KMSD Design Process - What To Expect

At KMSalter Design, we follow a 15 Step Process that is broken down into 3 Phases. Please read through each Phase and Step in detail, to ensure we are on the same page throughout the duration of your project. We look forward to making your project a priority, and an enjoyable experience for all!

PHASE 1 - PROJECT INITIATION 

PHASE 2 - RESEARCH, DESIGN & PRESENTATION

PHASE 3 - PROJECT EXECUTION & MANAGEMENT, STYLE & DECORATION!

PHASE 1 - PROJECT INITIATION

Step 1: Initial Consultation

  • This 2-hour in-home consultation is how we start each project. Together with our Designers, you’ll go over the existing Floorplans, and discuss your desired changes, timelines, and general budget. This will give us each an opportunity to decide if we’d like to work together, moving forward.

Step 2:  Signing of Contract, Collecting Retainer and Commencement of Project

  • Once you have confirmed you would like to work with us, we will send out a contract for your signature and an invoice for our $3,500 design retainer. This is the start of your project!

  • During our onboarding process, we will send you a link to a shared Pinterest Board to allow us to collaborate on ideas; if you’d like a tutorial on how to use this very helpful tool, please let us know!

PHASE 2 - RESEARCH, DESIGN & PRESENTATION

Step 3: Onsite Measurements, ‘Before’ Photos, and Scope of Work Review

  • Our team will return to your home to take accurate measurements and photos, discuss your wish list, and review our KMSD Scope of Work.

  • We often use a 3rd party to thoroughly measure your existing space(s); this ensures accuracy and helps us use our design time efficiently. This is generally a cost of $1,000+HST.

  • Photos will be used for reference purposes and to show off the before and after!

Step 4: Inspiration Meeting

  • Either in person, or via online, we will have an inspiration meeting to review our shared Pinterest Board, in order for us to understand your aesthetic. This is a great starting point for all of us!

  • It is possible that Steps 3 & 4 are combined, depending on the scope of the work and time available. This is at the discretion of KMSD. 

Step 5: Floor Plans

  • This step can take up to 4 weeks, after Step 3. We’ll be hard at work, reconfiguring your space in order to get you everything on your wishlist! We try to offer you multiple options of proposed Floor Plans, if possible. We’ll host a meeting at KMSD, to review the options and answer any questions you may have, and together, we’ll come up with a Final Floor Plan. Once we nail down the Floor Plan, this is when the contractor gets involved!

  • We will set up an onsite meeting with the contractor to walk through the floor plans and get a mutual understanding of the scope of work. If enough information is provided, the contractor will be able to provide you with an estimate, following our meeting.

  • When your agreement with the contractor is finalized and approved, we then move onto the next phase.

NOTE: To get to this point, clients can expect a cost of approximately $5-$10K, depending on Square Footage, to execute the above Steps. 

Step 6: Design Presentation!

  • This step is the most exciting one, but it can take up to 8-10 weeks, after Step 5. During this phase, we are planning all of your designs and elevations; selecting finishes and fixtures, choosing furniture and window treatments, obtaining samples, and preparing to present you with our cohesive design for your home. This is where the entire project comes together!

  • While we prepare your presentation, there won’t be much interaction between us, unless we have further questions or concerns. 

  • As we approach our design completion, we will reach out to you to set a firm date for our presentation. These presentations are held at our KMSD office, Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm and will take approximately 3 hours; we will provide you with visual displays of our selected materials and furnishings, and you’ll be able to see and feel physical samples, wherever possible. 

  • Should there be any selections presented that you’d like us to revisit, we’re happy to make reselections, with your input on our original designs in mind. 

NOTE: You can expect invoices for Step 6 to total approximately $20-$30K (again, depending on square footage). This represents the bulk of our Design time, as we’ve now designed every aspect of your home! 

PHASE 3 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT & EXECUTION

Step 7: Proposals, Product Deposits & Construction Quotes

  • A detailed listing of finalized selections and materials as well as product estimates will be provided to the Contractor/Trades, for all finishes approved by you; this will enable your trades to make any necessary quote revisions. 

  • You can expect an updated contract from your contractor and once approved, a construction date will be set and confirmed by all parties (if applicable and not already confirmed).

  • Timelines will be generated by the contractor; length of execution is determined by many factors but will be outlined and explained to you before construction begins.

  • KMSD will obtain Quotes from all Vendors for specified products and materials, as well as furnishings; you can expect 1 or more Product Proposal, listing items which will be purchased through KMSD.  Some of our vendors require you to pay them directly, but this will be organized by KMSD.  Deposits will need to be paid, before Products can be ordered.

  • KMSD will then create the Construction Specifications Binder that will be used onsite; all trades will have this Binder as a reference to exactly what KMSD has designed & planned for. This will include dimensioned drawings, lighting plans, technical details, and product specs.

Step 8: Placement of Orders

  • Once Deposits have been paid, KMSD will place product orders and provide delivery lead-time assessment. 

  • Products are ordered as far in advance as possible, in order to ensure they are delivered when required; KMSD is not responsible for delays due to backorders, however we will try our best to source from alternative sources, or, if necessary, make reselections as close as possible to the original design, in order to keep the project moving along.

Step 9: Initiation of Construction and Renovation

  • Your Contractor/Builder will begin work, and any additional designs/product details will be confirmed; KMSD will provide the construction binder to the contractor with all the pertinent information to execute the project.

  • KMSD will coordinate regularly scheduled site meetings with the contractor and sub trades during the construction process, to ensure the project proceeds according to the issued Specifications.

  • KMSD will communicate with you regarding the ongoing progress and status of the project, by phone, email or on-site as required.

Step 10: Renovation/Installation Phase Continues & Balance on Orders

  • KMSD makes every effort to anticipate hidden or unknown variables during the renovation or new build process; depending on the nature of a project, certain obstructions or hidden elements may not be revealed until the work has started. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict every unknown issue; if we encounter a problem that is not easily fixed, the issue and solutions to the problem will be discussed with you in a timely manner.  

  • As the project progresses, you can expect KMSD to ask for the remaining balances due on ordered products as they are received. KMSD will manage the deliveries, and timeline expectations. If any product deficiencies should arise, KMSD will be there to take care of this in the most efficient manner possible!

  • If furnishings/decorating items have yet to be firmed up, this is typically the phase in which this occurs. We like to ensure accuracy of measurements, and waiting until construction begins is often the best way to ensure this; KMSD will be available to host you at our Trade Only Showroom, to see custom Furniture options in person, before ordering.

  • As in Step 7, a detailed Proposal will be presented to the client outlining the furnishings, window treatments, and decor for their approval. A deposit is required to place these orders. 

Step 11: Furniture Installation and Styling

  • Our goal is to provide you with a fully furnished and professionally decorated home; styling and accessorizing a space fully allows us to provide you with a cohesive design that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come!  

  • Balances will be collected on furniture, in order for our vendors to have them released to the delivery companies; KMSD will coordinate deliveries on your behalf, wherever possible.

  • Should you wish to return any item once it has been ordered, it is strictly at the supplier’s discretion and subject to their restocking fee to be paid by you. Custom orders are not re stockable or returnable. 

  • If a product is received as damaged or defective from the manufacturer (which happens occasionally), KMSD will correct the problem in the timeliest manner, however this time is billable, at the discretion of the designer.

  • KMSD will warehouse your purchased furniture and decor until the construction phase is complete, wherein we will schedule several consecutive days for delivery, installation, and styling; please note that there may be additional storage, delivery, and installation costs associated, ranging from approximately $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the number of spaces to be furnished/decorated.  

Step 12: Client Reveal!

  • If all goes according to plan, we prefer to have a reveal day, like you see on TV! Unfortunately, this doesn’t always go as planned for various reasons. KMSD will discuss this portion of the project with you, so that we’re on the same page, as to how this will work. 

  • KMSD will style your home (shelves, tables, mantels, etc.), with items that you will not have seen or approved before; after your reveal, we will review any and all styling items and placement with you, and then you’ll have 48 hours to decide whether to keep and purchase the items from the styling process. If you’d like us to remove any items, and/or swap them out with other items, we’d be happy to do so, at our hourly rate.  If there are personal items, artwork, or decor you already own that you’d like us to include in these styling placements, please let us know in advance, and we’ll work them into our designs, as much as possible. 

  • If you’re living in your home during the final stages of your renovation/build, and we’re unable to perform the above listed ‘TV Style Reveal’, KMSD may request that we have access to your home, for a 48 hour period, in order to complete a Photoshooot, so that KMSD can use photos of your beautiful home, for our Promotion.  The cost to you is $0, however we’ll require sole access to your home, for 2 full days and nights.  Many clients opt to choose dates when they’re on vacation/travelling. KMSD will opt to have this included as part of Step 12, prior to the client reveal, whenever possible.

Step 13: Deficiencies Walk Through & Resolution

  • Deficiencies are almost guaranteed in every project; KMSD is committed to excellence by being very detail oriented on your behalf. An example of a deficiency might be a paint drip on the baseboard, draperies with a loose hem, tiling job that is imperfect, etc. We work efficiently to have deficiencies resolved in a timely manner.

  • We will work continuously with the contractor, vendors, etc in order to resolve these deficiencies, and ensure that you are happy with the finished product!

Step 14: Closure Meeting, Presentation of Final Invoice & Client Binder

  • This step is to ensure that your satisfaction is met, all deficiencies are taken care of, and there is nothing left for us to do, with regards to your project. 

  • You will receive your own copy of the binder with all the project information, fabric samples where possible, and all purchased Fixture Spec sheets, for your future reference. 

  • A final Invoice will be sent with the remaining retainer applied, if applicable.

Step 15: Evaluation and Thank you!

  • We want to hear about your experience, any feedback you may have on our processes or performance and would appreciate your time to post a Google Review, and your permission to include a quote in our marketing materials!

NOTE:  For Phase 3 of the project, clients can expect a cost of approximately $5 -15K in Design Time to execute Steps 7 through 15, depending on the scope of work with regards to the decorating and styling portions.




IMPORTANT NOTES

IT TAKES A TEAM-DON’T GO IT ALONE ~

Renovating a home is a demanding, time-consuming, emotional and complicated process. Surrounding yourself with a professional team is the best way to ensure that you realize the project that you have envisioned, and enjoy the process along the way!

BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR GOALS AND BUDGET~

Being transparent with your goals regarding needs of style, function and budget are essential in order for us to create, design and manage your project and to exceed expectations. Please use the tools that we provide to communicate these essential pieces of information.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO, BUT...DON’T RUSH! ~

We want you to see value in our services and attention to detail; this requires time, to ensure that all details are covered. Based on years of experience, the KMSD team feels strongly about not rushing your renovation project. We understand timelines are important. Time to curate creative ideas and produce an exceptional finished product is ESSENTIAL. 

KMSD SUPPLIERS ~

KMSD is connected to specific suppliers based on long-term relationships, experience and volume of purchasing. This allows KMSD to use our relationships to work efficiently in your favour if issues arise. If you would like us to source outside of our preferred suppliers, we cannot be responsible for quality assurance on products or services from these outside sources.

PRODUCT ORDERS TAKE TIME ~ 

Most custom furniture suppliers we work with have a 12–18-week turnaround. KMSD also factors in shipping delays, inspections, fixing supplier issues, delivery company schedules, human error etc, etc! These items can add 2-4 weeks onto this timeline. We are working on this for you! This is an important time frame to remember during your renovation.

BUILDING TRUST: IT’S A TWO-WAY STREET~ 

Like any relationship, our partnership requires trust. You, the client, require assurances that all project details are well in hand and that the designer intends to fulfill promises. We, the designers, require the authority to manage the project, including trades and suppliers, as experience deems wise. Open communication is critical to everyone’s comfort; speak up the moment you feel something is amiss as there is likely a simple explanation. Some of our best designs come to life when clients are able to take a risk and trust our team’s intuition and process. Based on expertise and experience, we know when and where to take the risk and when to hold back. Trusting our design team and our creative process will bring both value and stunning designs and products to your project.

We look forward to working with you on this Project, making your home a functional, welcoming, and beautiful space, for years to come!  Our team at KMSalter Design is here to answer any further questions that you may have; please don’t hesitate to ask!