By Revital Reich – Architecture & Interior Design
Home Planning
So, congratulations—you’ve decided to embark on the major journey of planning a new home or upgrading your existing one through a renewed interior design process.
Most people choose a professional to handle home planning or renovation and to guide the process, with the goal of maximizing results and bringing their dream to life.
From my perspective, every new project begins with decoding the homeowners’ dream—for example: what is their lifestyle, what are their goals for the project, how does the family dynamic work, what is the size of the family, what do they enjoy doing, and much more.
Home Planning – From Construction to Interior Design
At the end of the planning phase, which is one of (if not the most) critical stages in a home planning project, all the data is ultimately translated into three key parameters:
Project scope – meaning the realization of the homeowners’ desires and the integration of their needs and wishes into the actual space.
Timeline – the duration of the project.
Budget – the allocated budget for the project.
So how does the process actually work?
After the initial stage of an introductory conversation and understanding the homeowners’ needs, along with an on-site meeting to become familiar with the property, we begin the home planning phase—which naturally varies depending on whether it is a construction project or a home design project.
- Preparation of a price proposal (based on the initial stage with the homeowners), including relevant plans, a bill of quantities, and a definition of the desired level of involvement (guidance, supervision, or full project management).
- After approval of the proposal, conceptual sketches (architectural/design ideas) are prepared to converge on preferred details and finalize a concept that will serve as the basis for a full set of execution plans according to the project (construction/demolition plan, electrical plan, plumbing plan, HVAC plan, flooring plan, cladding plan, carpentry plan, finishing plans, etc.).
- For the homeowners’ benefit, 3D visualizations of the home planning can be created, providing a more “live” and tangible understanding of the project and allowing you to see the design take shape—both architecturally and in terms of interior design.
- Optional (upon request) – preparation of a detailed bill of quantities describing the scope of work, materials, and quantities selected for the various spaces in the home. This document is critical for obtaining accurate and realistic quotes from suppliers and subcontractors, and serves as a basis for contracts and orders.
- Preparation of a detailed set of execution plans for the home planning process, where each aspect has a dedicated plan specifying what needs to be done, which materials to use, and the relevant quantities. These plans guide all professionals involved during execution.
- Ongoing guidance throughout the process, including providing solutions to any issues that arise and assisting homeowners in selecting materials—such as sanitary fixtures, lighting, flooring, cladding, furniture upgrades or purchases, and more.
- Supervision throughout the entire project, with an emphasis on ensuring that all work is carried out according to the plans by the various professionals involved.
