Building or renovating your home should be exciting...
not overwhelming!! Yet so many homeowners jump into the process with half-finished plans or vague builder quotes, only to face budget blowouts, confusion, or design regrets later.
We chatted to Sara Rhodes of SA Interior Design for her advice as she has created a comprehensive design package that gives Sydney homeowners clarity and confidence from day one.
It’s a simple, structured 8-step process that ensures every detail is nailed before you speak to builders, saving you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Design Brief
Every great home starts with a conversation. They sit down and take the time to understand how you live, what you love, and what you want your space to feel like. Whether it’s a renovation or a new build, this step defines your goals, style preferences, and practical needs.
Why it matters: Getting the brief right from the start means every decision afterwards aligns with your vision, not someone else’s.
Step 2: Concept Design
This is where ideas turn into a plan. The team create floorplans and spatial layouts that bring your lifestyle to life, ensuring flow, function, and comfort. You’ll see how your spaces connect and where design opportunities shine.
This stage forms the foundation of your home design package, setting up accurate planning and seamless communication with your builder.
Step 3: Internal Elevations
Here’s where they dive into detail. This is where your home design goes from good to exceptionally clear. Think of this as the stage where your home’s interior comes to life on paper, every cabinet, tile, and switch is carefully considered and drawn to scale. Without internal elevations, even small assumptions (like where tiles stop or how high a shelf sits) can lead to costly mistakes or delays. With them, you get total precision, consistent pricing, and peace of mind knowing everyone is literally working from the same page.
Why it matters: Builders love detail. It minimises guesswork and helps you get consistent, accurate pricing from the start.
Step 4: Mood Boards
This is where your personality shines. SA Interior Design provide curated mood boards combine finishes, colours, materials and textures to show how each element ties together. They balance aesthetics with practicality, ensuring your home looks beautiful and works for everyday life. Whether it’s bold stone benchtops, soft neutrals or rich timber tones, you’ll see how it all flows before you commit.
Step 5: 3D Renders
Seeing is believing. The team produce realistic 3D renders let you experience your design before construction begins. You can walk through your kitchen, living areas, or bathroom virtually and make changes confidently.
Why it matters: It’s easier (and cheaper!) to tweak a render than to re-build a wall.
Step 6: Fixtures, Finishes and Equipment (FFE) Schedule
This is your design bible. An FFE Schedule lists every material, fitting, and finish, from tapware to tile choices, in one clear document. Builders use it to quote accurately, suppliers use it to order efficiently, and you use it to keep everything on track.
Homeowners looking for accurate builder quotes or design documentation will find this stage invaluable.
Step 7: Builder Tendering
Once your design pack is complete, it’s time to get quotes. SA Interior Design help you present your documentation to two or three trusted builders. Because your plans, renders, and schedules are detailed and consistent, each builder quotes on the same information, making it easy to compare apples with apples.
Why it matters: You’ll avoid “surprise” costs later because everyone is pricing the same design.
Step 8: Final Design Package Handover
You now have a complete, builder-ready interior design package. From concept plans and mood boards to detailed elevations and FFE schedules, you’re fully equipped to move forward with confidence, whether you work with us through the build or hand over to your chosen builder.
This stage completes the interior design process that ensures your home is ready for accurate quoting and smooth construction.
Why this approach works
Homeowners say this process gives them confidence and clarity. Instead of making rushed decisions during construction, they’re prepared, informed, and in control.
You’ll know:
- Exactly what’s included in your interior design package
- How your space will look and function
- What your builder is quoting on, with no hidden extras
That’s the power of good design and preparation.
If you’re ready to create a comprehensive home design package that makes your build smoother and stress-free, Sara and her team would love to help! Contact SA Interior Design to begin your 8-step journey.
For more goodness and advice on interior design check out our articles here
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