Communication; the key to any successful relationship.

Since it is Valentines Day I have been ruminating on relationships and why some succeed and others don’t. A popular theory is that it’s all about communication and I tend to think that it’s true, if two people can just talk about their fears, concerns and dreams that the relationship will not only survive, but flourish and you will have a beautiful home!

Oh, I should have made it clear, I am talking about your relationship with your designer!

This communication starts almost from the first phone call. I can’t count the number of times that those calls have started with how and how much do you charge? Both great questions by the way, but let's talk a bit first about what your needs are before we start placing a price tag to them.

I wish that the general public knew how much discussion we, as an industry have had about how to:

1. Best serve you, and provide you with a service that you not only deserve but delights you in its ability to provide a creative solution.
2. How to charge you for our work in a way that is clear and fair, with total price transparency

As a result of much introspection I think you will find that most designers now are much more flexible in their approach to business. For instance some projects are very budget driven, these may require more of a set fee and a very defined scope of work. Other projects may be much more driven by your desire to create a home of exceptional detail and finesse. This kind f project is almost impossible to assess from the start of work, so an hourly may be the best solution. Then there will be many that lay somewhere in the middle.

Once work has begun, it's important that you and your designer find a way to communicate ideas that works for both of you. You would be surprised how many people cannot read floor plans and elevations,,, but never let on and just nod away in meetings hoping that the result will be great. There are many ways to communicate or design floor plans are just one, ideas boards, renderings and even thumbnail sketches are available to help tell the story of what is in our head, don’t be shy about asking till you find the one that works best for you!

So as the relationship goes, so does the design. The best projects for us have always been the ones where communication was free and open. Start talking, ask a lot of questions and find the way that works for you, and a great design is your reward!