As a busy design studio, there are always varied projects, new products and fresh partnerships, making things interesting and keeping us on our toes. (There are also trying, laptop-bound, deadline days fuelled by a box of Favourites and the promise of interruption by a door handle rep… but that’s by the bye.)

For us, there were many lessons learnt in 2022. But when reflecting on all our wonderful projects, both big and small, on all the new products, materials and colourways that have crossed our paths, and the multitude of designs that were birthed in our studio, there is one stand out piece of advice we know has helped our clients more than anything else.

It’s not advice about budgeting in a rising construction cost climate, nor whether or not to mix metals in a room’s design. In fact it has nothing to do with money or even design. It’s about assembling the right humans on your team.

Preparing for a storm

When talking with clients early on, before they have even engaged us, we are reminded that the whole world of renovations, building and interior design is often a completely foreign concept to them. While accomplished in many aspects of their lives, a new build or significant renovation either hasn’t crossed their path or they don’t have time to give it any thought.

When the inevitable thunderous noise of council submissions, optimal layouts, electrical planning, joinery strategy, urgent product decisions and material shortages starts to roll into the scene, we can often see the cloud of overwhelm pass across the homeowners eyes like a stormy headache.

The visibility of the path ahead gets a bit foggy and it can often feel like a torrential downpour of administration, decisions and consultants fees, threatening to wash away the joy-factor. (I guarantee nobody starts the story of the creation of their dream home gushing about Basix Certificates and Reflected Ceiling Plans.)

A new build or big renovation is a significant investment… and with any investment, there is due diligence to be done, experts to consult, and hard decisions to be made. But all of that can still be joyful. It can even be sunshine and rainbows.

Our advice…? Before you even think about stepping out into the unpredictable elements of a build or reno, form a team that you trust! Before you do anything else.

The makeup of the perfect team

A renovation or build can take anywhere from three months to three years. That’s a looong time to be working with people who aren’t, shall we say, a good ‘fit’.

Of course, when assessing the members of your squad, it’s important to look at their individual skill set and experience. Gathering specialists who design and construct day-in, day-out means you’re surrounding yourself with people who’ve been there, done that and have the scars to prove it. Look for someone who can handle a bit of stormy weather and still have a smile on their face beneath the umbrella. When you’re faced with challenges and choices, that person can help you make confident, calm and informed decisions (as they effortlessly team a sharp outfit with sensible gum boots).

Equally as important though, look for qualities that experience (and money) can’t buy.

Look for those who can work together well as a team themselves, who you would feel comfortable approaching at any time… even in an awkward or conflict situation. Look for the good communicator, the thoughtful responder, the dependable worker. Look for the one who leads their own team with kindness and respect and values their staff’s contribution.

This is where personal recommendations from others who have used them before can really help.

Ask the referees for your proposed team members: What was their willingness to listen? Were they reasonably generous with their time? Did you feel comfortable talking to them about potential problems, knowing they’d be open to workshopping a solution? What was their communication like - did they provide regular updates? Were they responsive to queries in a reasonable timeframe? Were they solution-focussed? Or dismissive with your concerns? How did they handle and respect your budgetary needs? These responses are all good indicators.

So who should be on your team?

1. Interior Designer

A good Interior Designer is the glue that connects the way you want to live with the space that is created. Right from the very conceptual and briefing stage, you want your Interior Designer in your corner, helping you consider exactly what you need out of your home’s floor plan, functionality and atmosphere. From there they can guide you throughout the project as new people join your team, different milestones are met and decisions are made. They need to be much more than just producers of design drawings - they are often the difference between building a nice new house, and creating the customised home of your dreams.

2. Architect or Draftsperson

Your building design and the preparation of the plans for approval lies with your architect or draftsperson. The difference, if we may broadly generalise, is that architect’s skills encompass the conceptual problem-solving of a site, and the formulation and development of an optimal design to overcome challenges and optimise features of a site, and then seeing it through the approval stage. They can prepare construction drawings and provide detailed support throughout the project if required. A draftsperson is skilled to develop building designs and plans and can translate your vision into a functional design and see it through the approval stage as well. Look for a draftsperson or architect who will work with your Interior Designer and Builder to overcome challenges and collaborate on the best solution for you.

3. Builder

It’s so incredibly important to form a trusting, solid relationship with your builder. Be on the look out for one who takes pride in their work, who genuinely wants to create your dream home for you and wants to see a thrilled homeowner at the end of the project. Look for one who appreciates the role of your designers, who will collaborate with them to achieve the best outcome within your budget. Your builder is your lynchpin - as well as overlooking the whole construction process, they’ll be organising and communicating with trades and managing the entire site and project, from weather challenges to deliveries and deliverables. One who places top priority on meeting timelines and budget is a must.

4. Landscape Designer

While development submissions can often be submitted with a simple soft vs hard landscaping plan that your draftsperson or architect can do, the next level of detail that takes a patch of land and turns it into a beautiful and well thought out garden requires a Landscape Designer.

With both spatial design and horticultural knowledge they will translate your needs and goals into a design that includes both paved or hard areas, planting zones and planting specification, with a clear direction for your landscapers or trades to execute.

5. Other consultants

Throughout the process, you’ll probably require the input of other professionals and consultants, whether it’s engineers, geotechnicians, arborists and so on. The existing members of your team - the Interior Designer, builder and architect or draftsperson will be able to recommend specialists who they’ve worked with before and who they know to be reliable and professional. Ask for their recommendations and then get a couple of quotes!

No ‘i’ in Team

With all projects it’s the sum of the parts that really makes the difference, so choosing a designer, builder, architect or draftsperson and other consultants that are able to bounce ideas off each other is where the magic really happens. It’s a big part of why we have especially loved working on some of our more recent projects, and onto our second or third with the same clients! The collaborative approach with other experts is so rewarding as we all work towards the common goal of exceeding our client’s expectations.

And lastly, your journey doesn’t need to be a stressful one. Yes there is definitely a massive learning curve ahead. Renovating and building can of course bring moments of stress, unexpected obstacles, decision-doubts. But if you build the right team up front, you will find the process of renovating or building enjoyable, where you can make decisions confidently, entrust the professionals, have fun with the creative process. It could even be sunshine and rainbows.