You live in the US and own a property in the Dominican Republic: how we work remotely

A good share of my clients live in the United States. They have an apartment in Santiago, a house in the family's hometown, or a space they want ready for when they come in December. And almost all of them arrive with the same fear: "I am not there to see what they are doing."

That fear is reasonable. This article explains how we solve it.

The real problem is not distance

It is information. When you are far away, every decision reaches you late, as a WhatsApp photo, with no context, and with someone asking for money. You do not know whether the price is normal, whether the material is the one agreed, or whether what you see in the photo is what will stay.

A remote project works when from the start there is something we both look at the same way, and when information reaches you before you need to ask for it.

First, the render: we both see the same thing

Before buying a single material, I design the whole space and give you a 3D render of the finished result: layout, colors, furniture, lighting, finishes. We review it on a video call, adjust it as many times as needed, and you approve it.

That render is the agreement. It is what I commit to build and what you will compare every photo I send you against. At a distance this counts double: there is no "I pictured it differently", because you saw it first.

Fixed fee: the number does not change because you are away

I charge a fixed fee for the design and the follow-through, agreed before we start. I do not charge a percentage of what you buy or of the construction. If you want the why, I explain it in Fixed fee or percentage. Short version: with a percentage, your designer benefits when you spend more. With a fixed fee, they benefit when the space turns out well.

When the client is far away this matters even more, because you are not there to stop an expense you do not understand.

Spending reports: you know where every peso goes

During execution I send you reports on how the budget is being used, line by line: what was quoted, what was approved, what was paid, what is left. You see the furniture and material quotes directly.

If something changes along the way (a material that does not arrive, a price that went up, a new idea of yours), I tell you early, while there is still a decision to make, and we adjust together. Scope can grow or shrink. What does not happen is finding out at the end.

What a typical week looks like

• A short video call when there are decisions to make. Not every week has them.
• Photos and video of progress on site, compared against the render, not loose.
• The updated budget report.
• A message from me if something drifts, the same day I see it.

You decide; I make it happen. I coordinate contractors, supervise the work and receive materials.

What I need from you

• Drawings or measurements of the space, or someone you trust to open the door so I can survey it.
• An idea of your total budget, even a range. I design from it, not the other way around.
• How you will use it: to live in, to rent, for the family on vacation. It changes everything.
• Availability for a video call now and then, on your schedule.

An example of how it turns out

Apartment delivered turnkey: the client approved the render, followed the work through reports and photos, and walked into a finished space.

What I do not do

I do not charge a percentage. I do not buy without you seeing the quote. I do not change anything in the render without telling you. I do not leave you weeks without news.

If that is what you are looking for for your property in the Dominican Republic, write to me on WhatsApp and we will talk.