What is your service area?
I mainly work on Seattle’s Eastside, but I will travel outside of my service area for the right project.
Are you able to work with contractors?
With my Full Service Custom Project clients, I work only with my own team of trusted and proven contractors. With all other types of projects, I will work with your contractor. Regardless of whose team brings my design to life, regular design/production meetings are mandatory to my process.
How long do projects take?
This can vary greatly, from 2 hours (design consult only) to several years, depending entirely on the scope of the project and the type of materials/products we source for this project.
Are you willing to do just one room?
Absolutely! Good design is good design, and doing one space at a time is actually what a lot of my clients do.
How does purchasing work?
All purchasing of furnishings, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, custom built-ins, window treatments, bedding, art, lighting and accessories goes through Tatiana Almieri Designs LLC on all Full Service Custom Projects. This approach gets you custom results not available to general public.
On all other projects, you may purchase on your own and you are responsible for coordinating and troubleshooting any issues arising out of these purchases.
How do you charge for your work?
Each project is unique and compensation structure may differ quite a bit, based on what you need done, but there is a common approach, depending on which part of the project we are in. For example, I bill a flat rate for Design Development. I determine the cost of the flat-fee portion of our contract by calculating how long it takes me to complete each area/task of the design scope. Each of these numbers represents an average amount of hours it took me in the past to complete a similar task/scope. Having done a lot of projects since 2007, I am pretty good at gauging :) Once we have had a final design presentation, our project moves into Project Procurement and Oversight/Project Management. This part is always billed on the hourly basis, in 15-min. increments. My hourly rate is $235.00. (I can hear you asking whether this is a high or a low rate. I can tell you that in the Seattle area this is at the moment an average hourly rate, and you can call around to see for yourself) You will receive weekly statements. Detailed reports on any given week will be available within 48 hours of your request.
What are the fees involved in a full-service custom project?
Design Development - flat fee
Procurement and Oversight/Project Management - billed hourly.
What happens if we go over the estimated time on the flat-fee portion of our contract?
There are 2 different scenarios here. Scenario #1: I underestimated the number of hours for the defined scope. In this case, I "eat" any additional time. Scenario #2: The flat-fee portion of your contract will have a stipulation that I will provide up to 3 options for every item within the scope, but you decided you wanted more options, or you changed your mind about something, and I now need more time to accommodate you. In this scenario, you will be charged at my normal hourly rate, in 15-minute increments.
Who is and is not involved in decision making?
To be blunt, people who sign their name on the Design Agreement call all the shots! Your neighbor who "just completed her own remodel", your sister-in-law, who is "very good with color", your 12-year-old son, who "enjoys the process" is also not one of the decision-makers, unless we are working on his room :) Likewise, it is absolutely my policy to always have ALL of the decision makers at every decision-making appointment. This rule is vital to a smooth project execution, and, frankly, makes the whole process go smoothly. One half of the couple might think they can speak for their spouse/partner, but, in reality, there is always something that the other half might change their mind about later in the process, when it is too late to make alterations. In the world where most everything we purchase is custom, changing one's mind is not an option.
How does installation work?
When our full service custom project is coming to completion, we will schedule an Installation Day. This is the Day when all of your furnishings will be delivered and installed, custom art will be hung and final touches will be made. If you have purchased a Dazzle Service, your space will also be fully accessorized to aid in the full "wow" effect.