Taking Your First Interior Design Project? – Quick Guide

What We Should Consider Before Taking On The Projects:

1. Prepare a rate list for different project scenarios.
   • Is it a full build project or just some part of their space?
   • Consider if maybe they just want to consult and get a 3D plan ready to do it by themselves.
   • Maybe they just want to consult about some cosmetic changes to apply some Vastu rules.
2. Make a brand, get some cards print. Create a basic website and list all the services you provide on your website and card.
3. It’s important to have a business card when you visit a client or a vendor.
4. Research our completion in Delhi NCR and look for more unexplored zones of interior design. Ie; as already discussed most middle-class families cannot afford an interior designer so what we can do to target such clients within their budgets.
5. If possible, List out all companies in Delhi NCR that target middle-class Indian families and study their approach.
6. Make sure you note every possible pros and con of the products as per their price range so that you can suggest your client better options as per their budget.
7. Prepare a list of available vendors and categorize them as per their price range.
   • Get ahold of catalogs for materials and home furnishings. Prepare a list of vendors with the price range.
   • Make a list of available mediocre to best quality brands for kitchen fittings, appliances, and bathroom fittings providers, get their catalogs/samples. Get their best price quotes from the vendors.
   • Get catalog or samples for titles, wooden floors, and stone. Get their price quotes.
   • Make a list of Glass providers in your area as per their rate list, get their catalogs/samples.
   • Make a list of furniture suppliers/dealers, so that we can visit them with the clients when we need to buy the furniture.
   • Get a list of contractors for civil work such as painters, electricians, flooring, false ceiling, or kitchen fittings, etc.
   • Get catalogs for normal to decorative lighting and make a list of available vendors with the price list.
   • Research for available rugs and carpets suppliers and prepare a vendor list.

Client Meeting Process:

Following up after the project completion is very important, it helps build up the reputation even you’ve done some mistakes. It will give you the chance to correct them and make a positive remark on your client.

This may involve a questionnaire, interview, or walk-through inspection with the client.  The designer may make adjustments and revisions to improve the result.  The evaluation may also be invited from peers.  Project evaluation should be repeated at intervals to measure user satisfaction and to increase professional knowledge for future projects.

1. Take brief about the requirements and make an agreement upon that, make sure you include all the terms and conditions about the project. Sometimes client gets confused and forgets to mention important details about what they want to do in their new home.
   • Discuss the budget.
   • Discuss the style of the interior as per the client’s taste.
   • The kitchen is the most used space in every home so make sure you meet the person who operates the kitchen and note every requirement they have about the kitchen.
   • Mention if they need a small workspace in their home, what their hobbies are if they have any special requirements for their elder or kids.
   • Ask if the client wants to follow Vastu rules for their interiors.
   • Show some projects online as per the client’s take for better understanding. 
   • Make a timeline for the project.
   • Make sure the client takes responsibility for every tradesman and purchasing.
2. Ask for the floor plan provided by the developer.
3. Start taking Measurements and click pictures of the site.
   • Add every window, door, pillar, and any odd space. 
   • Take pictures of the space for better visualization while working on layout.
   • Mark every electric socket/board to know where you can add lights and lamps.
   • Note the gas pipeline and water pipes placement.
4. Prepare a 2D/3D layout for the placement of every piece of equipment and furniture pieces.
5. Propose possible storage options while showing them the layout.
6. Finalize the finishing’s for the floor (tiles, marble, wood, etc.), furniture, and other textiles (bedding, curtains, cushions). You may need to visit some stores or your trusted dealers for this process. You can acquire catalogs from the dealers/company for the same.