Planning, Design and Construction of an Interior Renovation
Home renovation is one of the most popular ways homeowners make improvements to their home. It can include everything from ripping down walls to creating an open-concept floor plan.
Interior designers have extensive knowledge of building codes, regulations and ADA standards. They also have access to a larger supply base of “to the trade” materials that are often available at a discount.
The Planning Phase
The planning phase lays the foundation for your project, and is essential to avoid potential hiccups down the road. During this time you will outline your goals, set your budget, and gather inspiration.
During the design development process your designer will transform your basic plans into detailed schematic designs that include specific materials, structures and finishes. Your designer will also perform a walk-through of the space to get additional measurements and note structural details. This is where your renovation vision begins to take shape!
Your designer will create a specifications notebook that includes all final floor plans and specification sheets of finishes, fixtures and furnishings. They will request pricing from vendors and make changes to your budget as needed. Your designer may also start the bidding process by sending out invitations to general contractors and preparing bid packages for them.
This can be a very time-consuming part of the process, and it is impossible to provide an exact timeline for this phase as it depends on the project itself and the general contractor you choose. However, you can expect this to take at least a week.
The Design Phase
The design phase is where the big vision for your project comes to life. Your designer will conduct an on-site evaluation and take measurements, pictures or videos of the space to create a detailed plan that will meet your goals while staying within your budget range. Local building codes, zoning restrictions and other limitations are researched as well to ensure that the proposed work is appropriate for your property.
During the design development phase, the schematic designs created in the first step are refined to show more details, including furniture plans and finish selections. Your designer will also produce construction documents that specify the final design and provide them for pricing and construction purposes. Your designer will review them with you at a meeting, and may refine specifications or locations as necessary.
Your designer will also select materials, furnishings and accessories for the project. They will shop with a broader supplier base, and they will be able to offer you “to the trade” discounts that would not otherwise be available to interior renovation and design you. They will prepare a detailed schedule of work that may be in the form of a Gantt chart, and they will order all needed items and furniture. They will also inspect all delivered goods for damage, repair or return.
At this point, your designer will make periodic visits to your renovation site and meet with contractors to kick-off the construction phase, or attend meetings with you and your contractor to resolve issues that arise during construction. He or she will also be reselecting items, refining construction drawings as needed and sourcing new materials as required.
The Construction Phase
Once the design is complete, the construction phase brings the renovation to life. It includes purchasing the necessary materials, building permits and schedules contractor timelines, and it may involve the design team working on-site with contractors. It can take a few months to a year depending on the scope of your project, material availability and construction delays.
As the renovation progresses, the design team will be responsible for responding to general contractor RFI’s (request for information). They will also prepare a detailed set of construction documents that the contractor relies on to establish their bid and build your dream space.
Your renovation project will likely require a wider cast of specialists than a simple painting or carpeting job, such as engineers, plumbers and electricians, for example. Your designer should be able to recommend trusted contractors they have successfully worked with on past renovation projects.
Unlike architects, interior designers are trained to visualize a space in terms of both function and aesthetics and can sometimes lead a smaller scale renovation without an architect (especially if it involves no structural changes). They are also able to select from a wide range of “to the trade” resources at a discounted rate. Adding this level of expertise to your renovation can save you a lot of time and money down the road.
The Finishing Phase
After the design phase, materials, finishes and furnishings are selected and ordered. This can be hotel patio furniture customized a very exciting time as the project takes shape and begins to come alive.
This is also a critical time to review and refine the construction drawings and obtain any necessary permits. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, engineers or architects may be involved.
A building renovation often requires that the work be done by licensed and insured contractors and subcontractors, which will add to the timeline. Some projects require specialized craftsmen, such as plumbers and electricians. Some are seasonal, like outdoor projects and kitchens that must be completed while the weather is favorable.
Trim carpentry, such as baseboard, door and window casing and crown molding is installed in this phase. It is designed to give the space a finished, unified look.
If you live in an apartment, condo or townhouse, this is the time to notify your building management that you’re about to renovate. Then you’ll likely need to sign a work authorization form and meet with your board members or management to discuss the project. This is a critical process and could take several weeks. Once the work is underway, there will be frequent meetings with your interior designer, contractor and/or subcontractors. There will also be regular reviews of the progress and a schedule for completion.
