Question 1

What Is Your Pricing Model?

Accepted Answer

Our design fees are a hybrid of flat and hourly. Simply put, it’s a flat fee for the portion we have control over and an hourly rate for what we don’t. Design phases 1 + 2 are charged at a custom flat fee that is based on the scope of each project. The Execution phases 3 + 4 are charged hourly, typically at 1.25-1.5 times the flat design fee, depending on the project scope and conditions.

Question 2

How Is My Flat Design Fee Determined?

Accepted Answer

After defining the project scope through an on-site consultation, we determine an estimated number of hours for your project. This will be multiplied by our hourly rate of $175 to produce your custom flat design fee. You'll receive this price in your project proposal.

The execution phases are priced hourly. To help provide a framework for this part of the budget, we recommend a placeholder of 1.5x the number of hours in the design phases. Actual hours will vary greatly depending on the scope of the project, and once the design phase is complete, we will put together a more detailed estimate.

Question 3

How Long Will My Project Take?

Accepted Answer

Exceptional design takes time. Most projects are 9-12 months from start to finish, but the timeline will depend on the scope of your project. For example, kitchens require more time than bedrooms. For now, you can roughly estimate 3 months per room in your project, plus 3 months per project for furniture and trade lead times. When we create your custom proposal, we will include an estimated timeline.

Question 4

Do I Receive Special Pricing on Furnishings?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Access to trade pricing is part of the unique value we bring to our clients. Any discount we receive is shared evenly with you. For example, if we receive 20% off MSRP for a rug, you will receive a 10% discount. Clients typically see at least 7.5% in savings across their full furnishings budget.

Question 5

What Are Some Additional Costs I Should Consider?

Accepted Answer

In addition to design services and products,  other costs to take into account are: sales tax, shipping, receiving and delivery, storage, trades, custom woodwork, architect and engineer fees, and building compliance. We always recommend a generous cushion in your budget.

Question 6

How Can I Reduce Costs?

Accepted Answer

The most effective way to cut costs on your project is to reduce the scope. Consider eliminating low priority spaces and focus on the rooms that have the greatest impact on your life. During the proposal process and throughout your project, we will strategize with you to wisely allocate your resources in alignment with your project goals.

Question 7

What if I Want to Add Scope After We Begin?

Accepted Answer

We understand that projects evolve. Let us know if there are adjustments you would like to make and we'll evaluate the timeline and costs. Keep in mind that scope changes require additional billable hours. If we are too far along in a project, new scope may have to be addressed in a future project.

Question 8

What if Some Rooms Don’t Need Full Service Design?

Accepted Answer

For small projects, consulting, or getting to know Carly a bit more before embarking on a full project, we offer Quick Action Sessions. This abbreviated service is an advice-driven video consultation where clients receive one-on-one help with their own projects.

Frequently Asked Questions