At what stage should we hire you?
In a perfect world, you want to get your Designer or Realtor involved as early as possible. An experienced Realtor or Designer can offer value and expertise from the second those dreams start bubbling. Insights on ideal home locations, floor plan layouts, style preferences, flow and function are all looked at early on in any home search, renovation or new build and play crucial roles in how happy you will be with your new home!
How do I get ready to sell or buy a home?
We have a ton of resources and advice we can provide you, whether you are looking to sell or buy. It can feel overwhelming, but that is why having someone to help you navigate and tackle things that will give you the biggest bang for your buck (and time!) is so important. We know exactly what you are going through and it is our goal to make your home selling or buying journey as “flawless” as possible! Real Estate consultations are free of charge and we use this time to arm you with all the information you will need to move to the next stage of your journey.
What should I expect from an interior design Initial Consultation?
During an Initial Consultation for a design project, you will meet with one or more of our designers (depending on project scope and size). The designer will have you tour them through your space and will discuss your project in detail. Discussion will include desired changes, style, function and budget. The designer will walk you through our process and how it pertains to your project specifically. If time allows, measurements and photos needed for completing design work will also be collected at this time. If time doesn’t allow, we will schedule to come back for these another day. If you have hired us for only an Initial Consultation, items such as paint color selections, furniture placement, window treatment ideas etc. can all be possible discussion points. Drawings or finish selections (unless you have samples you want our advice on) will not be included in an Initial Consultation meeting.
How do I budget for design services?
Following your Initial Consultation and home walkthrough, you will receive a design estimate that will detail our scope of work and list of deliverables together with a quote of our design fees. This way you can feel comfortable knowing what your design costs will be before committin gto move the project forward. Typical design fees fall anywhere between 6% and 10% of your construction budget, with the larger the size of project typically falling in the lower percentage range. If you are not sure you are ready to commit to a consultation, book a free 30 minute phone or zoom meeting to see what we are all about!
What styles do you work with and how do you figure out mine?
We work with almost every style from Traditional to Contemporary to Modern and everything in between. This is about your journey and your style preferences, not ours. An important part of the Initial Consultation for us is seeing your space, the architecture of your home, your artwork and furniture to get a sense of who you are. If we still aren't fully sure, we have our clients pull together Pinterest or Houzz boards to help us get a sense of what they desire in their new space.
What are my roles and responsibilities as your client?
Working with a Designer or Realtor requires a certain amount of trust and open dialogue. We want clients to feel comfortable sharing their wants and needs and also allowing us to use our knowledge and experience to ensure they get the best end results possible. Being present and honest during meetings and being responsive to communication is key throughout the design and/or home search process. Trusting that we are all after your ideal end result keeps the process fun and effective.
Do you have partner trades and contractors that you can recommend?
We have partnered with amazing local contractors, home inspectors, mortgage brokers and just about anyone else you might need to assist with your home purchase or renovation. This helps immensely with communication and project management. Many clients come to us, however, with their own contractor or builder, and that works fine too!
Do you oversee construction once our design project begins?
Normally, your contractor will have a project manager that oversees your construction. We are available to pop in on job sites at crucial times such as electrical or tile installation or just to check on progress, so if you would like to hire us for this service just let us know and we will work that into our design agreement.
How are we billed? What form of payment do you accept?
Payment for design work is different than real estate services. Our design work is done through a flat-fee determined from your Initial Design Consultation. The flat fee for your design package is due prior to commencing design work. Full payment is required for any custom furniture, window coverings or accessories before ordering. We accept cheque or e-transfers. Real estate services are typically paid by the sellers when the sale of the property is complete.