Among the many problems that get in the way of protecting bottom-line projections, procrastination ranks high on the list! The problem is one that plagues most businesses and their number crunchers – it certainly is not exclusive to the Interior Design industry!
In many instances (maybe most!) final decisions to move forward are closely tied to the estimates and projections put forth in the initial planning stages of an Interior design project vision. We all count the pennies and the big bucks right before affixing our “John Hancock” and turning on the green light. Everyone is excited and glad to finally get the process going!
Unfortunately, as an Interior design project (or actually any project) gets underway, a strange phenomenon seems to set in. Those numbers – the estimates and projections – tend to solidify as if set in concrete. No one would like that more than your Interior design team; but many factors come into play concerning all cost estimates, and the truth is that they must be flexible.
The friends of estimates are efficiency, consistency and decisions that are decisions! While there are several patterns that can corrupt efficiency, consistency and “real” decisions, procrastination takes the first prize. Here’s why.
When your Interior design team enters the critical planning process at the front end, there are many factors in play. First, the team needs to understand and begin to envision what you have in mine. Incidentally – if your Interior design project is as limited as the family and activity room in a home, or as extensive as the Interior design of an entire commercial facility, the initial planning process for either contains the same strategic disciplines.
Once the Vision is clarified, your Interior design team then moves with you through each aspect of the prospective project, gathering every relevant detail needed to prepare their proposal. The client – you – are presented with the most accurate projections of time and cost as can be made at that point in time.
The “integrity” of any projection or estimate is only secure in direct proportion to the efficiency with which the element in question is acted on.
Enter the enemy: simple, common, procrastination! You know, hemming and hawing and going back and forth at the last minute? Changing one’s mind just when the orders are about to be placed? Or, worse, having late, second thoughts when rep’s and manufacturers are about to push the button? (It can sound something like: Gee, I didn’t really think it was going to happen this fast and be this disruptive… or cost this much this soon … can we wait a few weeks while I’m out of town … or (a personal favorite!) my visiting uncle said he doesn’t like that blue! etc….)
Time alters everything! That includes the schedules of others, market shifts on price estimates, the very availability of any product and, of course, the weather. Procrastination can throw carefully developed cost projections, quite literally, right into the wind. It is important to connect the dots between good choices followed by firm decisions, followed by follow-through. Cost estimates have reasonable time limits – and no extended guarantees. Procrastination can be very expensive!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with [email protected]. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at [email protected] or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book and Instagram at Business Design Services.