FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We typically charge a Fee equivalent to 12.5% of the total spend of a given project, reducing to 10% for larger projects - whether for a complete house or apartment, office, retail store, restaurant, bar, etc. The project is estimated at the outset and the initial % Fee is then divided up by the amount of months estimated for the project, with an equal amount paid monthly in advance and the initial payment due upon Contract signing. Both the calendar and Fee is then re-evaluated throughout the project at several milestones in the design and construction phases. (We do not work by the hour as we're 100% certain that almost no client would believe the amount of work that goes into a top-quality project). Included in our Fee are whatever amount of design adjustments necessary to come to a budget you can live with. We do not charge by the hour to amend our designs because they have blown the budget - a VERY common industry practice that routinely provides thousands of dollars of extra Fees for designers. We also do not accept commissions for the introduction / selection of any products or services, with all industry discounts we obtain for the specification of finishes, furniture, light fixtures, etc. being 100% passed on to our clients. This is also a very common industry practice that clients usually never find out about, which allows many designers to offer much lower fees knowing that they will triple or quadruple these fees by hidden payments from suppliers - which to us are "kickbacks".
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
If a potential client looks through our website, they will see that every single project we have designed over our 25+ year history is different - catering to each client's dreams/wishes/budget/timing and site constraints. As all of our designs are different, getting to know the client and their ideas, likes and dislikes to be able to come up with designs and features that will thrill them while standing the test of time (i.e. not succumbing to current fads that age quickly) is the most important 1st step. The 1st few face-to-face meetings with a client (or at least 1 initial trip to meet face-to-face if working nationally or internationally) to be able to physically get to know both the client(s) and the property to be designed, provides an in-depth opportunity to discuss all the issues and properly plan the project/timeframe/budget/etc. We then provide a target calendar based on these initial discussions for all parties to follow; adjusted as the project progresses as the designs and time-frames for the procurement and construciton / fit-out become clear. For the initial Phase, we provide a proposed Floor Plan(s) with the layout of all areas with generic-sized furnishings for us to discuss each room's arrangement and furniture layouts, with no design styles shown or proposed. We have found over the years that this makes it much easier for all parties to focus on the layouts without getting caught up on a certain look being proposed. Are the layouts getting the most out of each room? Are the rooms' furnishings the right quantity/size? Is there sufficient storage (there never is), etc.? Same for retail, commercial (office) and hospitality design - the process is exactly the same. Depending upon the size of the project, this normally takes 2-3 weeks after our initial discussions, depending upon the size of the project. Once the client approves the initial Layout(s) (we'll amend it/them as many times as necessary until the client approves), we now know where we have walls to decorate, for example, and the size and location of features (fireplaces, fire or water features, garden areas, etc.) which allows us to start the creative process of the look and feel. We usually provide what is known as a Mood Board, which is a simple 2 or 3-page collection of photographs of Finishes and Features to show the client our proposed surface finishes for walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, light fittings, etc. based on our original discussions with the client discussing the design concept and their likes and dislikes. (We ask for photos of what they'd love to see that they've taken from magazines/online which saves significant time). This also normally takes about 2-3 weeks after the Layout(s) have been approved by the client. Again, we'll adjust the Mood Board as many times as necessary until the client is not only happy but thrilled with the design ideas. Once both the Layout(s) and design Finishes and Features are approved, we're able to get moving on the design/documentation package that will be needed for one or more builders (General Contractors) to be able to provide tender quotations for the project. We are happy to assist our clients in the selection of the General Contractor if desired. We make regular visits during the construction/fit-out phases at no additional charge in order to get the best quality with as minimal variation charges as possible from the builders, and are the General Constractor's main contact throughout the project to work on all issues without having to place the client in the middle running back and forth. Once the construction/fit-out is finished we prepare what is known as a Defect List/Punch List of defects with the client for the builder and their sub-contractors need to repair / properly finish according to the documentation package for the client to pay the final Contractual payment.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I actually graduated with an International Hotel Management degree and in a previous career worked in 5-star hotel development and operations in 12 countries on 4 continents for companies such as Mandarin Oriental Hotels and Hyatt Hotels, working in numerous Resorts and world cities. The amount one learns on building sites around the world working with renowned Architects, Interior Designers, Lighting Designers, Kitchen and Bar Designers, etc., and later in the ensuing day-to-day operations once the hotels opened, is incomparable to what designers learn in university and working in design studios, providing ten-fold the experience. Then since creating Dreamtime, having to comply with varying, and differing strict building codes in many countries, some quite a bit tougher than the United States, the on-the-job learning never ceases - and I find it fascinating. In our design studio over the past 25 years, we have averaged approx. 10 projects a year - so about 250 complete projects over the years - from restaurants, bars, retail outlets, offices, apartments and homes, including hundreds of custom pieces of furniture and custom lighting, which we design for all of our projects.