FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do I need to hire anyone besides SYH?

A: That depends on your project scope. For a Full-Service Furniture & Decor  project, no! We will handle everything! We will identify and manage vendors, skilled trades, and artisans. For an architectural design project, you needn't hire any design professionals outside of SYH (if a Structural Engineer or other outside expert is necessary, we will advise you), but you will need to hire a general contractor to manage construction. Of course we have GCs in Central Indiana with whom we work regularly, whom we love and trust and would be happy to recommend. We will connect with them for early estimates once we have a schematic design on paper.

Q: Is Full-Service Design our only option?

A: We offer three levels of engagement:

1.  The Initial Consultation. While for most of our Bloomington and Indianapolis clients the Initial Consult is a launch pad for a more comprehensive scope, you may use this 90-minute to 2-hour meeting to ask whatever questions you need about your project to enable you to move forward, even if it is on your own. These conversations are as diverse as our clients and the homes they live in — from "What could we do to get a mudroom?" to "How do we prioritize the many different projects we'd like to do?” to "Should we renovate or build new?” or just "I would like a cozier, happier living room."

2. Conceptual Design. Conceptual-only scopes are for people who have both time and interest in design and project management and, additionally, expertise — either their own or that of a very trusted contractor. We often compare this level of service to a AAA TripTik. We give you direction and suggestions, advice and words of wisdom, but you drive yourself. We are travel agents, not private tour guides. You may encounter weather, closures, and roadblocks along the way; you may be distracted by a site you didn't anticipate or find another site unexpectedly closed. You navigate those things yourself as they arise, guided by the direction we provided in Conceptual Design.

3. Full-Service Interior Design. Most of our clients opt for Full Service Design, which goes beyond Conceptual Design to include product specification, construction oversight and, for decorating projects, purchasing and installation. In this scope, we go on your trip with you, so you can relax in the back and let us drive. We’ll handle everything, from traffic and detours to hotel check-ins and unexpected extra rain gear. We approach Full-Service projects proactively rather than reactively, managing as much as possible rather than pinch-hitting as questions arise. Many people know they want someone to help them work out details and specifications beyond Conceptual Design; we find that if we are engaged to that level of detail, it is equally important that we stick around during construction and furniture purchase, receipt, and installation. That's when things get real, and having an advocate for you and for the design results in better outcomes in every way, every time. We specialize in conscientious design with high-touch services that result in very thoughtful, livable, and luxurious feeling spaces. Best case scenario, that means sticking around through the entire process.

Q: How do you charge for your services?

A: Before we contract with you, we give you a design fee estimate, based on past comparable projects. This estimate is for your planning purposes only. As a professional residential interior design and architecture firm, our fees for our time will accrue at our hourly rate as we proceed through the design. They will be unique to you and your needs and space. Design fees are separate from construction and furniture costs, as well as travel time outside of Monroe County to other parts of Central Indiana and further afield. We require two deposits that equal our estimated fees, ask for more if fees go beyond our preliminary estimates, and refund any balances at the end of the project. We keep a close eye on hours/fees and work hard to balance thoroughness and efficiency. Our estimates are standardized by space and based on past experience with similar projects, but they do, of course, vary. If you are a quick decision-maker, give good feedback, and the design is very straightforward, we may come in under our estimates. If you belabor decisions, or we run into unexpected architectural conditions, or elements of the design call for deeper research or detailing, we may be over. The size and complexity of the space, of course, affect the accrual of fees: the larger and more custom the space, the more design time it takes. 

Q: What sort of timeline should I expect for the design process?

A: We try to schedule Initial Consultations within a few weeks of your call. After that, if we decide to proceed with a more comprehensive scope,  we add you to our waitlist and reach out when your launch date approaches. Once we are underway, our clients’ timelines vary widely, depending on their own pace and responsiveness and, of course, the project itself. You should count on Conceptual Design taking 2-4 months to complete and Design Development another 2-4 months, but these rough timelines depend heavily on factors that will be unique to you, your scope, your city and your contractor. 

Q: With whom will I be working from the SYH team?

A: We will determine in-house which Susan will lead your Interior Design – Susan Yeley or Susan Rudd –while Leslie Noggle brings her architectural and technical expertise to every project; even decorating-only scopes benefit from her knowledge of CAD and color, 3d modeling, and architectural detailing. Full-service projects rely heavily on our logistics gurus and vendor/contractor liaisons Keri Miksza and Brianna Alexander. Caitlin Hughes-Whittaker is everyone’s main point of contact for invoicing and technical questions about our process or apps. Embedded into our process is a chance for everyone at SYH to weigh in on all our projects as they progress. The collaborative nature of our Bloomington-based design team ensures maximal function and beauty. Every project benefits from our combined expertise in architectural design and interior design.