GREEN INTERIOR DESIGN  SERVICES

step 1: INTERVIEW & CONSULTATION: determining scope of services required to complete the job, including professionals and services needed to address existing problems on site

developing a contractual agreement

step 2: CONCEPT & PLANNING: the most important and time-consuming phase of the project; ideas vs. budget restictions; schedule projections; basic design of space

step 3: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: initial drafted plans and model; space layout, interior structural details; material specifications; special fabrications

as per initial agreement, a set number of revisions will be budgeted, plus site visits and client/designer meetings to discuss creative solutions that will help to realize the design concept 

step 4:  CONSTRUCTION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT: final drawings approved, necessary clearances, permits and permissions obtained, materials, furnishings and finishes selected, orders placed, hiring of contractors and fabricators; actual construction begins

designer will always make site visits to check progress and quality; if designer is also Project Manager, she will oversee and monitor the progress of the work in greater detail, be on site every day, and coordinate with all the professionals, vendors and contractors to maintain quality control, accurate translation of the design plans, and timely completion of the project in every stage of its construction and installation

FAQ's:

• what is a Certified Interior Designer? CID status in the State of New York is given to an Interior Designer who has passed a 12.5-hour national licensing examination given by the NCIDQ, the National Council on Interior Design Qualification, a non-profit professional testing organization that also sets professional performance standards.  Before qualifying to take the national examination, an interior designer has been extensively trained in an accredited college or graduate level program in Interior Design, has achieved an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree in the subject, has frequently prepared a thesis in a specialty, completed an internship, and has had at least two years' work experience under the supervision of a licensed architect or interior designer following graduation...all totalling a minimum of seven years' experience and training.  It is important to note that in those states with a practice or title licensing program, the title "Interior Designer" cannot be legally used by anyone who is not licensed or certified within that State. 
• is the term "interior decorator" interchangeable with "interior designer"?  No.  By virtue of education and certification, the Interior Designer is trained to understand non-load-bearing structure and basic building systems, and can handle space-planning, compliance with codes, accessibility, and health and safety issues as well as furnishings and finishes.  The trained Interior Designer can draft plans and prepare construction drawings.
• Is using an interior designer costly?  Roughly 10-15% of the total cost of the project is one rule of thumb for estimating; however, fee scale is determined by the design firm according to hourly rates, or time + materials, or a flat fee, depending on scope and complexity of the design services requested, and the experience and expertise of the firm.  Additional information can be obtained on what to expect in cost and types of services from the ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, a national , non-profit, professional organization.