Many interior designers assume that delivering beautiful designs and sourcing inspiring materials is enough to keep a project moving smoothly. But builders face an entirely different set of pressures. Construction schedules are tight, subcontractors require precise instructions, and even small delays can become costly.
The more a designer understands what the builder needs, and when they need it, the smoother every project becomes. Learning to deliver complete design information at the right time is one of the most effective ways to strengthen builder relationships and build long-term business growth.
At Four Stripes, this philosophy is shaped by direct experience. The founder of Four Stripes once took on the role of general contractor to build a personal residence after years in interior design, civil engineering, and construction management. Despite extensive experience, the realities of coordinating subcontractors, managing schedules, and navigating costly change orders revealed just how dependent builders are on receiving complete, timely design information.
This experience led to the creation of a new process focused on delivering highly detailed design documentation early in the construction process. Over time, builders consistently shared how much easier it was to work with these complete design decks compared to other projects. As builder referrals increased, the firm’s project pipeline stayed full, leading to waitlists and steady business growth.
Builders rely on interior designers to provide far more than inspiration images or product mood boards. Their job is to execute highly specific design instructions, translate plans into field work, and keep the trades moving without constant questions or change orders.
A well-prepared design deck should include:
Simply handing a builder a folder of inspiration photos is not enough. Builders need working drawings and product specifications they can hand directly to their subs to begin execution.
Many interior designers wait until architectural plans are fully engineered before starting the design process. By then, many important details are already locked in, and opportunities for collaboration with the builder or architect have been missed.
The best approach is to begin design collaboration early -during architectural planning- and to front load decisions as much as possible. Once a completed floor plan exists, design selections can begin.
During architectural design, key topics to address include:
The more decisions that can be made before engineering begins, the fewer delays and costly revisions arise later.
At Four Stripes, the goal is to deliver a fully completed design deck to the builder before excavation begins. This approach remains uncommon in the industry but has been a key factor in long-term success.
By delivering the full design package upfront, you allow the builder to:
Simply put, decisions made on paper are easier, cheaper, and faster to adjust than decisions made after construction has begun.
Many designers still follow a “design-as-you-go” model, making selections late in the build or reacting to site conditions as they arise. This creates a cascade of problems:
Time is money. A delayed construction schedule hurts everyone involved, from client to builder to designer. The emotional toll on clients navigating constant choices under pressure is just as significant as the financial cost.
Even with excellent preparation, changes sometimes occur. Products may be discontinued. Clients may adjust preferences. Site conditions may require minor adaptations. But with a comprehensive design deck in place from the start, most changes are limited to small adjustments rather than major redesigns that stall the build.
When change orders do arise, having most decisions already made allows designers to quickly recommend suitable replacements and keep the project moving.
Designers who consistently deliver complete design decks on time:
Builders appreciate designers who help make their job easier. Over time, this reputation drives sustained business growth.
Pro Tip
If you want builders to keep sending you projects, deliver complete design documentation before excavation begins. A fully prepared design deck allows the builder to execute your vision without delays, questions, or costly revisions.
