FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Generally speaking, I like to be paid for design services only, rather than having my designer's fee based on hours worked as well as mark-ups on furniture, etc. When possible, I prefer the client to make the purchases directly from the vendor, so there is no worry about mark-ups - If there is any sort of a discount, the client will receive that directly from the vendor(s). For the most part, depending on the scale and scope of a job, my design fee is based on a rate of $150/hr. for ground-up design work, or $75/hr for shopping/specifying. Because there are so many variables within a job, I will do my best to provide an estimate that takes those factors into consideration, and arrive at a fee that both myself and the client is comfortable with.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Typically, an initial meeting will take place at the site and last anywhere from 1-2 hours, providing plenty of time to discuss design scope as well as design intent - that meeting will be billed at $75/hr. with a cap of $150. Next will be a preliminary design period where over the next week or two, I will pull together a series of images and/or materials as well as sketches, etc. to start defining the design intent. Once those are approved and we seem to be on the same page, I will proceed with producing more specific designs and making material selections to be approved. Once final approval has been achieved, the fabrication process can begin, which can take a month or longer. As far as "off-the-shelf' purchases are concerned, the time-frame can be anywhere from a couple of days to 12-14 weeks lead time, in the event that things have to be ordered, produced, shipped, etc. After that comes installation. If we are dealing with furniture placement only, you should anticipate 1-2 days for that. Anything requiring installation can take anywhere from 1 day to a week or more, depending on complexity and magnitude.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from Art Center College of Design, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design. I've been working primarily in the field of interior design/furniture design since 2002. Prior to that I worked for years doing art department work on music videos, commercials and films.