Instructing a design professional can feel like a daunting task, especially when you are inviting them into your personal lives. The brief you give them is the cornerstone, a starting point to evolve from and return to throughout the project. The first conversations are key to helping them visualise your objectives.
These are our tips for writing a cohesive outline brief:
What are your main reasons for instructing us? You may want to extend to create more space, refurbish a property to make it your forever home or overhaul a tired garden to suit your changing needs. What are your main objectives and priorities?
What features are going to improve your day to day living? This could be anything from adding a boot room, play room, larder, outdoor kitchen, to making the most of the views into your garden, adding outdoor lighting or screening a neighbouring property.
Talk to everyone in the house about their wish list and what outcomes are important to them.
Include pictures you have collated from online sources, magazines or friends/family. The more the better! This is a great way for us to understand your style.
Think about your budget and what things you are willing to prioritise over others. Do you want to work on your project in stages or all at once? Are there time constraints?
Do you know of any planning restrictions that may affect what you want to achieve?