{"id":9053,"date":"2022-05-03T21:06:53","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T21:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kevinbarry.com\/?p=9053"},"modified":"2022-05-04T20:29:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-04T20:29:56","slug":"four-keys-to-a-smooth-install","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kevinbarry.com\/four-keys-to-a-smooth-install\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Keys to a Smooth Install"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In these “unprecedented times,” the job of architects, designers, purchasers, and manufacturers has become all the more difficult, from shipping issues and tightened budgets to vendor shortages and hiring woes. At HD Expo’s Social Hub, sponsored by KBAA, a panel of design and purchasing teams came together to discuss those big issues and offered their keys for resolving those issues and ensuring a streamlined concept to completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key No. 1: Communicate.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to managing both designer and purchaser expectations, all panelists agreed there\u2019s really one solution: communication. Pick up the phone, be open about what\u2019s going on, be realistic in your conversations, and don\u2019t overpromise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That communication must also extend throughout the entire project, not just the beginning stages. For example, all designers on the panel agreed that finish sample approval via photo simply isn\u2019t as effective, and encouraged attendees to explain to owners and GCs the importance of waiting on those samples\u2014even if it delays the schedule\u2014to see the finishes and details in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key No. 2: Be open about budgets.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Along those lines, Jasmine Brevik, director of hospitality at Absolute Procurement, said it\u2019s vital to be open and honest about budgets.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStart with the specifics; it\u2019ll help everyone,\u201d she said. \u201cThe more we\u2019re given, the better. \u2026 We\u2019re trying to make what you\u2019ve sent happen. That\u2019s how you get misled in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a million ways to get creative about budgets, concurred Kellie Sirna, Studio 11 Design, but that\u2019s only possible if open and honest conversations with ownership are happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mirriam Torres\u2019s firm, Parker-Torres Design<\/a>, goes so far as to reject projects without a budget to avoid what she called the \u201cvalue engineering\u201d process. The reason she\u2019s able to do that, however, is because of the strong relationships she\u2019s built with ownership over the years, who trust her and understand the \u201cwhy\u201d behind that stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key No. 3: Produce good specs, and on the other end, shop drawings. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the most demanding, yet important, steps of the design process is creating specs (and, for purchasers and vendors, shop drawings), which some panelists argued is just as important as the end product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our responsibility to produce good specs,\u201d Torres said. \u201cThat\u2019s how we get return clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond that, if specs aren\u2019t complete or accurate, it can also delay the project even longer\u2014which any designer knows is something no one can afford in this \u201cNew Normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few tips for better specs and shop drawings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n