six reasons Interior designers are on site in construction
Interior design management in construction phase
As interior designers, we’re here to deliver our designs right through the construction phase, not just the design phase. In fact, the construction phase is where we really come into our own. We’re on site to address unexpected challenges that arise during construction. This proactive approach minimises delays and budget overruns.
Here are six reasons we might be making a site visit to your project during construction.
1. Electrical set outs
While we provide full electrical plans for your builder and electrician to follow, we’re on site to do a final confirmation the placement of electrical outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures to ensure they align with the intended use of each room. Sometimes things change during construction and alterations have to be made; we’re there to ensure the layout and functionality of your home is still top priority. This includes considerations for kitchen appliances, entertainment centres, workspaces and more.
2. Plumbing set outs
We always collaborate with the plumbers on your project to ensure that the fixtures we’ve selected for your home are installed correctly. From ensuring the correct items have been delivered to site, to confirming the heights of taps and shower heads and the location of floor wastes… we consider every detail. Just like with electrical set outs, things can change during construction and sometimes affect plumbing placement that we’d originally designed in our drawings. We’re there to adapt if needed, and make the correct decisions for the overall style and functionality of your home.
3. Tiling set out
We draw the exact size and pattern of your choice of tile into our highly-detailed bathroom and kitchen drawings, however we like to confirm things on site with the tiles in hand. We’re there when the tiler is first on site to ensure that tiles are installed in the correct locations and patterns and we assess where tile cuts should be made, if required in the design. We’ll also be there with our grout colours to confirm with the tiler.
4. Joinery
We thoroughly check the shop drawings sent to us by your chosen joinery company. Shop drawings are the set of drawings that the joiner creates from our original design and drawings, but with all the technical specifications to be able to go through their manufacturing process. We check the shop drawings to ensure our design is still being achieved, and feedback any required changes to the joiner. We’re then on site to check the joinery installation.
5. Stone
Your choice of bench top - whether it’s natural stone or composite stone - is often the wow factor in your kitchen, laundry or bathroom. Therefore, it’s important all design choices such as edge profile and overhang have been considered before the stone is cut and manufactured. We’ll thoroughly review the shop drawings from the stone mason, then once your joinery is installed we’re often on site with the stone mason when they’re doing their final measure. We discuss intricate details, such as where to make cuts in the bench top of a long kitchen island. These considered decisions make all the difference to the final design outcome of your home. We’re then on site to check the stone installation.
6. Fixtures installation
We include your exact choices of fixtures (such as joinery handles, knobs, robe hooks and towel rails) into every one of our drawings, ensuring that size and location is correct. However, often it’s best to confirm locations and heights by eye on site. We’ll be on site with the joiner to confirm all of these details. This attention to detail enhances the end result and ensures every handle and fitting is at the most ergonomic height for you.
The construction phase is when months (sometimes years!) of work and designing finally comes to fruition, so we like to be on site to check out the latest progress. Ultimately, making multiple site visits lets us ensure that our designs are implemented and executed seamlessly on site, resulting in the best outcome for your home.
Our site visits are included in our end-to-end interior design service fees - from concept to completion. Feel free to contact us about your upcoming project:
