Interior designers are well aware that completing all design decisions and documentation does not equate to the end of design effort for any given project. During actual construction, implementation, and installation, an interior designer remains actively involved in decisions, troubleshooting, coordination, and client communications. This phase is referred to as Construction Administration in the industry. 

Interior design projects range from those that involve construction (for which a building permit is required) to those that involve placement of furnishings only. Between major construction projects—such as a new home build or a major remodel to an existing home—and projects that involve new furniture pieces only, there is a whole range of different scopes. Here, we are talking about interior design projects that involve construction activities, which could include significant construction or just new finishes, cabinetry, or millwork, regardless of whether a building permit is needed. 

So, at what milestones during a residential construction project is it critical that an interior designer make a site visit to review completed work and provide approvals? 

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Residential building codes can be a daunting topic for interior designers. They are complex, lengthy, and written in legalese. But interior designers shouldn’t feel apprehensive about having a thorough understanding of the codes pertaining to single-family residences. 

Our first Design Brief will cover basic information about code formatting and application, as well as share the most significant changes that have been made in the last several years.

For a thorough documentation of residential code requirements for specific building features (stairways, fireplaces, electrical outlets, lighting), be sure to check out our Residential Building Codes Handbook.

Building codes are intended to ensure greater safety within the built environment, not to add needless requirements or costs to building construction. In the United States, single-family homes and duplexes are mostly regulated by the International Residential Code(IRC), which is free to access online here. The IRC is in use or adopted in 49 of the 50 states, plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Wisconsin uses their own hybrid Residential Code, but it is closely based on the IRC. In Canada, codes for housing are covered in Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada. 

Any building larger than a single-family or duplex residence is regulated by the more expansive International Building Code and other code publications that regulate mechanical, plumbing, and electrical applications. The IRC is largely comprehensive in that it includes mechanical, electrical, and other considerations for single-family homes and duplexes. However, other code documents and standards are referenced within the text.

Most building codes—including the IRC—are updated every three years to encompass emerging building construction strategies. The current version of the IRC was published in the Spring of 2024, with upcoming versions scheduled for 2027, 2030, 2033, and so on. However, each individual municipality (city or township) can choose which version they adopt and when, provided they are utilizing codes published within the previous ten years. Check with the municipality’s building department website (where the project home is located) to verify which version is being enforced. 

Several notable changes have been made to the IRC in the last few years, which are summarized in this article. 

Dear Dakota, 

Do you have tips for managing the not-quite-end of a renovation project? This is when things start to unravel. Clients get anxious and start to micromanage because they're exhausted and overwhelmed. It's not a pleasant experience for anyone involved

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How do we protect ourselves from a contractor's mistake or hold a contractor accountable for a portion of the cost?

Join The DTS Files to see the advice and insights I shared with this designer.

Dear Dakota,

I have been working with a builder for almost 3 years. He is continually changing his process and his projects are a time suck. He is not accountable for his own process and I found out last week he threw me under the bus to cover his own ass. I'm finally at a crossroad and wondering if I need to stop working with him. However, his business is a consistent cash flow. One of his "project managers" hates working with designers. He will purposely not call anyone on my team for tile walks, paint walks, etc. because he doesn't want to deal with us telling him things are installed incorrectly. I have spent hours and hours of my time with his clients and honestly feel bad for them. I know they have no idea what's going on behind the scenes and I feel totally stuck. HELP!

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

I'm so excited and honored to be featured on The Interior Design Business CEO Podcast with Desi Creswell. She and I chat about three common myths designers have that hold them back from implementing systems and processes. 

Here's what we chatted through: 

1. How to get your team and contractors on board with change (and what to do if they push back)

2. What process to fix first even when everything feels like a hot mess

3. How to narrow in on what to consume (and what to ignore) when you feel like everything must be perfect 

I’d love for you to listen to the episode below and explore the three biggest myths about systems in your interior design business with us.

Dear Dakota,

Although I have completed several kitchen and bath projects, I don't market myself as a K&B designer because I haven’t found the service to be profitable. Is that an area I should expand my business into? And what advice do you have for how to make these projects more profitable?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.