Working with Interior Designers: Our Preconstruction Process

At Shift Accessibility, we believe that collaboration with interior designers is key to creating exceptional, thoughtful homes. When a designer invites us into a project, we see ourselves as an extension of their team, bringing the vision to life with professionalism, care, and precision. The following outlines our process when working with designers and their clients.

Phase 1: Discovery

Our process begins with a complimentary discovery meeting involving the designer, the potential client, and our team. This meeting is all about connection:

Understanding the scope, goals, and aesthetic vision of the project
Ensuring there’s a strong personality and service fit between all parties
Clarifying roles, communication preferences, and how we can best support both the client and designer

We strongly encourage the designer’s presence at this meeting—it sets the tone for the partnership ahead.

Post-Discovery Deliverables

Following the discovery meeting, and only if requested, we can provide a very high-level Class C Budget. This early estimate serves to:

Offer a wide range ballpark price to identify whether expectations are realistic
Help disqualify opportunities that are significantly misaligned

We make it clear that this budget is non-binding and likely to evolve significantly through design.

At this stage, we also present our Preconstruction Services Agreement, which outlines the scope, responsibilities, and cost to engage Shift Accessibility through the design phase. This proposal allows the client to bring us on board early for:

Budgeting guidance
Permit management
Scheduling insights
Trade consultations
And more!

Phase 2: Preconstruction

Once engaged through the Preconstruction Agreement, we become an active partner in the design process. This includes:

Class B Budgeting: Completed once preliminary floor plans and details are available, offering more detailed cost insight. We then meet with the designer to review this budget followed by a joint client meeting to ensure alignment on costs with the full team.
Permit Management: We begin early applications to get ahead in municipal review queues.
Site Visits & Meetings: We coordinate on-site assessments and trade walkthroughs to validate design feasibility and pricing.
Exploratory Work: With client approval, we complete necessary early investigations such as hazardous materials testing, concrete scanning, exploratory demolition, and more.
Third-Party Coordination: We can engage trusted partners such as engineers to assess structural requirements, drafting professionals for permit-specific documentation, and other relevant specialists as needed.
Schedule Planning: We begin early schedule discussions and identify rough start dates to help inform the design and client planning.

Throughout this phase, our focus is clear: support the designer, serve the client, and prepare a seamless transition into construction.

Phase 3: Final Budget & Construction Contract

When the design is complete, and all selections have been finalized, we prepare a comprehensive package:

Class A (Fixed Price) Estimate: A fully detailed, fixed-price contract based on complete plans.
Scope of Work: A line-by-line outline of what is included in the project.
Contract & Schedule: A construction agreement ready for execution and a build schedule aligned with client goals.

Our Commitment to Designers

We understand the trust it takes to refer a builder. That’s why we treat every project as a reflection of the designer’s vision and reputation. When designers bring us into a project:

We prioritize their presence in key meetings, decision-making points, and prefer to have pre-client meetings to ensure alignment of expectations and roles.
We advocate for their design and ensure its accurate execution.
We work with transparency, reliability, and care, so their clients walk away impressed not only with the result, but with the process.

Let’s build something great - together.