HOW WE WORK

The first step in getting your project off the ground is having a consultation with Darren James or one of our qualified interior designers.

During this stage we’ll assess the property, review and consult on house plans and discuss your project requirements in detail. Together we’ll establish your individual requirements for the space, determine the functionality of the room/s, discuss layout possibilities, aesthetics, your must-haves and wish list. During this meeting, initial ballpark budgets will be discussed based on historical data from our previous projects and then a more firmer budget will be discussed and agreed upon at the end of the concept stage once the design and scope of work is further established.

During the initial consultation we will also sit down with you to run through our 10 Step Process in further detail, ensuring you fully understand how we work from beginning to end.

Following the initial consultation, we’ll present you with a Letter of Engagement which outlines the exact Scope of Works and pricing for our design services.

Prior to our meeting we will email you a pre-briefing questionnaire to assist us in gaining further information about you and the project. During the briefing meeting we will further develop the objectives to ensure they are clearly defined. A full survey including measurements and before photos are recorded.

During this phase we will develop a bespoke design concept uniquely tailored to the Client and their home. In our studio we will present the proposed design, preliminary scheme(s), proposed fixtures and fittings, and fabrics as well as 3D renders for our construction projects. We provide ONE round of revisions and ask that your feedback is shared all at the once, so that we can make these edits as efficiently as possible.

Once you are happy with the design and initial budget direction, we then move forward with design development and documentation. We complete 2D working drawings including floorplans, elevations, etc. as well as detailed specifications in preparation for Pricing Phase. Once again, we will meet with you to go through these detailed documents and will allow for ONE round of revisions as included in our flat design fee.

Once everyone is happy, the project (both construction and or furnishings) is handed over to our Estimator and Procurement team who nurture the project from a pricing and execution standpoint. For Construction projects, our Estimator will organize our Site Supervisor and relevant trades to go to site to review the extent of works. Once again, we allow for ONE round of revisions to the quotation as included in our flat design fee. The final construction quote will be presented to you in our studio and upon approval, a QBCC contract will be completed for the works.

Our business model is based on all purchasing and execution of the Project going through the Designer. The success of every Project comes down to impeccable organization, careful planning, attention to detail, and effective communication. Our dedicated Procurement Team look after all the planning, scheduling, ordering, quality control and warehousing of ALL furnishings in preparation for install day.

Our Project Coordinator and Site supervisor will be in regular contact with you through the build and/or renovation phase of your project. As licensed builders we handle the all construction and trade work ensuring a seamless schedule and workflow. Our experienced construction and site team are very talented and share a common goal and focus on delivering the best quality work.

On construction handover you will be given a full handover folder including a Practical Completion Certificate which deems the space as usable, meaning you can now use the space. At this time, all minor defects or minor omissions are noted and agreed upon. A timeline is also established for these to be completed.

Our Procurement Team have been tracking and expediting all orders, quality checking all deliveries, and busy scheduling out all larger deliveries ready for installation. On install day, we oversee the entire process ensuring items are installed professionally, quality checked, and all rubbish is removed. We handle the full install process and ensure the home is styled with our end vision in mind. Once again, if any further defects are noticed on delivery, these will be noted and followed up by our Procurement Team.

Your renovation might be complete, but we are still around. Six months following Handover, we will organize a follow up (bit like a doctor check up) just to make sure everything is still working as it should and to cover off any issues you may have.

 

Read more about our team

Initial Consultation – Fee $395*

Our initial consultation involves meeting with one of our qualified interior designers to discuss the scope of work and explore the project capabilities. *Travel fees may apply. 

Brief & Schematic Design  – Hourly Fixed Fee

Our hourly rate fee for preparation and presentation of look and feel board including briefing, schematic drawings and perspectives, preliminary selections and furnishings including mood boards. This phase of the project is charged at a flat rate of $240.00 per hour (inc. GST). Scaled 2D floor plans for furnishings layouts only.

Design Development & Documentation – Hourly Fixed Fee

Our hourly rate fee for development, documentation and pricing phase of the project is charged at a flat rate of $140.00 per hour (inc. GST). As a full service firm our fee for this service is charged at a cheaper hourly rate and does not include ownership.

Tendering / Pricing Phase – Hourly Fixed Fee

The project is handed over by the Design team to our Project Manager and Procurement team who nurtures the project from a pricing and administration standpoint. For you this means another set of trained eyes is reviewing the project and scope of works in detail. This phase is charged at a flat rate of $140.00 per hour (inc. GST).

Furnishing Purchasing – 

Furnishings and accessories are sold to the client at no more than retail price (suggested RRP or market value). In the case where a retailer has a current promotion, sale pricing will be honored at the time of purchase. Any trade or wholesale discounts received by Darren James Interiors cover our time in assuming liability for the project and providing our seamless, experienced full service Procurement & Install services. Where no trade or wholesale discount applies a 15% handling fee will be added.

Design Only 

We often work with our clients in collaboration with architects, building designers as well as other builders. Providing the project is the right fit for our company, we can offer a design only service. Fees for this service are quoted and are based on the level of intellectual property that is required to be handed over for the scope of the project.

CONSTRUCTION PHASE COSTS

As Licensed builders (QBCC Lic.1197127), we carry out and oversee the entire build and construction process for all of our designs. As part of the briefing process, it’s important we establish a feasible budget before commencing any design work. From our experience, establishing this budget from the beginning ensures both parties are clear on the project goal.

All costs associated with the construction phase of the project are provided in a detailed quotation, and once the design has been approved, will form part of a separate QBCC approved contract where relevant payment schedule and terms will apply. Payments are scheduled against set project milestones.