Client Requirements & Site Survey
Once you have qualified a lead and they are genuinely interested in working with you, the next step is to understand exactly what they need and get accurate measurements of their space. Igolo Interior gives you two dedicated pages for this: Client Requirements (what the client wants) and Site Survey (what the space looks like in reality).
Together, these two pages form the foundation for everything that follows -- your designs, your quotations, your material selections, and your project timeline.
Client Requirements
Where to find it: Click Client Requirements in the sidebar.This page is where you record what matters most to your client -- their lifestyle, their taste, their budget priorities, and any special needs. Think of it as the brief that your design team will reference throughout the project.
Recording the Project Overview
Start by filling in the basics at the top of the page:
- Client/Lead Name -- Who is this for?
- Project Location -- The address or locality of the property.
- Property Type -- 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK, 4BHK, Villa, or Penthouse.
- Flat Size -- Total area in square feet.
- Budget Range -- From "Under 5 Lakh" to "Above 1 Crore."
This gives everyone on your team a quick snapshot of the project before they dive into the details.
Understanding Family Needs
This section might seem unusual, but it is one of the most important parts of the form. Knowing who lives in the home directly shapes your design decisions:
- Total Members -- How many people will live in the home? This affects storage, seating, and common areas.
- Kids -- Children need safe, durable, and playful spaces. Knowing their ages helps you plan themed rooms, study areas, and safety features like rounded edges and non-toxic finishes.
- Elderly Members -- Older family members may need grab bars in bathrooms, non-slip flooring, wider doorways, or bedroom layouts on the same floor as common areas.
- Pets -- Pets influence material choices significantly. You will want scratch-resistant surfaces, easy-to-clean flooring, and perhaps a dedicated pet nook.
Why this matters: A 3BHK for a young couple looks completely different from a 3BHK for a joint family with grandparents and two kids. Capturing this upfront prevents costly redesigns later.
Design Preferences
- Design Styles -- Select one or more styles the client gravitates toward: Modern, Minimal, Luxury, Contemporary, Traditional, or Scandinavian. You can select multiple if the client likes a mix.
- Scope of Work -- What rooms and areas are included? Full Home, Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Kids Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Bathroom, Balcony, Pooja Room, Study Room, Wardrobe, False Ceiling, Electrical, Painting. Click each one that applies.
- Special Requirements -- Free-text space for anything unique: Vastu compliance, accessibility needs, specific material preferences (e.g., "no veneer, only solid wood"), allergy considerations, or religious/cultural requirements.
- Reference Ideas -- If the client has shared Pinterest boards, Instagram posts, or magazine clippings, note the links or descriptions here. These are gold for your design team.
- Budget Constraints -- Specific notes about how the client wants to allocate their budget. For example: "Kitchen is top priority -- willing to spend 40% of budget there. Bedrooms can be simpler."
Uploading Reference Images
Use the upload area to attach mood boards, inspiration photos, or any visual references the client has shared. These help your design team understand the client's vision far better than words alone.
Saving as Draft
You do not have to finish everything in one sitting. Click Save as Draft at any time, and your progress is saved to your browser. When you come back to the page, your entries will be right where you left them.
Best practice: Fill this out during or immediately after your meeting with the client, while the conversation is fresh. If possible, fill it out together with the client -- it shows professionalism and ensures nothing gets lost in translation.
Site Survey
Where to find it: Click Site Survey in the sidebar.The site survey is your on-the-ground reality check. It captures the actual measurements, infrastructure details, and condition of the property. Accurate survey data means accurate quotations, fewer surprises during execution, and happier clients.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
Every centimeter counts in interior design. A wardrobe that is 2 inches too wide will not fit. A false ceiling planned at 10 feet will not work in a room with 9-foot ceilings and an exposed beam. Electrical points in the wrong place mean expensive re-wiring.
Taking the time to measure properly during the survey saves your team hours of rework later -- and saves your client money.
Project Information
Fill in the top section first:
- Client Name -- Whose site you are surveying.
- Location -- The full site address.
- Property Type / Size -- For example, "3BHK / 1450 sqft."
- Surveyed By -- Your name (the person conducting the survey).
Recording Room Measurements
The room measurement section is a table where you add one row per room. For each room, record:
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Room Name | Use clear, consistent names -- "Master Bedroom" not "MBR" or "Room 1." This name will appear in quotations and project plans. |
| Length (ft) | The longer dimension of the room. |
| Width (ft) | The shorter dimension. |
| Height (ft) | Floor to ceiling height. Measure in at least two spots -- some rooms have uneven ceilings. |
| Windows | Count all windows in the room. |
| Doors | Count all doors, including balcony access. |
| Notes | Anything notable -- "exposed beam at 8 ft," "window faces west (afternoon sun)," "dampness on north wall." |
Tip: Work through the property systematically. Start at the entrance and move room by room in a logical order. This way you will not accidentally skip any space.
Electrical Points
Record the existing electrical setup across the property:
- Light Points -- Total number of light connection points.
- Fan Points -- Ceiling fan connection points.
- AC Points -- Air conditioning power outlets.
- Switch Boards -- Number of switch board locations.
- Extra Notes -- Anything important, like "main distribution board is in the utility room and needs an upgrade" or "no dedicated line for kitchen chimney."
Plumbing Points
Record the plumbing infrastructure:
- Kitchen Sink Points -- Water connections for the kitchen sink.
- Wash Basins -- Connection points for bathroom and utility wash basins.
- Geyser Provisions -- Water heater connection points.
- Washing Machine -- Availability of water supply and drain points for a washing machine.
- Water Changes Notes -- Important details like water pressure issues, supply timing, or required plumbing changes.
Site Observations
This is where you document the overall condition of the property:
- Wall Condition -- Are the walls in good shape, or is there dampness, peeling paint, or cracks that need attention before work begins?
- Ceiling Condition -- Look for cracks, water stains, uneven surfaces, or signs of leakage.
- Floor Notes -- What type of flooring exists? Is it in good condition or does it need to be replaced?
- Beam/Column Notes -- Any structural elements that will affect the design, like a column in the middle of the living room or an exposed beam at 9 feet.
- Special Constraints -- Practical limitations your team needs to know about. For example: "No freight elevator -- all materials must be carried up 4 flights of stairs," or "Housing society restricts work hours to 9 AM - 6 PM," or "Parking only available for unloading before 8 AM."
Taking and Uploading Site Photos
Use the upload area at the bottom of the page to attach photos and documents:
- Room photos -- Take at least 2-3 photos of each room from different angles.
- Problem areas -- Close-up shots of dampness, cracks, old wiring, or anything that needs attention.
- Existing fixtures -- Photograph anything that will stay (built-in cupboards, AC units, geysers).
- Views from windows -- Helps with natural light planning.
- Floor plans -- Upload the builder's layout drawing if available.
Photos are categorized by type (image, PDF, other) and their file size is shown for reference.
Click Save Survey when you are done. A confirmation message will let you know the save was successful.
Tips for Accurate Site Surveys
- Bring the right tools. A laser measure is faster and more accurate than a tape measure. Bring a notepad as backup, a phone for photos, and a flashlight for dark corners.
- Measure twice. It is an old saying for a reason. Double-check critical dimensions, especially for kitchens and wardrobes where precision matters most.
- Note the irregularities. Real walls are rarely perfectly straight. If a wall is slightly angled or a room is not a perfect rectangle, note it. Your design and carpentry teams will thank you.
- Check ceiling height in every room. Do not assume all rooms have the same ceiling height. Bathrooms, balconies, and areas under beams often differ.
- Photograph everything. You can never have too many site photos. They are the next best thing to being there, and your design team will reference them constantly.
- Talk to the client during the visit. While you are measuring, ask questions. "Do you want the washing machine here or in the utility area?" "Which bedroom is for the kids?" These on-the-spot conversations surface important details that formal meetings sometimes miss.
- Do it before the quotation. A quotation based on estimated measurements is a quotation full of risk. Always survey the site before you finalize pricing.