Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are building new or renovating existing, we believe engaging a Designer as early in the process as possible will result in the best possible outcome. 

We recommend allowing a minimum of 16 weeks. This allows time for your initial consultation, preparation of your scope of work and fee proposal, concept design, detailed design development and to prepare your documentation package.

We work collaboratively with architects, builders and clients to deliver a design that connects and flows seamlessly throughout your home.

All projects at Elk & Antlers start with a paid Initial Design consultation which you can schedule and make payment to book in a time with us. These meetings generally run up to 60 minutes and take place at the project site. If you are building new we can use this time to look at your Architectural plans you have in motion. We use the time together to understand the scope of works involved in your project and the Interior Design services you require. We discuss things like your renovation/build budget, your timeline, your goals, lifestyle, functionality, aesthetic and so on.

The consultation allows us to understand the full scope of your project and accurately prepare a fee proposal for the work you want to do. You will receive a custom proposal within a few days of our meeting and this will outline the brief, scope of works and our design fees associated.

Currently, our Initial Consultations are $395 inc GST for the 60 minute consultation, in-home and paid in advance to book in the time with us.

For projects outside of our usual 10km radius a travel fee will apply.

Yes! Once the design is paid in full you can use the design documentation package and plans to engage your own builder to carry out the works.

We also work with a number of builders and are able to recommend someone that could be suitable for your project.

Once you've appointed your builder, they are responsible for the site, the trades and the building project timeline. Your builder is therefore the project manager whilst we act as a liaison during the build ensuring the design details are executed and our design intent is seen through.

Depending on your project, we make regular site visits to check on progress at crucial stages, however, the timeline and execution of the build is with your appointed builder. This is charged hourly in advance, in blocks of time depending on the scale of your project.

We are happy to recommend our trusted builders and their trades, however any contracts with your selected builder and trades will be made directly with you. The reason for this is because the builder’s insurance directly covers your property and your project. Therefore, the builder will invoice you directly according to the agreed fee schedule.

Interior Designers focus on the design details, especially when it comes to the internal flow and feel of a space. We design with our client’s lifestyle in mind, and how each consideration will affect the experience from the front door and throughout.

We enjoy collaborating with Architects, Builders, and Landscape designers and quite often this is when the magic happens. All specialties joining forces to have your best interests in mind. Interior Designers often get involved with designing the details like internal joinery, kitchen, and bathrooms and consulting on colours, materials, fittings and fixtures, right down to the furniture choices and the very last cushion.

If you are starting a project that involves an extensive internal renovation of multiple rooms within the same footprint and you not not have existing conditions or a site plan measured, we will connect you with a registered drafter who can conduct this prior to engaging us.

Our approach is holistic in nature, with every selection and decision working toward a beautiful end result.

Our initial design consultation is hugely valuable as it helps us better understand your needs, wants, likes, dislikes and lifestyle. We will send you our project and lifestyle questionnaire to complete before our meeting and this will help you think about key information to share with us, such as your project goals and priorities, design and style preferences, budget and more. It’s also a great idea to have some inspiration images ready to share with us as this will help us explore your likes and design style further.

The million-dollar question and of course, depends on a range of variables such as your location, the scope of works, degree of detail and customizations, the style, condition, and age of your house, and the level of specification for materials, finishes, fittings, and appliances. Also remember many trades and builders can give you a low number in order to win the job, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

So, that’s why it is integral to have your designs, specifications and material schedules locked in and faciliated by us, your Interior design team. It is also why Builder’s appreciate a  full set of drawings covering plans, elevations and renders so they understand what they will be building, purchasing, ordering and how its intended to look.

We do not provide quotes or even estimates for the actual renovation works, this is the builder/trade. They quote based on the design/concept and specification we do, so we conduct the design and specification only.

This is why you need to engage a professional Interior Designer and have a detailed specification pack from us including concept, plans, drawings and schedule in order for the builder to quote according to what is specified.

Also, ensure your builders and trades are registered and licensed.

We work across many different design styles and our ultimate goal is for your home to reflect who YOU are! Our initial design consultation is where we get to know all about you, your lifestyle and your likes and dislikes in more detail.

From there, our design expertise allows us to interpret your brief and to develop thoughtfully considered design solutions that will add value to the way you live and enjoy your home… Plus will be highly functional, look beautiful and feel uniquely you!

Our design fees are based on your individual scope of work, using our experience on other similar projects, and will be clearly outlined in your Fee Proposal.

Implementation tasks are often more difficult to estimate in advance (such as procurement, supplier follow ups, site visits and any post-installation styling services) so these are charged at an hourly rate, and you will be provided detailed time sheets for these hourly-based tasks.

The design stage is the longest most detailed part of our process. Every project is different; however this stage typically takes 8-12 weeks.

During the design stage, we develop considered design solutions, prepare drawings and conduct personalised selections for all elements of your home – from finishes, fixtures and fittings, to furniture, furnishings, window treatments and more.

We procure samples and cost estimates and prepare a detailed design presentation for your review and approval.

We provide detailed documentation that’s relevant to your project scope and may include floor plans, kitchen, bathroom and laundry elevations, other joinery plans/elevations and RCP/ electrical plans. If your project requires 3D renders to help bring your design to life, we can provide these too.

All our designs are to scale but conceptual in nature, and it’s the responsibility of the builder or a relevant trade to check and measure all the measurements on-site and materials to ensure it’s built to code. We provide detailed material schedules outlining the selected materials, finishes and fittings (FF&E Schedule). This ensures that everyone working on your project is aligned with all the necessary information.

NOTE: For any construction drawings, particularly relating to structural alterations, whether it be internal, additions or extensions, an Architect, or registered Drafter, and/or engineer would need to be engaged.

We do! Most of our projects are based in Sydney's north west, lower north shore and inner-city suburbs, however, if your project is outside of these areas, or rural or interstate we’d love to hear from you.