the site piping, switch and ceiling lights location, to know more about 3D laser scanner, you may refer to:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3d-bim-modeling-service-iport-3d-interior-design-and-build-singapore/

2. Design

After we have the accurate measurement of the interior space and layout plan of the interior, we start the design journey. We start working for 7-15 days to come out with the concept, space planning and a draft 3D based on clients’ needs. For example, clients for Chiltern Drive ask for a 2 and half storey bangalore. These bangalore minimum need 7 rooms in total and each room has their own toilets. Clients also mentioned they hope for a modern and luxury style design’s bangalore. Therefore after we had completed floor plans in 2D Visualization, we also proceeded to make 3D Visualization for our clients’ perusal, to know more about 3D Visualization, you may refer to: https://www.3-d-interior.com/blog/3dvisualization This will avoid misunderstanding between clients and designers. 

3. Discussion

Before starting the design process, we also will gather around each party to know about every different demand. Everything that we select, right from finishes to flooring, tile, wooden pieces have to make sure they match the style as clients’ need. Apart from this, room layouts, fabrics, wall coverings, color selection, millwork and cabinetry, textiles and lighting is also taken care of.

4. Agreement

After the design is complete, we will have the second meeting with clients for the confirmation on the interior design. We will present moard board we had done and explain all the design concepts, material and usage for all spaces and furniture that we had designed or applied. After design had confirmed, we will collect another 40% of the design fees.

5. Drawings

Once clients approved the design, we started on preparing construction drawings and 3D views in 15-20 days. Detailed construction drawings include basic site plans, simple elevations, new floor plans, rough sections, specification of all materials applied, accurate dimensions and detailing. Construction drawings not only are sent to the client for review, meanwhile they are also important for the contractor during construction progress. After clients have confirmed with detailed construction drawings and documents, we will collect the remaining 20% payment design fee.

Third Stage: Build Stage

Design and build last stage is build stage. 

1. Contractor/ Inspection

We will find contractors and communicate with them for a better understanding of all the construction drawings and the construction process. We do provide construction and site supervision service. 

2. End Project

We have the responsibility to control implementation of all the tasks from design, choosing contractors, renovation works and selecting decorative items and lighting to end with a wonderful design. At the same time, we also have the responsibility to manage and instruct the site workers, setting goals for the team, and seeing projects through to completion of the project in the given time.

Conclusion

We, IPORT 3D Interior Design and Build Singapore will try our best to make sure every project is nicely completed within the timeframe and aim to deliver what you see in the design is what you get in the final !