Things people usually want to know.
Do I need to know what I want first?
1
No. Some clients need a full Blueprint, which begins with a consultation. Others need a focused session or ongoing support.
How do you charge?
2
Consultations are fixed-fee: $175 for one hour, $325 for two, and $350 for Feasibility & Budget. The fee credits toward a Blueprint if you move forward within 30 days. Blueprints start at $2,000 per room, and Build Support can be added at the proposal. Hourly guidance is $100/hour with a $350 starting retainer.
Why is a consultation required?
3
Because I need to see the space before I can write an accurate proposal. A consultation lets me understand what the project actually involves — the layout, the existing conditions, what's working and what isn't. It means the scope I recommend and the fee I quote reflect the real project, not a guess. And since the fee goes toward your package, it’s not an added cost if you move forward. When your project involves renovation, it’s the Feasibility & Budget Consultation, with a contractor, so the proposal reflects what’s buildable.
What does a Blueprint include?
4
A scaled layout with furniture plan, visual concept boards, a full sourcing list with vendor links, a paint and material schedule, an FF&E schedule, and room-by-room implementation notes, ready to hand to a contractor or carry out yourself. One revision round at each stage is included.
Is my project big enough for a designer?
5
Probably. Professional guidance is useful more often than people expect — if you're stuck on a decision, spending money on things that aren't working, or just not sure where to start, a trained eye tends to pay for itself. You don't need a full renovation to work with me. Sometimes you just need the right one decision.
Do you charge a markup?
6
No. I charge for my time and expertise — there's no markup on anything I source. Procurement — the actual purchasing, order management, and follow-up — is billed at $100 per hour. When I handle procurement, I purchase through my trade accounts and pass those discounts directly to you. Even after my fee, you'll typically pay less than retail.
Can I hire you for one thing?
7
Yes — that’s the point. A la carte support means you’re not committing to more than you need. If you have a single decision to make and don’t need a full package, the 1-hour consultation is often the right fit. A written summary follows with concrete direction and a clear path forward.
Do you work virtually?
8
Yes. Most deliverables translate well to a virtual format, and many clients prefer it. For clients in the South Jersey area, in-person options are available when it makes sense for the project. The Feasibility & Budget Consultation is in person, since a contractor walks the space with us.
How long does a project take?
9
The consultation happens in a single session. A Blueprint typically takes a couple months from kickoff to final delivery. Hourly engagements move at your pace. If your project involves contractors or renovation work, that timeline is separate and depends on factors outside the design scope.
What should I prepare?
10
Not much. It helps to have a general sense of what isn’t working and any inspiration you’ve been collecting; a rough Pinterest board is plenty. If you haven’t already filled out the questionnaire on my site, I’ll send it before we meet, so I can make the most of our time together. Measurements are useful, but we can gather those on-site if needed.
Do you stay involved during construction?
11
That depends on what you choose at the proposal. With Build Support, I stay involved through construction, with those hours built into your fee. Without it, I hand off a complete plan and you manage the build. Either way, a project involving construction includes a Construction Handoff Meeting, where I walk you and your contractor through the plan.