"How long is this actually going to take?" It's one of the first questions almost every client asks once they've decided a project is worth pursuing, and it's a fair one. Timelines vary widely across our industry, and generic answers tend to do more harm than good. If you've searched for a number online, you've probably found a wide range and not much certainty.
Here's the honest answer: there isn't a single figure that applies to every project, because the biggest factors that drive timeline are specific to your home, your goals and your service pathway. Here's what actually determines how long your project takes, and how to plan around it realistically.
Styling and full-scope run on different clocks
The single biggest factor is which of our two service pathways your project falls under. Interior Styling & Furniture, where the layout and structure of your home are already right and you need furniture, window treatments and finishing touches sourced and styled, generally moves faster. There's no approvals process, no builder to coordinate with, and no construction to wait on. Timeline here is largely governed by procurement: sourcing the right pieces from our supplier network, waiting on lead times for custom upholstery or made-to-order furniture, and scheduling delivery and installation.
Full-Scope Interior Design, covering renovations, extensions and new builds, runs on a longer and more layered timeline. It includes everything from the personalised brief and concept stage through design development, with material selections and 3D walk-throughs, to the construction documentation that guides your builder and trades. Because this pathway involves town planners, draftspeople and builders, its timeline is shaped by forces well outside our studio too, like council approval processes and builder availability.
What actually adds time (and what doesn't)
A few things regularly extend a timeline, regardless of which pathway you're on. Custom joinery and bespoke cabinetry take longer to fabricate than off-the-shelf alternatives. Council approvals for structural changes can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your municipality and the scope of works. Popular materials and finishes sometimes carry longer supplier lead times, particularly for imported pieces. And any project that changes scope partway through, say a styling brief that grows into a full-scope reconsideration of layout, resets part of the timeline by design, not by mistake.
What doesn't usually blow out a timeline is the design process itself. Concept development, material selection and documentation move at a fairly predictable pace once a brief is locked in. It's the parts of a project outside our direct control, approvals, fabrication, supply, that introduce the most variability.
Why we don't quote a number before the on-site review
We could give you a generic range here, but it wouldn't be an honest one. A studio refresh and a full home renovation with council involvement aren't the same conversation, and a number that tries to cover both ends up meaning very little for your actual project.
This is exactly why timeline is one of the things we work through during your On-Site Design & Planning Review, once we understand your space, your goals and which service pathway fits. From there, your tailored proposal outlines the stages involved and gives you a realistic sense of how they'll unfold, based on your project rather than an industry average.
How to plan around an uncertain timeline
Even without a fixed number upfront, there's a lot you can do to keep your project moving. Engage your Lead Designer early, ideally before a builder is locked in or council submissions are underway, so design decisions can inform the process rather than react to it. Be upfront about hard deadlines, like a move-in date or a booked trade, during your Initial Design Call, so we can flag early whether they're realistic. And where possible, make decisions on materials and selections promptly once they're presented. Indecision at the selection stage is one of the few timeline factors genuinely within a client's control.
The coastal factor
Homes across Mornington, Mount Eliza and further down the Peninsula can carry their own timeline considerations too. Older coastal properties sometimes reveal structural surprises once work begins, and certain materials suited to sea air and coastal light have longer supplier lead times than standard alternatives. None of this makes a project unmanageable, but it's part of why an honest, project-specific timeline beats a generic one.
Common questions about interior design project timelines
Can you give a rough timeframe before the On-Site Design & Planning Review? Not a meaningful one. Styling-only and full-scope projects sit at completely different ends of the spectrum, so a number given before we understand your project would be a guess dressed up as an estimate.
Does a bigger budget mean a faster timeline? Not directly. Budget affects what's possible, but approvals, fabrication and supplier lead times move at their own pace regardless of spend.
What's the biggest thing clients can do to keep a project on schedule? Make selection decisions promptly once options are presented, and loop your Lead Designer in as early as possible, ideally before a builder or council submission is already underway.
Getting a timeline that's actually yours
If you're planning a project and want a realistic sense of how long it will take, the answer starts with a conversation, not a guess. Our FAQ page covers more of the questions we hear often, and if you're still deciding whether a designer is the right move at all, we've covered that separately.