What Happens in an Interior Design Consultation With Ace’sDesign
- Ace's Design
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
The first meeting with a designer sets the tone for everything that follows, so it helps to know
what to expect going in.
Understanding how you live
Before any design direction comes up, expect questions about daily routines. How many
people live in the home, whether anyone works from home, how often you cook versus order
in, who uses which rooms and when. These details shape the plan more than most people
realise. A household that cooks daily needs a kitchen built around workflow. One that orders
in more often might prioritise storage and bar space instead. Same budget, different
outcome.
Site conditions and what's allowed
For HDB flats, the conversation often turns to what can be changed. Hacking walls,
reconfiguring layouts, and other structural works require a renovation permit from HDB
before anything starts, and certain works cannot begin until that approval comes through.
This step is easy to overlook because nothing visible happens during it, but it affects the
overall timeline.
For condo units, the equivalent is approval from the Management Corporation Strata Title
(MCST). Works affecting common property, such as drilling into structural walls or modifying
utility risers, typically need written MCST approval first.
A consultation should flag these requirements early, so there are no surprises about the
timeline later.
Budget discussed
A realistic budget range early on shapes every design decision that follows. According to
Qanvast's 2026 cost estimates, a 4-room BTO renovation typically ranges from $40,000 to
$62,000, while resale flats tend to be higher due to demolition and rewiring. These numbers
vary by scope, but having a frame of reference helps the conversation stay grounded. What to bring A few reference photos help, even rough ones. Floor plans, if available, though
measurements can be taken on site. And a sense of what matters most. If lighting or storage
is the priority, saying so early changes how the whole concept comes together.
After the consultation
What follows is a concept direction and cost estimate based on our discussion. This isn't the
final design, but it should be close enough that nothing feels like a surprise later. If
something doesn't sit right at this stage, that's the moment to raise it, before carpentry
begins.
A good consultation leaves you with a clear sense of what your renovation will involve, what
it will cost, and how long it will take.
That sense of clarity is part of a bigger picture. Every home we design is someone's new
chapter, and that's why we put extra care into both the planning and the execution. We don't
just design houses, we create spaces where life flows better.
Ready to start the conversation? Book a free consultation with Ace's Design and let's talk
through your space, your budget, and what's possible.
