E-Design FAQ
E-design is an online collaboration between a designer and the client to create a beautiful and functional space. The client doesn’t have to live near the designer to take advantage of e-design because it’s typically carried out through email, video meets and phone. The designer creates the design plan and sources the selections, while the client completes the design vision by purchasing and putting all the elements into place. This allows you to maximize your dollar, putting it towards furniture & decor vs design fees for travel time, project coordination and purchasing coordination.
E-Design is a great option for clients who enjoys a little DIY, like to be hands-on in the design process and love to shop but isn’t sure where to start. E-design is also perfect for the client who wants to build a room over time and make purchases at their leisure when the budget permits.
The Virtual Design Studio is an online platform where I share all of the designs, sources, documents & design communication with you. Once your project has started, I’ll send you a link to sign in to the studio so when it’s time, you can review your designs, make comments and request your revisions. This keeps everything in one convenient location making it easy and enjoyable for you!
The process varies depending on the scope of the project. You will be contacted within two business days after the submission of your design questionnaire. At this time, you will be sent the scope of work agreement to sign and submit along with the 50% deposit and dates for booking your initial online consultation. Typically, consultations are scheduled two weeks after the initial email, and the deposit must be paid 48 hours before the online consultation. Following receipt of these items, you will have access to our Virtual Design Studio, where we can communicate and share designs. During the initial consultation, we will pre-book your presentation meeting. A custom design typically takes 2-3 weeks to come together following our initial online consultation. After you approve the design, you will receive your final master design plan within 1-2 weeks. NOTE: During busy seasons, these timelines may be longer. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss your timeline before booking your service.
I can work within your budget! During the initial contact and consultation phase, we will determine what your budget goals are and if your expectations fit within it, this also allows me to source from stores that suit your budget. Having a budget is very important for the project to run smoothly and for your expectations to be met.
Open concept spaces a defined and billed per room function. For example; If you have an open concept dining room and living room each would be considered a separate space.
I strongly suggest purchasing design packages for all spaces in an open concept design. Even though they are separate spaces the openness can cause them to feel like one space. If this is not feasible, you can contact me for a 15-minute complimentary phone call and we can briefly discuss your dilemmas and determine which room is a priority.
No need to worry! I will provide you with detailed instructions on how to measure your space.
No problem! I will work with your existing piece to include it in the design. This is a great way to personalize the space and helps to create affordable makeovers. I will need images and measurements of the piece. Note: I may suggest a new fabric if the original doesn’t work with the new scheme.
One round of revisions is included with the design package. Upon receiving your design package, I recommend reviewing it thoroughly and making a list of items you would like revised. Keep in mind, that changing details of a project can sometimes result in a complete room re-design. As I’m working on your design, try to resist the urge to shop so that we do not have to repeatedly re-work your space. Any required revisions above the one included will be billed at an hourly rate of $100/ hour.
Absolutely! After project completion, you have one hour of support that is included in the purchase of the package, this can be used via phone, email or video chat. I want you to be happy so I will do my best to help you understand everything I’ve sent you.
I will provide a shopping link for all the sourced items. You can then place your order with the store either online or in-store if there is a location near you. I do not offer ordering, purchasing or delivery coordination services for e-design, it is the client’s responsibility to carry out this process.
If something becomes discontinued, you can always shop for a similar item. There are no guarantees that the item specified today will be available six months from now. If you would prefer my help to source an alternative option, I’m happy to help at a rate of $100/hour.
A source is a document that provides the details for you to purchase an item yourself. You will pay the vendor directly.
I do my best to give you a full cost outlook of each item, but additional costs such as shipping, installation, or unexpected labour, depending on the project scope, should be anticipated as additional expenses.
Not all items will be a DIY, some jobs will need to be outsourced. If the project requires contractors and/or consultants to perform work based on the design concepts, you will need to outsource and enter into a contract directly with each contractor and/or consultant. I do not provide project coordination for e-design.
I do my best to stay within your budget so that shipping costs do not become an issue. Whenever shipping charges will be incurred on an order, you will have the option to either pay the shipping or have that item replaced with another item. Please note: that if you choose to replace the item, it will need to be included in your revision list; if you’ve already made your revisions, I’m happy to source an alternative at a rate of $100/hour.
Once I’ve received the completed questionnaire I will send you a scope of work terms & agreement which needs to be signed & submitted along with a 50% retainer in order to proceed. The scope of work agreement and 50% retainer are due 48 hours before the initial online consultation, if they’re not received on time the consultation may need to be rescheduled. An invoice for another 25% will be sent and is due 48 hours before the online presentation meeting. The final invoice of 25% is due after the revisions have been made. Once the final amount is paid you will receive the PDF master design package with all of the shopping links, drawings & concept boards. If applicable, invoices for hourly time billed are due upon receipt of the invoice. Invoices more than 30 days past due will accrue a 3% late fee per month. I accept e-transfer or cheques made out to Amanda Cromwell. I do not accept cash.
Yes, my e-design services can be accessed by anyone who lives in Canada. If you are local to Waterloo Region and the Surrounding area you have the option for an in-home consultation to start off your e-design service; this allows me to see your space in person and take measurements and pictures for you.
INTERIOR SERVICES FAQ
Design costs vary depending on the project, and the time invested in a project varies depending on the scope of work. Every project starts with an initial consultation which is charged at a flat fee rate of $315 for up to two hours. Any services provided beyond the consultation are charged at my hourly rate of $70/hour. Charging hourly allows flexibility for you to decide how much you want to invest in my services. If you have a project budget that you are comfortable with, it is a good idea to share that with me so that I can discuss feasibility.
After the initial consultation, I will provide you with an estimate for your project. In the estimate, it will outline the scope of work to be completed, this is typically broken down into phases, with the estimated total for each phase stated.
The estimate does not include the cost of furniture, materials, consultant fees or the cost for contractors/trades to complete the tasks.
If you are located in the Waterloo Region, are tackling a large project or require guidance, a full or partial renovation design service is probably the most beneficial for you. Here are some examples of common interior projects I work on:
- Helping you design the kitchen of your dreams.
- Design and selections for a bathroom or ensuite.
- Assisting with material finishes selections for a bathroom, kitchen or interior renovation
Every project varies based on the scope of work but generally, you can expect to follow the process. Once your project begins, there will be lots of communication between us, typically via email. We will have a design review and selection meetings, and if I’m involved with design management we will have site visits throughout the implementation phase.
Yes! The software I use allows me to quickly create 3D rendering. Some people can’t fully visualize, in their heads, what a room has the potential to look like and that’s why I believe that a visual 3D rendering is so beneficial! It allows my clients to fully see and understand my design intent.
I will do my best to work within your budget! During the initial contact and consultation phase, we will determine what your budget goals are and if your expectations fit within it, this also allows me to select materials from stores that suit your budget. Having a budget is very important for the project to run smoothly and for your expectations to be met.
Yes, you can! In the initial consultation, we will discuss what selections you want to be involved with and which showroom you would like to visit. With so many options available, some homeowners find the showrooms to be overwhelming; this being so, I can make selections for you and present everything at once. Some homeowners like to know what’s available, so they prefer to visit the showroom with me to look through the options.
Two of the most common showrooms homeowners typically visit with me are; the flooring and tile showroom and Cabinetry showroom.
For most projects, merchandise will be purchased directly by the client but depending on the type of item and where it is being purchased, the contractor may purchase it.
Please bring these to my attention immediately and we will discuss your concerns and if necessary find a more desirable solution. The decision about what is purchased and installed in your home is ultimately yours.
No problem! Because my services are rendered on an hourly base the scope of work can easily be amended to include the added work. A new scope of work agreement will be created and both parties will be required to sign. Please note: If you decide to add to your scope mid-project there is no guarantee that I will be able to seamlessly continue working on your project as I may have other clients already scheduled. Although I will do my best to fit you in at the next available opening.
Yes, I can certainly recommend contractors to look at your project. I can even be the point person in requesting quotations.
*I’m not a general contractor and do not provide contractor services. If the project requires contractors and/or consultants to perform work based on my concepts, the client will enter into a contract directly with each contractor and/or consultant. I provide no warranty, guarantee, certification, or responsibility for the performance, quality, or timely completion of any work performed or materials installed by Contractors, nor their agents or employees.
- Full payment of the initial consultation fee is due 48 hours before the scheduled consultation.
- A design service retainer of 50% will be required at the start of each phase. These terms can change and will depend on your design scope. The scope of work agreement will outline the payment terms in detail.
- The 50% retainer is based on the estimated total hours provided by myself in the scope of work agreement.
- Design service hours will be applied against the retainer amount. Once the retainer has been fully applied for that phase, my remaining hours will be billed monthly and due upon receipt.
- Payment may be made via an electronic transfer to info@amandacromwelldesigns.com or by cheque made out to Amanda Cromwell. Invoices more than 30 days past due will accrue a 3% late fee per month.