Every project with us starts with an Initial Design Call. It's a phone conversation with our Lead Designer, it's complimentary, and there's no expectation to proceed. Even so, people often ask whether they should prepare something first, and what we're going to ask them.
The short answer is that you don't need to prepare much. A little thinking beforehand just makes the call more useful, especially if you're speaking with an interior designer on the Mornington Peninsula for the first time. Here's what's worth having in mind.
What the call is for
The Initial Design Call covers your project goals, the stage you're at, your timeline and rough budget, and which service pathway suits you best. It isn't a sales pitch, and it isn't the detailed design session. That comes later, at the On-Site Design & Planning Review, which has its own post, including what to have ready for the site visit. This post is only about the phone call. Because we recommend the best service pathway on the call, the clearer your picture of the situation, the more useful that recommendation will be.
Know why you're calling
The most useful thing to bring is a clear sense of what prompted the call. Perhaps the kitchen doesn't suit the way your family lives, you've bought a house that needs rethinking, you're building and want the interiors resolved early, or the structure is right and the rooms simply feel unfinished.
You don't need a polished brief. A sentence or two about what isn't working, and how you'd like the space to feel, is plenty. If you're weighing up a renovation against a new build, say so, and our post on renovating vs. building new explains how the design process differs.
Where you are in the project
We'll ask what stage you've reached, because it shapes the next steps we recommend. You might be at the very beginning, or you might already have plans drawn and a builder booked. Both are fine. We work alongside architects, building designers, draftspersons, town planners and builders, so being partway through a project doesn't put you behind.
If you haven't engaged any of them yet, raise it on the call. We can recommend architects, building designers and town planners on the Mornington Peninsula, and our post on whether you need your own architect or town planner explains who does what.
Timeline and rough budget
Two questions you can expect are what timeline you're working to and what budget you have in mind. A rough idea is enough for both. If there's a fixed date, such as a move-in, a family event or a holiday season, mention it, because it affects what's sensible to plan.
If you're unsure about budget, say so. An open, rough range is more useful to us than a number picked to sound right. Fees depend on the scope of the project, and a tailored proposal follows later in the process. Our post on how much interior design costs explains how we think about it.
Who else is involved
Tell us who will be making decisions and who will be living in the space. If a partner or family member shares those decisions, it's worth having them on the call, or at least letting us know who they are. Our post on how involved you need to be covers how that plays out as a project moves along.
If you have inspiration images, plans or photos of the space, keep them handy. None of it is required, but images often say what's hard to put into words.
Questions worth asking us
The call goes both ways, and it's your chance to see whether we're the right fit. You might ask how the process runs from start to finish, who you'll be working with, how we'd work with a builder or architect you've already engaged, and which of our services suits your project: Full-Scope Interior Design or Interior Styling & Furniture. If you're unsure which is which, our post on styling vs. full-scope design is a good read before or after the call.
What you don't need to prepare
You don't need floor plans in perfect order, a finished mood board, a decided style, a final budget or a firm view on which service you need. Those things take shape through the process, and helping you shape them is part of our job. The questions we ask are often ones you haven't yet put into words, which is a useful part of the conversation.
It does help to mention where the property is. Whether you're in Mornington, Red Hill or Flinders, local conditions and character often influence the conversation.
Common questions about preparing for an Initial Design Call
Is it too early to call if I'm still deciding what to do? No. The call is designed for people at every stage, from early planning through to partway through a build or renovation.
What if I only have a rough budget? That's fine. A rough range, shared openly, gives us enough to point you toward the right pathway.
Do I need to be at the property for the call? No, it's a phone conversation. The visit to your property comes later, as the On-Site Design & Planning Review.
Does the call commit me to anything? No. It's complimentary and obligation-free, with no expectation to proceed.
What happens next
After the call, our Lead Designer will outline the most appropriate next steps, which for most clients is an On-Site Design & Planning Review at the property, followed by a tailored proposal. Our FAQ page answers more common questions, or you can get in touch to arrange your call.