Our considered process

All our projects start with a dream. Our clients desire to make their house ‘fit’ their life, to function more efficiently to their individual needs, to increase comfort and liveability, to add value when preparing to sell, to gain more usable space and/or to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

When a client first reaches out, we spend the time to understand their current situation and what they are hoping to achieve.

We do this through an:

Initial Conversation
This is a brief conversation before any formal consultation, quote, or design work begins. It’s usually casual, exploratory, and designed to ensure we are the right fit for each other. We will generally discuss what you are hoping to achieve, why and roughly when you would like to commence.

This can be undertaken through a phone call, email or social media private message. Whatever you feel most comfortable with.

In home Briefing Consultation - $350
In order to provide an accurate quotation for interior design services, it’s crucial to get a full understanding of your project, budget, and the scope of design work involved. This session typically runs for an hour to an hour and a half, and it is preferably held onsite so we can inspect the existing conditions.

You’ll then receive a detailed return brief within 2 business days post our consultation. This outlines the main discussion points ensuring everything is accurately captured, and agreed upon, before we prepare a formal design quote for review and approval.

To help prepare for our consultation, we’ll send a briefing questionnaire in advance to get you thinking about the four key elements of your project — Scope, Style, Timeframe and Budget. Reading through the questions and discussing them with your family prior to our catch up ensures that you get the most out of our time together, leaving you with a clear understanding of the path ahead and the next steps — easing any anxiety along the way.

Design Services Quote
Once we receive your approval on the scope of works return brief, we’ll prepare a formal quote for your consideration. This quote is an itemised document that clearly explains the services we’ll be providing, the associated design fees, and the terms of engagement, so you know exactly what to expect moving forward. It covers all core design phases — Concept & Planning, Design Development and Documentation — giving you a transparent understanding of how your project will progress from initial ideas through to fully resolved plans.
From there, the Construction, Styling and Handover phases are billed at an hourly rate, allowing you to choose the level of support you’d like from us once work begins onsite. This ensures the process remains flexible and tailored to your needs throughout the build.

You will find further information about our design phases in the sections below - Grow it + Build it.

Once the formalities are out of the way, we move right into what everyone looks forward to. What we call Stage 1: Design.
This includes the following project phases:

• Concept & Planning
• Design Development
• Documentation

Stage 1
The Design stage includes the bulk of the design thinking, planning, detailing, and specifying.

This is charged at a fixed cost, determined by your scope, requirements and ideal timeframe.

It includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks —
• Overall look and feel / Concept Development
• Space Planning / Floorplans
• Producing elevations and other visualisations (if requested)
• Designing and detailing custom elements such as joinery and wall panelling
• Specification schedules - furniture, finishes, fittings and fixtures sourcing and selection
• Liaising with suppliers to gather quotes and lead times
• Producing a final detailed documentation package to be provided to the client appointed Builder, Joiner and other associated trades.

A thorough documentation package helps your builder provide far more accurate, reliable quotes

Oak & Olive have worked with many wonderful builders and trades over the years, so we are here if you require any recommendations or assistance with appointing trades.

Once Stage 1: Design is complete and quotes have been obtained from recommended builders, your project then moves into the final stage which is where it is brought to life!

Stage 2: Implementation includes the following project phases:
• Construction
• Styling
• Handover

Design fees are charged slightly differently here, as an ongoing hourly rate.

In this phase, our fees cover activities such as:
• Briefing the client appointed builder and joiner with the detailed drawings
• Procurement of furniture and soft furnishings (if requested)
• Liaising with trades and suppliers during the construction phase to answer any design queries
• Reviewing any design shop drawings for items such as custom joinery, new doors and new windows
• Site visits to oversee build works
• Styling and furnishing the house prior to handover
• Assisting the client in managing any defects or damage on site

Our level of involvement in the back end of your project is discussed up front with you during the quoting stage. Rest assured we will never invoice you at the hourly rate for site visits or additional design work that you are unaware of.