A successful interior design project does not happen by accident. It is the result of a clear brief, a disciplined design process, meticulous material specification, competent construction, and a thorough handover. Clients who understand each stage of this process — and who know what to look for and what to ask at each point — consistently get better outcomes than those who delegate everything and hope for the best. This complete interior design project checklist for Bangladesh covers every stage from the initial brief to handover, giving you the knowledge to be an effective client.
Stage 1: The Brief
The brief is the foundation of the entire project. A vague brief produces a design that interprets your needs correctly only by chance. A detailed, honest brief produces a design that genuinely fits your life.
- ☐ Document how each room is used — by whom, at what times, for what activities
- ☐ List every category of item that needs storage in each room
- ☐ Identify non-negotiables (things that absolutely must be in the design)
- ☐ Identify preferences (things you want but could compromise on)
- ☐ Collect reference images — even if you cannot articulate what you want, images communicate it
- ☐ Establish the budget range honestly — including contingency
- ☐ Set the programme — when do you need the project completed?
- ☐ Identify any constraints — building management rules, structural limitations, lease restrictions
Stage 2: Designer Selection
- ☐ Review portfolio — does the designer’s work demonstrate capability in your project type?
- ☐ Check references — speak to previous clients about programme delivery, budget management, and post-handover support
- ☐ Understand the fee structure — design fee only, or integrated design and build?
- ☐ Clarify who will be your primary contact and who will be on site
- ☐ Confirm the designer holds professional indemnity insurance
- ☐ Review the contract carefully — scope, fee, programme, change order process, and dispute resolution
Stage 3: Design Development
- ☐ Review the space plan — does the furniture layout reflect how you actually use the rooms?
- ☐ Check circulation — can you move naturally through every space without squeezing past furniture?
- ☐ Verify storage volumes — is there enough storage for everything you own?
- ☐ Review material samples in person — not on screen; colours and textures read differently in real life
- ☐ Test paint colours on large patches in the actual room before approving
- ☐ Confirm every material specification is appropriate for Bangladesh’s climate
- ☐ Review lighting design — is every room planned with ambient, task and accent layers?
- ☐ Sign off the design in writing before construction begins — changes after construction starts cost 3–5x more
Stage 4: Pre-Construction
- ☐ Confirm all materials are specified to brand, model, finish, and size — not generic descriptions
- ☐ Verify long-lead items (imported furniture, custom joinery) are ordered with adequate lead time
- ☐ Confirm the contractor has viewed the site and the scope is fully understood
- ☐ Obtain building management approval for all works (contractor access, working hours, lift usage)
- ☐ Arrange temporary storage or accommodation if the property will be uninhabitable during works
- ☐ Confirm the programme milestones and payment schedule
Stage 5: Construction
- ☐ Visit site regularly — at least weekly for active projects
- ☐ Check waterproofing membrane has been applied and tested before tiling in all bathrooms and wet areas
- ☐ Verify tile layout and grout colour before full installation begins
- ☐ Confirm electrical rough-in (conduit, junction boxes, switch positions) matches the design before walls are closed
- ☐ Check cabinet delivery against specification before installation
- ☐ Document any variations from the agreed specification in writing
- ☐ Raise snags immediately — do not accumulate a long list for the end of the project
Stage 6: Pre-Handover Snagging
- ☐ Walk every room with the designer and contractor with good lighting (torch if necessary)
- ☐ Check all paint finishes for runs, brush marks, uneven coverage, and colour consistency
- ☐ Test every door and drawer — they should open and close smoothly with no racking or catching
- ☐ Test all electrical fittings, switches, sockets, and dimmers
- ☐ Run water in every fixture — check for leaks, correct drainage, and hot water supply
- ☐ Check tile grouting for consistency, completeness, and correct colour throughout
- ☐ Verify all specification items are present and match the agreed specification
- ☐ Produce a written snagging list — nothing is accepted verbally only
Stage 7: Handover
- ☐ Receive all documentation: as-built drawings, material and finish schedules, equipment manuals, warranty certificates
- ☐ Obtain maintenance guidance for all materials — particularly stone, timber, and specialist finishes
- ☐ Confirm the defects liability period and the process for reporting post-handover issues
- ☐ Retain 5–10% of the construction contract value until the snagging list is fully resolved
- ☐ Photograph the completed project before moving in — this documentation is useful if defects arise later
Post-Occupancy: The First Year
- ☐ Report any defects to the contractor within the defects liability period (typically 12 months)
- ☐ Service air conditioning units at 6-month intervals
- ☐ Re-seal natural stone surfaces (bathrooms, kitchen countertops) at 12 months
- ☐ Check silicone sealants in bathrooms for mould or separation at 12 months — reseal if necessary
- ☐ Touch up paint finishes where scuffs or marks have accumulated after a year of occupation
Related: How to Choose an Interior Designer | Interior Design Budget Guide | Common Interior Design Mistakes | EPC Integrated Delivery | Interior Design Cost Guide
Starting a project in Bangladesh? Contact House De Arch — our process follows every step on this checklist, on every project, every time.