Inside began as a collaboration between Neville Parker and Paul de Lisle back in late 1999 when Nev was asked to undertake a large office design project within a very tight timeframe - and with the 1999-2000 holiday break in the middle. Both self-employed at the time, they collaborated to design and deliver a complex, evolving fitout project utilising a construction management method of delivery – each trade was tendered and commissioned separately as the design documentation was completed.

Things became more difficult as the project quadrupled in size within the first two weeks (a merger of two companies) - but we delivered on time, on budget and to design expectation.

And so began Inside.

We have taken on a very diverse range of projects since then. Complacency is not in our nature - we are always open to new challenges to which we can apply our design methodology. You will see from our gallery of work that we've been involved in just about every facet of building and interior design.

· We design from the inside - the performance and aura of any space, be it house or office or commercial building, will drive our design thinking.

· Always having an eye on buildability is our edge - the combined ability to creatively design then scrutinise how it might be successfully turned into reality is what sets us apart from others in our profession.

· Communication is key within the office. We all sit close together. We all work on the same projects. We all contribute to discussions. We always eat lunch together- halloumi cheese salads and smoothies are in. We all listen in on phone calls (except the personal ones) to make sure we are all in touch with what’s happening on our projects.

· We will always try to be more accommodating than most. We understand that for some of our clients the design process is unfamiliar, so we will endeavour to make the experience a comfortable one.

· Our office will always be a relaxed, open and friendly place to be. There are no enclosed rooms at our place - all meetings are in the open and most are held around our central tall table.

· Exceptional design comes from understanding and embracing constraints.

Your first contact with us about your design project is free of any charge and obligation.

After that, unless we agree otherwise, please anticipate us charging our people at hourly rate for inputs. Our rates vary from $135/hr to $200/hr depending on the level of expertise required.

To get the most out of the first meeting, it’s helpful if you provide information to us ahead of the meeting so we can do some preliminary research and possibly make that first session more productive.

Assuming we agree to work together, we’ll either work on a hourly rate with detailed time reporting or agree a fee for the initial concept stages to get the project going. Once the concept has been sorted, we’ll be in a position to figure out the inputs required from us to complete the documentation aspect of the project - to be completed either by hourly or to a set fee based on a defined scope. The project administration phase is completed on an hourly rate basis.

For project budgeting purposes, we can estimate the likely fees for the entire project at the beginning based on our experience of similar projects completed.

We prefer to work on a time and materials basis – we believe this is method is fair for all. However, we understand that some projects require a definitive fee. In these cases, we will work up  a detailed scope with time allocations as we expect for the project and fix the fee on this basis. Be aware that the fee is fixed against the scope and departures from this scope will attract further costs (charged at hourly rates).

We are aware that most projects require a concept and project cost estimate to be established as early as possible. We will work up a concept in 3D (we use Revit software) – just enough to cement the idea and allow the preliminary cost estimate to be prepared. We call this a “hold point” – to stop and consider the next move.

The extent of our involvement can then be agreed for continuing the project.

If your requirement is entirely about remedial consultancy, expect an hourly charge arrangement as being the only way forward - as these projects usually cannot be scoped until all the investigation work has been completed. Note that remedial consultancy is often commissioned prior to the first site inspection - so expect the hourly rate charge to begin immediately.

Our terms and conditions of engagement are on our short form agreement (available on request).