What can you do during that time between when you decide on an Interior design project, and the point at which you can actually afford to begin? A lot!
First, let’s take a look at that catchy word: “afford. “Contrary to quick assumptions, an Interior design project is much more than just a financial matter. An interior design project, of almost any size, is an expenditure in several directions. The important considerations – the affordable things – include money, time, patience, inconvenience, focus, and change; you need to see if you can afford them, just as one considers the affordability of anything. That list may sound like hair-splitting, but it is worth your thought, and a lot of pause.
And, those considerations differ, expand or decrease depending on the kind of project on the table, its size, its projected timeline, its initial scope, its possible subsequent plan, and any adjacent aspects. Is it a commercial project? Is it residential, medical, dental, corporate, retail or municipal? What special contingencies must come into play to accommodate particular circumstances?
Believe me, there are other points to be considered, but those above are sufficient to help take a look at what can be done before you choose your Interior designer, and before you sign on the dotted line!
Understanding the commitment to your envisioned Interior design project, in terms of combined complex affordability – not just financial affordability — is important, and is the best way to begin your planning process. For instance, if you are considering a commercial project, the complexity varies. Are you a small operation – perhaps yourself and two or three staff? The “inconvenience” you can afford is quite different than a company with 50-80 souls on board! In either case there must be a plan for inconvenient disruptions and possible temporary displacement! How much? How long? How?
In such situations, how will you manage your flexibility and the impactions upon, say, billable time, quality focus and performance? Disruption can just be chaotic, or it can be planned, anticipated, prepared for and managed in advance of the start of your Interior design project.
At home, there are other considerations. Depending on the scope and the areas of concern for your project – disruption will happen to some degree! Children and pets usually don’t appreciate change that is unusual, that interferes with routines and activities. Explaining to family members, not just that we are going to do some really nice things in the house, but clarifying what may be the actual impacts – tiny or not – on their space and habits. Bringing children into the excitement (as well as the temporary intrusions) can really help, once you launch.
Whether you are heading a company, a medical or dental practice, a home, a residential income property, a hotel or restaurant – your precious time will take a unique hit!
Even with appropriate delegation, you are still the top banana! You will have two sides of the fence to oversee, manage, sometimes cajole and sometimes referee! Not every moment of your Interior design project will necessarily be fun! At times, when you really need to focus on something else, you may have to multi task in a whole new way, and focus on choices and decisions that are just as time sensitive as what you were originally trying to focus on! AH! Can you afford the patience?
In the meantime, before your Interior design project begins in earnest, do as much preparation as you can. Examine your affordability ratio! Money, time, patience, inconvenience, focus and change are the main ones! But, if you need more, help is on the way!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.
