Prerequisites Before Starting An Interior Site

room decor




  • Site documentation 

  • Communication with the client

  • Design concept

  • Detailed drawing

  • Work staging

  • Work administration

  • Site documentation

This involves measuring the site and marking all existing elements such as:

  1. Height of existing doors and windows
  2. Demarcation of columns and down beams with sizes. This will help you to design your roof well.
  3. Floor-to-ceiling height.
  4. Existing water outlets in utility areas.
  5. Collect photos and videos of the current site.
  6. Structural integrity if necessary.
  • Communication with the client

Use clear and concise language to communicate with your clients. This will help both of you better articulate each other’s goals for the site and build trust.

Following, Get site requirements from the client Before starting the design, a questionnaire can be done to completely understand the client and his vision towards the space fully. Let them tell you how they’re expecting the space and what their style, budget, and time goals are.

Along with this finalize the working terms and conditions as in each other’s scope of work so that the client will know what to expect from you and you know what to expect from the client. a great way to begin by explaining your role in the design process. Discuss fee structure and at what stage it will be processed. Always know that clear communication and acknowledging the client’s perspective are the keys to building a great site.

  • Design concept

Create an appropriate design solution with a layout and concept plan highlighting the main strengths of the layout and the client’s idea therein.

  1. Always include concrete visuals rather than abstract concepts.
  2. Mark the circulation of each space.
  3. Create a material board.
  4. Be ready to communicate with the design choices. 
  • Detailed Drawing

Once the concept is finalized prepare detailed drawings including working layout plans, electrical, plumbing, ceiling and lighting details, furniture details, and floor details, and add structural elements if any. Add floor sections and elevations for more details. Once all the detailing is done cross confirm everything with the client again to have a hassle-free execution further. If required prepare a BBQ depending on the client’s budget.

  • Work staging

Staging is important to know which work will be done and when. This makes the execution process easier and the client will also know when to engage the specific team. Make a chart stating each task, their timing and relationship, materials required, contractors required, and the time taken to complete the task. here is the general staging I follow in my projects:-

  1. Civil work (demolition & dismantling work)  
  2. Addition of new structure(if any) & then plastering work 
  3. Electrical and plumbing work 
  4. Patch repair work 
  5. Ceiling work 
  6. Wall p.o.p punning work 
  7. Flooring 
  8. Floor covering (using sheet or p.o.p) 
  9. Carpentry work 
  10. Paint and polish work 
  11. Furnishing work 
  12. Furniture and art effects placement.
  • Work administration

To set expectations for the site visit, develop a schedule that identifies day-of activities. Doing so will make the visit more focused and productive both for the site visit team and the implementing partner, and will help ensure the right information is captured or exchanged.

Before starting any work make sure to establish good communication with the working contractors, give them detailed drawings in advance, and discuss the work execution challenges to create a targeted design at the end.