Paid a design deposit but he won't give me the designs I paid for
7/28/2016 at 10:12:45 PM
I decided I want a new kitchen. I paid a kitchen designer a design deposit.
I gave him a budget and his design is very nice, but way over my budget. I didn't sign anything. I have no invoice. I just want the designs. It's not like he can use them elsewhere, they are custom for my home and layout. Because I chose not to go with his overpriced quote he tells me he doesn't have to give me the designs. I find this spiteful. Then what did I pay for? How do I get the designs?
7/28/2016 at 11:11:14 PM
Many kitchen and washroom designers make their money off markups and spec'ing products. It's a way to hide the true cost of having a designer involved in the project.
The design deposit in my experience should at the very least allow you to take the drawings/rendering seeings they didn't actually order, coordinate trades or install anything however even with a signed contract it would be difficult to get the drawings from the designer. Even if so they could provide completely different designs and who's to say which is true.
I do apologize, it's designers like that which hurt the industry. This is why I never hide markups and always provide the true cost upfront to clients and educate them on the design process.
Search the TrustedPros directory and discover the best contractors in your area.
Find your home service pro
