01 / Project brief
Begin with rooms involved, location, timing, investment context, and any existing plans. This is enough to judge basic fit without turning the first form into a design exercise.
02 / Fit + site review
If the project appears aligned, a conversation and site review establish the existing condition, goals, access, household constraints, and whether design or other professional input is required.
03 / Scope + planning
Layouts, major scope, allowances, assumptions, unknowns, and decision responsibilities are developed far enough that the project can be discussed honestly. An unresolved decision is not forbidden; an invisible unresolved decision is.
04 / Selections + proposal
Selections that materially affect price or schedule are moved forward. The proposal should reflect the same scope everyone has been discussing—not a low placeholder with the difficult decisions deferred.
05 / Schedule + preparation
Lead times, permits/professional input if required, trade sequence, site protection, household logistics, and start conditions are coordinated before demolition.
06 / Construction rhythm
Defined communication checkpoints, questions grouped when practical, changes documented, and owner decisions requested with enough context to understand schedule/cost effect.
07 / Closeout
Final details, walkthrough, known punch items, care information, and project records are handed off without pretending a renovation never has follow-up details.
