A Good Day: 3 Design and Build Rules
- Emily Selden
- Oct 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 29, 2024
In our blog posts we have been focusing on what can go wrong in order to help our intrepid readers navigate the landmines of dealing with turning designs into reality. We know how it feels to be let down by an errant subcontractor, and we really don't want that to happen to you. Today, we thought it might be nice to offer you something different.
What happens when it all goes right?
When it all goes right, it feels as if the heavens parted and the sun shone just for you. A client meets a designer and each one conveys their ideas, the designers submit renderings, and everything is starshine and rainbows. Then, the design meets a construction crew that knows what they're doing.
And, it is simply beautiful.
The entire process.
Which is exactly what happened to several of our projects lately, and we are over the moon happy to share with you this experience. We offer you examples and our 3 design and build rules that help make that happen. To begin, here are some renderings versus their real-life photographic counterparts that have left us impressed with the results a good process can bring:
Rendering:
Reality:
Renderings:
A coffee shop offers multiple views.
And the owner and contractors worked diligently to stay true to the final design.
Reality:
And, exactly how can you do everything you can to ensure this happens for you?
Well, we have some answers that we think can help.
1) First and foremost, communication is essential. Now, we know many people say this in project management, and it begs the question, "but what does that mean?"
Really it is about being abundantly clear to everyone involved in your project about your true goals. This means figuring out if you really want that shower chandelier in the middle of the parlor, or if you would really prefer something else. Just because designers (yes, talking about us!) suggest something, does not mean you need to use it. We can sometimes develop our own vision for your project, and sometimes it doesn't align with yours.
On that note, if you suggested the chandelier, then saw it in renderings and hated it, then please, for the love of decency, tell us. We want to know; this is why we render our designs so that you can see the design in progress. You will either love it or hate it and either way, speak up! Don't be embarrassed, because it even happens to us. Sometimes we think we have a good idea, only to change it completely once we see it rendered.
Sometimes you just don't see a thing until you see it in the space in a full rendering.
2) A close second, ensure you know who you are working with, and, yes, this is kind of beating a dead horse because we have talked about it before: https://www.lamplitdesigns.com/post/5-ways-to-find-good-contractors
But, it really bears repeating.
Don't just go with the cheapest price or Aunt Sally's best friend's son who apprenticed but doesn't quite have his license, yet. Spending a thousand dollars to save a hundred is where this gets you...
Yes. Every. Single. Time.
This is not where you want to end up. Killing your budget.
Look at portfolios, get references, and ask around if you can. A google search is not enough. Neither is checking their license - although that is a good place to start! and check out the post above for even more information.
3) Third, check the progress of your construction with your designers. Your chosen company should be willing to help you through the process of the design being built and willing to be available to answer questions where appropriate.
Those are the big three to make many more good days. Let us know how it goes and if these tips helped. We would love to hear from you, dear readers, how it's going out there.
For more tips, tricks, and 'from the field' advice, stay tuned. Until then, may all your projects go smoothly, and your designers have your back.
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