The Muse Process
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01
Consult
Consult with our project developer to discuss budget and scope of work.
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02
Design
The Muse Design Process
Following your initial consultation, a link to our design survey will be provided in your proposal so that you can provide MUSE with more detailed information about your style, tastes, and specific needs. Once completed, we begin our design process.
Through our design process, we will work closely with you to determine the exact cost of your project. Once we have completed the design process, we will present you with the final estimate for your project. This estimate will include all the details that we have gathered through our collaboration with you. The design process has two levels:
Tier One
Conceptual Preliminary Design Layout | Material Selections | Summary Budgeting
First Presentation | Timeline: 2 weeks from when we receive the completed design interview
Once you complete your design interview, we will reach out to schedule a measurement appointment as well as your first design presentation in our showroom. We generally schedule the first presentation about 2 weeks from receipt of the completed design interview.
Second Presentation | Timeline: About 1 -2 weeks after the first presentation
The second design presentation is about a week or so after the first. This is where we incorporate the changes from our first meeting and present an Educated Summary Budget Range for your project. We will review the budget and discuss any other changes to the design. At the end of Tier 1, the customer will have conceptual 3-D renderings of the space as well as an overall budget range that we feel the project will price out at. At this time, the customer can choose to move into Tier 2.
Recap of Tier 1 outcomes:
- Our designers will use the photos, measurements, and notes collected from the contractor meeting at your home to create a floor plan complete with any requested layout changes.
- Based on the information provided by you in your design survey, our designers will select all the fixtures and finishes you will need for your space including cabinetry, lighting, tile, plumbing, paint, countertops, etc.
- Our designers will create 3-D renderings showing the proposed new layout and the selected finishes so that you can begin to visualize your new space.
- Lastly, you will meet with our designers in our design showroom to review the floor plan and selections as well as the 3-D drawings. You will have a chance at this meeting to voice any opinions or make changes to the layout, selections, or finishes.
- We will have an estimate prepared for you based on our initial selections.
- Your design plan includes 1 round of minor revisions based on changes made at the presentation meeting. As a part of this revision, we will adjust the renderings, storyboards, and the estimate.
- Multiple 3-D views of the space
- Drawings of any layout changes
- Storyboards with photos of all material selections
- An overall budget range
Tier Two
Trade Partner Engagement | Construction Ready Drawings | Revised Itemized Estimate
MUSE will finalize all the minute details of your project which includes on-site meetings with trade partners to gain accurate bids, providing construction level drawings, and detailed pricing on items such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile, shower glass etc.
These extra steps help determine if there are any needed changes to the scope of work or material selections. At the end, MUSE provides you with a detailed, itemized budget that is considered a fixed price for your project.
Large projects requiring additions or major structural changes may require plans to be drawn up by an architect to ensure proper engineering. MUSE can recommend an architect or you may choose your own. Once plans are completed, MUSE designers will use these plans to complete the remainder of your design plan. Fees for architect or engineer are billed separately from the design fee.
Third / Fourth Meetings | Timeline: 2-3 weeks after Summary Budget Meeting
During these meetings (which can be either in-person or Zoom) we will review the fixed price budget and work to revise and finalize the design and budget. Many projects can be finalized with three meetings. More complex projects will require a fourth meeting and sometimes additional follow up before we finalize.
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03
Build
Time to Transform Your Space
Project Planning and Ordering Phase | Timeline: 5-8 weeks
When will my project start?
Once we receive the full initial deposit, we begin to pre-order all the materials and strategize the start date for your project. Materials are received to our warehouse where your project is staged. During this ordering and planning phase we are looking for supply chain issues – backorders, stock no longer available etc. We are also building a calendar and meshing our production schedule with expected material arrival to determine the best date to start your project. We’ll confirm the date with you and release the calendar. Once the calendar is completed, all of our trade partners assigned to your project will receive a notification and confirm their work dates.
Project Start to Completion | Timeline: Varies based on scope of work
Bath Projects typically take 8-10 weeks for projects with minor reconfiguration. Projects with substantial reconfiguration and intricate custom elements will take longer
Kitchen Projects can take 8-12 weeks or more depending upon scope of work. Structural reconfiguration (wall removal), electrical, plumbing and HVAC reconfiguration all add to the time it takes to complete your project.
We will discuss timeline and anticipated start date with you during the design process.
Once your project starts you will be assigned a lead carpenter who will be the primary point contact for daily progress. Your Muse designer will also be working closely with the lead carpenter and any of our trade partners to navigate the project from demolition to punch list. During the design process you will have learned how to navigate and communicate with our team through our online project management software (BuilderTrend). This will continue and be enhanced though the entire project with the calendar, daily logs, messages, change orders and more.
Here is a link to more information about BuilderTrend: BuilderTrend Quick Overview
