Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Working with STUDIO 818
Choosing the right interior architecture & design firm for your residence is a pivotal decision. These FAQs address the most common questions discerning clients ask about our Design Execution Framework™, investment strategy, and process—and why STUDIO 818 delivers results other firms cannot.
About Our Services
Unlike traditional firms, STUDIO 818 was founded on decades of real estate development and construction expertise. Having designed, built, and delivered 50+ market-setting residences as developers, we bring a rare fluency in design, build and fiscal management.
With our proprietary Project Roadmap™ we anticipate challenges, optimize investments, and develop a clear vision for your project as the very first step.
Through our Design Execution Framework™ we craft a master design, handle all the details that determine a distinctive residence, and streamline collaboration with architects, builders, and owner’s reps.
The result: a residence that’s not only stunningly distinctive but executed with precision, efficiency, and certainty.
Our proprietary 3-phase 8-step process integrates sophisticated interior architecture & design with developer-informed project management and concierge-level execution.
Unlike traditional design approaches, it begins with pre-construction foresight and continues through white-glove turnkey completion—ensuring your vision, timeline, and investment remain aligned at every stage.
Our full-service interior architecture and design services (with Construction Concierge phases) are focused exclusively on South Florida’s most prestigious communities, including Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, East Boca Raton, and Hobe Sound. This geographic focus allows us to deliver the highest level of service with unmatched local insight.
We also work with clients across the U.S. having remotely completing projects as far as Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe. In these cases we deliver all phases of our Design Execution Framework with the exception of direct construction administration.
Project Scope & Investment
We specialize in significant residential projects including:
- Custom homes exceeding 4,000 SF
- Comprehensive estate renovations with substantial investment
- Architectural expansions exceeding 1,500 SF
- Historic property modernization requiring specialized expertise
Our clients recognize that strategic design and exceptional execution represent investments in lifestyle enhancement, legacy creation, and ultimate peace of mind.
Investments vary by scope, size, and selections. From a developer’s perspective, we provide comprehensive projections that encompass pre-construction planning, design, site work, and construction. (Furnishings represent a separate investment.)
General guidelines:
- Custom Homes: $600–$1,100+ per SF* (full design + build integration)
- Estate Renovations: Generally $225-$400+ per SF*
- Expansions/Remodels: $300–$500+ per SF*, plus new construction in Custom Home range
We refine projections during consultation and provide clarity through our Project Roadmap™.
*These all-inclusive projections cover design, planning, and construction through project completion, just as would be done with underwriting an investment-based development project. We provide an inital investment analysis during your Project Roadmap™ consultation and comprehensive guidance through the full Project Roadmap™ phase.
The Project Roadmap™ is the strategic foundation for your project. It delivers clarity on feasibility, investment, and timeline aligned with the proposed project scope —transforming uncertainty into informed decision-making before design begins.
It includes:
- Comprehensive budget projections (construction, finishes, services, developer-based ‘all-in’ investment)
- Realistic timeline with milestones
- Post-improvement property valuation
The initial Project Roadmap™ consultation is complimentary. The investment for the full Project Roadmap™ process is typically $1.50–$3.00 per SF, depending on project scope and complexity.
We provide fixed investments for full-service interior architecture & design, including white-glove furnishing. Construction-related phases are managed on an hourly basis with projected retainers.
For interior architecture & design without white-glove furnishing, the investment combines fixed rates (based on scope) with hourly retainers. This ensures transparency, efficiency, and alignment with client goals.
Process & timeline
Timelines vary:
- Custom Homes: 18-36 months (size and complexity dependent).
- Estate Renovations: 12-16 months
- Expansions: 10-14 months
Our Design Execution Framework™ eliminates delays by aligning vision, budget, and construction from the start.
The earlier, the better. Ideally, before hiring an architect or builder. This ensures interior architecture vision informs all structural decisions, saving time and preventing costly changes.
Absolutely. We collaborate seamlessly with your chosen professionals while protecting your design vision and investment. Our development background and expertise eases the builder’s role, enhances the architect’s design, and streamlines coordination. If you haven’t selected your team, we curate trusted professionals tailored to your project.
Working Together
Comprehensive services include:
- Strategic pre-construction planning
- Interior architecture + optimized flow
- Master design + material specification
- Construction documentation
- Procurement + project management
- On-site construction oversight
- Tailormade furnishing + styling for turnkey completion
Your time is protected. You’ll establish the vision and approve key selections, but we manage all design development, coordination, and execution.
Yes. For select projects we provide curated furnishings, artwork, and bespoke styling as a stand-alone service separate from our Design Execution Framework™.
With the Turnkey Lifestyle™ service tier of our Design Execution Framework™ these services are included in your project planning, design and management from the first step. This ensuring the structure, finishes, and furnishings are integrated, and your home is fully appointed and move-in ready.
Getting Started
We’re the right fit if you are:
- Planning a significant custom home, renovation, or expansion
- Located in Palm Beach, Broward, or Martin Counties
- Seeking expert execution without managing details yourself
- Prepared to make the investment required for extraordinary results
We assess project feasibility, review our framework, discuss projected timelines & investment relative to the proposed project scope, and determine mutual fit. It’s your first step toward clarity and certainty.
Begin by submitting a Project Inquiry or requesting our Discovery Deck. We’ll respond within 48 hours to discuss next steps.