Why this checklist exists
On Mostaql, a Riyadh client paid for buildable "contemporary Najdi" villa drawings. Later they said the drawings did not match each other, the detail was weak, and delivery was late. It is the clearest Saudi example we found of a pretty 3D picture without drawings a builder can use. So treat this page as a checklist for any interior designer in Riyadh, and tick it stage by stage before you pay each part.
Deliverables by stage
Names differ between studios. What matters is agreeing in writing what your quote includes.
| Stage | What you receive | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation / site visit | Your needs and budget understood, measurements taken | Free or paid? |
| 2. Concept / mood board | Colour, material and furniture references for the style | How many concept options? |
| 3. 2D layout | Plan showing furniture placement and movement in each room | Can I change it before the next stage? |
| 4. 3D images | Realistic views of the rooms | How many views? All rooms? |
| 5. Executive drawings (DWG) | Dimensioned drawings and details that the contractor and carpenter build from | Do they match the 3D and the layout? |
| 6. Bill of quantities | List of materials and amounts so you can compare contractor offers | Does it include furniture or works only? |
| 7. Site supervision | Follow-up visits to confirm the work matches the drawings | How many visits, and who comes? |
| 8. Handover | Final check, snag list, materials list and warranty | Is the warranty written down? |
These items are the same tick-list we expect designers to show on their profiles: mood board, 2D layout, 3D images, executive drawings, bill of quantities, supervision and execution.
Checking drawings without being an engineer
Ask to see the drawings next to the 3D images, then compare:
- Is each room laid out the same way on every sheet?
- Are sizes and details written, or only a nice picture?
- Are materials and colours named?
- Is there a delivery date for each stage?
If the sheets contradict each other, stop before the work begins. Fixing paper costs far less than fixing a wall.
What to do next
1. Paste the table above into a WhatsApp message and ask which stages your quote covers.
2. Tie each payment to a stage you have actually received.
3. Write down the number of revision rounds.
Do I need all eight stages?
No. A small refresh may only need consultation, a 2D layout and 3D. Once walls or building work are involved, executive drawings and the bill of quantities protect you.
Sources
- Mostaql project (Riyadh client, contemporary Najdi villa drawings): https://mostaql.com/go/1270218
- Thumbtack, interior designer cost (questions to ask): https://www.thumbtack.com/p/interior-designer-cost
- Homes & Gardens, questions to ask before hiring an interior designer: https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/questions-to-ask-befor…
- Checkbook, interior designers: https://www.checkbook.org/washington-area/interior-designers
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