Let’s say you had a clear vision in mind concerning your commercial or residential design project. It was to be completely new construction, a remodel, an addition or simply the refreshment of an existing environment. You consulted several trusted associates about feasibility and practicality, and were excited to get going.
You speculated about how to move ahead, you looked at financing, and you even debated the degree of outside help you actually wanted, could afford, or needed. Could you manage it alone? How would you start? Do you know where to begin? And then — disaster.
The process of turning a dream into reality can be daunting – even under excellent circumstances. Learning exactly what to do and exactly what is involved presents an entirely new approach with entirely different ramifications.
It would be wise to carefully look at the demands of the new project and how to meet those demands while also keeping your status quo in balance – job, career, family, etc. Each decision you make affects the next one, like baking a cake. Except this is an entirely new recipe.
It is important to know your limitations, and to recognize when it is prudent and economically sensible to get the right help you need at the right time.
Appropriate professional design services bring important elements to the project. Your experts have experience with disastrous and unexpected circumstances, experience in the specialized field, knowledge of and access to essential resources.
There are many levels of help available to every recovery project. Depending upon your personal level of experience, knowledge of the project components, and financial readiness, your project may require only informed consultation.
In that case, your consulting design professional will be sure you don’t fall into typical prioritization traps. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Don’t make incorrect choices in a sincere effort to save money – choices that might prove unwise and very expensive at a future time.
The professional design field can provide a wide range of assistance from consultation through full project coordination, design, planning, purchasing facilitation, installation and all detail management. The client has the assurance that their professional team is functioning as advocate in all aspects.
Post-disaster compliances for demolition, and preparation of your site for rebuild, must be addressed. Bringing a project from vision to installation should be an exciting experience. It now is much more complicated. The more limited your relationship is with the appropriate outside services, the less responsibility and protective professional oversight there will be for both the integrity of the project and the mandated compliances.
Money is a big factor, of course. But if money is the sole driver of choices and decisions, possibilities will seem limited. And that is where experience, creativity, familiarity with available resources, and knowledge of materials is vital. Your design team will have your vision in mind – and a myriad of options on how to make it happen within your budget restraints. That is where communication and trust come in. That is where – together – you and your team overcome the damage of the disaster.
Communication and trust are vital in the relationship. From the first conversation and throughout your project’s ups and downs it is important to be frank about feelings, questions, and surprises including the possibility of even more unforeseen changes.
Go it alone or seek professional design help? It’s a big question with big consequences. The ultimate decider is you on which path to take: limited consultation or full project assistance. Either way, valuable guidance, advice and support from the relevant professionals will help you sleep better at night; and that’s a fact.
