Project with supervision and cost estimate

Concept

Objective:

The concept serves as the initial phase of the design process, providing key guidelines for making informed spatial and aesthetic decisions.

At this stage, the primary focus is on developing a functional layout, which defines the arrangement of rooms, furniture, and fixtures to best accommodate the needs of future occupants while aligning with their design preferences.

Before selecting materials, finalizing wall colors, or choosing kitchen cabinetry, it is essential to establish a structured framework that will guide subsequent project stages.

This framework includes:

• Partition layout – defining spatial divisions through the placement of walls,
• Furniture arrangement – determining the functional layout of each room, specifying the dimensions of key elements such as sofas, wardrobes, dressers, and desks,
• Kitchen planning – positioning cabinetry and appliances to optimize workflow, ensuring sufficient countertop space and comfortable circulation,
• Bathroom configuration – determining the placement and sizing of sanitary fixtures, including bathtubs, shower enclosures, vanity units, and clearance areas for ease of movement.

Additionally, the concept establishes the design direction, including the overall color palette and stylistic approach that will define the final interior aesthetic.

Given the complexity of elements that must be curated based on budget, availability, functionality, and quality—and the iterative nature of the design process—this initial stage does not include specific selections of materials or furnishings. The concept does not equate to a finalized design with material specifications but instead provides a strategic foundation for making informed decisions in subsequent phases.

Deliverables of the Concept Phase:

• Functional Layout – proposed spatial arrangement with furniture and fixture placement,
• Kitchen & Bathroom Layouts – preliminary zoning and functional configurations,
• Annotated Floor Plan – technical drawings with spatial descriptions,
• Design Intent & Color Strategy – preliminary guidelines on color schemes, decorative elements, and styling opportunities,
• Lighting Plan – suggested placement of general, accent, and ambient lighting, including concealed and decorative lighting solutions,
• Conceptual 3D Visualizations – volumetric representations illustrating the proposed spatial layout and interior design vision.

Tenant Modifications

Objective:

For apartments:
If the interior design process begins at a stage when tenant modifications can still be implemented.

For houses:
If the interior design is developed during the architectural planning phase or the initial stages of construction.

The goal of this stage is to refine the concept phase to the point where structural and installation decisions can be made, including:

• Partition walls – defining the final placement of interior walls, determining if recesses are needed, adjusting door positions, or widening passageways.
• Electrical layout – optimizing the placement of lighting, outlets, and switches based on the finalized functional layout.
• Plumbing & drainage connections – specifying the locations of water and sewage outlets based on fixture dimensions and placement, such as bathtubs, shower trays, bidets, rain showers, single or double sinks, as well as the positioning of dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines.

Deliverables:

• Partition layout – proposed modifications to the layout of interior walls.
• Lighting guidelines – recommendations for lighting placement and electrical planning.
• Plumbing & drainage guidelines – specifications for water and sewage connections.

By defining these guidelines based on a well-developed concept, unnecessary expenses and delays during the finishing stage can be avoided. At this phase, all modifications remain on paper, ensuring cost-effective and efficient planning.

Example project of guidelines for architect

Cost Estimate

Objective:

The purpose of this stage is to determine the total budget required for all construction work and purchases necessary to complete the project.

A detailed cost estimate allows for:

• Adjusting the design and order lists to align with the planned budget,
• Monitoring expenses throughout the finishing phase,
• Gaining full transparency on the cost breakdown of each furnishing element and room,
• Modifying selections of materials, suppliers, or fixtures using a structured Excel spreadsheet for easy adjustments.

Deliverables:

• Preliminary millwork drawings for cost estimation,
• Initial construction drawings, excluding detailed material specifications (to be finalized later in the project) but including estimated quantities of tiles, flooring, baseboards, etc.,
• Preliminary guidelines for contractors, including flooring installers, wallpaper specialists, plaster artisans, stoneworkers, and all necessary trades required to execute the approved concept,
• Estimated material quantities, including finishes, fixtures, moldings, and other key elements,
• Summarized cost estimates for all proposed furnishings, appliances, and interior elements included in the design concept.

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Selection of Finishing Materials

Objective:

At this stage, we curate a comprehensive selection of finishing materials that will enable contractors to begin work. The initial focus is on selecting wall and flooring materials as well as bathroom finishes, ensuring that a complete specification is prepared for the contractors along with an order list. The selection process is guided by the design concept and the budget outlined in the cost estimate.

Deliverables:

• Materials for floors, walls, bathrooms, door joinery, baseboards, and recessed lighting,
• Detailed material specifications, including name, model, dimensions, color, finish, unit price, and purchasing source,
• Selection process carried out in interior design showrooms,
• Presentation of proposed materials, with modifications available as needed to refine the selection.

Assistance with Order Processing

Objective:

To streamline the process and relieve clients from the burden of communicating with stores, visiting showrooms, handling emails, and managing phone inquiries, I can facilitate the preparation of ready-to-pay orders.

• Clients receive a finalized order summary for payment,
• As part of design supervision, I oversee logistics and delivery coordination, ensuring seamless communication with suppliers so that clients do not have to manage transport schedules or follow-up on shipments,
• I ensure materials arrive at the optimal time, preventing unnecessary on-site storage while aligning with the project timeline,
• For online orders, I provide a curated list with direct links, allowing for quick and convenient purchasing without the need for searching through multiple vendors.

Contractor Guidelines

Objective:

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that every contractor involved in the project understands the scope of work and the expected final outcome. If I am working with a contractor for the first time, the guidelines include highly detailed instructions to eliminate any misunderstandings regarding finishes and design details.

As part of design supervision, I maintain continuous communication with the construction teams, directly addressing any challenges that arise. When client decisions are required, I first develop possible solutions before presenting them for final approval.

Deliverables:

• Functional layout – includes the placement of furniture, appliances, partition walls, and built-in elements (e.g., drywall structures).
• Lighting and electrical layout – specifies locations of lighting fixtures, switches, and outlets, including smart home integration where applicable. The document also details the power supply setup for specific light fixtures and outlines the switch configurations (single, double, staircase, crossover, or specialized).
• Flooring layout – a detailed breakdown of flooring materials, including tile patterns, wood planks, and decorative finishes.
• Wall finishes – specifications for decorative elements such as moldings, panels, stone, wood, or other materials.
• Necessary wall sections – technical drawings for walls incorporating tiles, decorative cladding, built-in structures, etc.
• Kitchen functional layout – optimized placement of appliances and storage.
• Kitchen electrical plan – precise positioning of electrical outlets, especially in relation to the countertop and appliances.
• Kitchen plumbing points – locations for water and drainage connections.
• Bathroom functional layout – arrangement of sanitaryware and furniture.
• Bathroom electrical plan – outlet and switch placement with precise alignment to grout lines, countertops, and cabinetry.
• Bathroom plumbing points – connections considering specific sanitary fittings and fixtures.
• Bathroom tile layout – detailed wall tiling plan.
• Specifications for all finishing materials – a comprehensive list of materials to be used.
• Guidelines for air conditioning installation (if included in the project).
• Guidelines for fireplace installation (if applicable).
• Guidelines for staircase construction (if applicable).

These guidelines ensure a smooth execution process, helping contractors work efficiently while maintaining high design standards.

Guidelines for Carpentry

Objective:

The goal of this stage is to prepare detailed guidelines for contractors responsible for custom carpentry, glass installations, metalwork, and stone elements. These guidelines include all necessary information to execute the design accurately.

For cabinetmakers, I provide technical drawings specifying front panels, detailing unique grooves, moldings, and internal wardrobe/shelving organization. During on-site consultations, we select colors, handles, and finishing materials together. At this stage, I also present countertop options and coordinate with stonemasons on custom elements.

Deliverables:

• Kitchen cabinetry drawings – detailed plans for custom-built kitchen furniture.
• Kitchen-specific joinery plans – technical drawings for cabinetmakers/kitchen studios or selection of pre-made elements.
• Countertop selection – dimensions, material type, color palette.
• Appliance selection – specifications for built-in and freestanding kitchen appliances.
• Built-in wardrobe designs – front elevations, internal layout, materials, partitioning, dimensions, and handle choices.
• Custom joinery plans – technical drawings for bathroom vanities and other made-to-measure furniture.
• Walk-in closet designs – detailed layout or selection of pre-made modular systems (e.g., IKEA PAX, Elfa).
• Wall paneling and decorative finishes – selection or custom designs for wainscoting, wall cladding, wallpaper, and decorative plaster.
• Paint color selection – specified for each wall using professional color swatches, clearly listed for contractors.

These detailed technical specifications ensure seamless execution and a high level of precision in all built-in elements.

Furniture & Lighting Selection

Objective:

At this stage, we finalize the selection of furniture and lighting fixtures that do not require built-in installation. Items are sourced from furniture and lighting retailers, with careful attention to fabric choices, wood finishes, and other material details, which are selected directly from suppliers or material sample books.

Deliverables:

• Furniture specifications
• Lighting specifications
• Upholstery & textile specifications

Each specification includes:

• Product name
• Dimensions
• Color
• Price
• Recommended or suggested retailer

Assistance with Furniture & Lighting Orders

Objective:

Similar to finish material procurement, I assist clients in streamlining the purchasing process for furniture and lighting. Clients receive a pre-prepared order form ready for payment.

As part of the design supervision process, I also manage the logistics of deliveries and transportation, coordinating directly with suppliers to handle scheduling and order details.

For online purchases, I provide a curated list of links, allowing clients to place orders easily without the need to search for retailers or product details.

Author supervision

Design Supervision (Author’s Supervision)

Objective:

The purpose of design supervision is to maintain direct communication between the client and designer throughout the construction and finishing process. This allows for quick responses to concerns, efficient problem-solving, and provides a point of contact for contractors in case of any questions or clarifications.

Scope of Design Supervision:
As part of the project with supervision, I:

• Review the Contractor’s Guidebook with various teams, including construction crews, carpenters, glaziers, and flooring specialists.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the contractors to address any unexpected visual or design issues.
• Monitor finishing works, ensuring alignment with the design vision.
• Introduce adjustments to the project, if necessary, to accommodate unforeseen site conditions or material limitations.
• Act as the primary contact for contractors, addressing any doubts or execution-related questions.

Supervision Tasks:

• Continuous communication with the construction team
• Resolution of unforeseen visual challenges
• Monitoring finishing works for adherence to design specifications
• Adjustments to the project based on unexpected constraints
• On-site problem-solving as issues arise

Important Notes:

Design supervision does not include the resolution of structural or construction-related issues nor the management or inspection of building works. These responsibilities fall under the construction manager or the qualified contractor’s representative, who possesses the necessary expertise and credentials.