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It happens all the time: a design agency spends past the client’s budget, the scope of the project changes, and every one of the interior designer’s worst nightmares come true. Sounds disastrous, doesn’t it?

For interior designers, the scenario painted above is exactly what happens when there’s no clear definition of the scope and expectations of the project. And this is where the client brief comes in.

The first thing you need to note about writing an interior design client brief is that you don’t need to hire an essay writer to get the job done for you in a written form. Once you understand the client’s expectations and goals, this task will be easy for you.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create an interior design client brief that ensures you and your client stay on the same page. Let’s get into it, shall we?

What is a Client Brief?

Basically, a design brief is a summary of the project on ground. It outlines the scope of the project, client’s expectations, goals, budget, and the expected timeline.

A great interior design client brief has to be detailed to ensure that there are no ambiguities or misunderstandings on the part of the client or designer. It should also cover the functionality aspect of the project.

At this point, it should be noted that a client brief is quite different from a Statement of Work (SoW). While the former is just a summary of the project, a Statement of Work is a legally binding contract and usually contains more in-depth details than a client brief.

How to Write an Interior Design Client Brief

If you’re looking to write a detailed client brief, here are a few steps to guide you through the process:

Cover the project’s scope and function

One of the first things you should outline in your design brief is the scope and function of the project. What exactly is the project all about? Is it a total home renovation or remodeling?

This section of the brief should include space planning too. For instance, the number and uses of rooms should be outlined. This part should also cover the features of each space, such as lighting, heating, flooring, and so on. This way, you and your client can have a clear vision of what the project will entail and the aspects that will not be included.

Outline client’s goals

The client’s objective should be the driving force of the project if you’re trying to achieve customer satisfaction. If you don’t pay attention to their needs and goals, you will only end up with a brief and project that suits your taste and not the client’s.

This is where your emotional quotient comes in. Pay close attention to the client’s emotional attachment to the space in question. What are their plans for this space? What are they most excited about?

Have an honest one-on-one conversation with your client about their goals and make sure you take notes.

Establish a budget

In most cases, a client will tell you what their budget for the project is. However, this isn’t the end of the road for you. You still have to evaluate the budget to determine if it is enough for the project.

If the budget is too small for what the client wants to achieve, then you may need to adjust either the budget or the scope of the project if they are willing to compromise.

Set a realistic timeline

When creating an interior design client brief, it’s important to create a timeline within which the project will be executed. For this part, you need to be as realistic as possible to ensure that you don’t over-promise and eventually under-deliver. Make provisions for any hurdles you’re likely to come across. Some missteps that will delay the project may occur, and as such, you may need to factor that in when creating a timeline.

Final Thoughts

Contrary to popular opinion, what kills an interior design project isn’t a designer’s lack of expertise – it’s a lack of understanding. That’s why it’s so important to create a detailed client brief that will ensure that you and your client remain on the same page. In this guide, we have outlined the best tips for creating an interior design client brief. However, don’t just stop at what we’ve given you. You could also throw in a few extra details that you think might be important.

Good luck!

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