Our Frequently Asked Questions
General design questions:
Many people might use ‘interior designer’ and ‘interior decorator’ as interchangeable terms, but there is a difference. Interior designers design an interior space to increase its functionality and to make it more habitable. They study human psychology, and observe and question their clients in order to understand how they live, in order to better design a space. Interior designers receive formal qualifications in these subjects, often studying for two-year or four-year degrees. They are technical and can function as your architectural designer in some instances. They also work closely with architects, creating designs within a building’s internal area. After designing a space, an interior designer may also decorate it.
Interior decorators deal with the aesthetics of an existing space. They use color, texture, furniture, and accessories to make a space more pleasing to the eye. In short, an interior designer designs and may also decorate a space. An interior decorator only decorates it.
It’s best to bring your interior designer, architect, and builder in together at the start of your project. Then there can be some give and take in the vision stage which makes it easier to to stay within budget. This helps avoid revisions during the construction document phase or even worse, the construction phase where it can be expensive to make changes to the plan. We like to be involved as early as possible so we can take a look at architectural plans before they are finalized and make sure every detail is accounted for.
General questions about our company:
We are not registered architects. However, in the state of California, we are qualified to design and draw a full set of permit drawings, and regularly provide a complete set of construction documents to obtain a building permit. Architects primarily focus on the exterior of the home and work their way in. They don’t typically work on interior layout and finish selections. We, additionally, will focus on the interior finishes, aesthetics, flow and functionality as well as building safety and codes.
Although we encourage and welcome opportunities to partner with an architect, depending on the scope of work, it is not always required. Most of our clients do not hire an architect for their project, for we function as the designer & architect in most situations, in conjunction with structural engineers. Once we have created and defined the design and structure, we pass the drawings to our structural engineer who will work on the seismic drawings and calculations.
Together, we will come up with a vision, plan, and budget for your project that achieves your design and financial objectives that will maximize your investment. We understand how construction budgets work.
Don’t settle for a “cookie cutter” look or “contractor grade” finishes. Your home should be a reflection of you and your family; unique to your lifestyle. During our construction site visits, we typically spot issues early, before they become a problem, saving you time and money in the long run. As designers, we see in 3D and understand how space and volume work, and how to implement that scope to bring the whole vision along with a level of attention to minute details that others may not see. Not only do we bring the vision in the beginning of the conceptual phase, but we also bring our vision to the project along the way when things go wrong, and adjustments need to be made.
Because we obsess over every single detail and decision, this can be what makes the difference between a “good outcome” and the “best outcome”. Every project consists of thousands of decisions. The final product is the sum of its parts. We have your “best outcome” in mind.
Being on the job site day in and day out, we have a level of experience and inside knowledge of the construction process that the traditional homeowner might not possess. We will make recommendations and suggestions that will assist you in making informed decisions. Typically, different and specific trades are required for certain scopes of work with each trade only knowing their area of expertise with no other overlap. Equipped with the general understanding of different trades, we provide that overlap and bridge the gap.
Bringing on a designer early enough in a project to do most of the planning makes the entire construction process run smoother. With a project like a kitchen remodel, we can create the designs that emphasize ergonomics, aesthetics and flow down to the details of the finishes. A designer can help save months of construction time and can lower the entire cost of the renovation project by helping eliminate cost overruns.
When we create your construction documents, they are detailed floorplans with finishings already specified in our documents. The documents clearly define the scope of work and design specifications.
We are not a design-build company. We act as your representative in working with your contractor to produce high-quality results without compromising on results.
During the ‘BUILD’ phase, we work closely with the contractor to ensure the design is executed as planned.
General questions about our fees:
As our work is highly customized, with each project being unique in scope, size, and location, our design and construction support fees are tailored to specific project needs. This customization involves a combination of flat rates and hourly fee schedules, determined by factors such as project complexity, size, and location. For projects beyond our immediate area, additional fees for travel and accommodation will be applied to the overall charges. We also have a minimum expenditure for tangible goods. Bynn Esmond Designs is an authorized reseller in California. Our product sales are marked down from MSRP/Retail.
For instance, our room interior designs range from $1,750 – $7,550, with kitchens/baths at $7,500 – $52,550.
Our design fees do not include materials. However, during the interior design and finish selection phase of the project, we will work with you to determine the exact cost of your finish materials.
We are an authorized product reseller in California. From cabinetry, to lighting, plumbing fixtures, furniture, window treatments, art, tile, area rugs, bedding, and accessories, we have the ability to provide less than retail pricing to our clients to help their investment stretch further than if they shopped on their own.
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