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• What is Design Agenda Online?

• I'm an experienced interior designer who has made my services available online.  With online design by Design Agenda I will save you money and time which helps you avoid costly mistakes. I will work with you one-on-one via phone and email, educating you throughout the design process and offering suggestions on how to use your money wisely.  I can give you professional guidance on one area of your home or help you throughout the entire design and construction process.

Why should I use online service versus one-on-one service? 

The online service caters to homeowners who are happy doing most of the leg work themselves.  I will give you guidance, suggestions and homework to do throughout your project, but you will be responsible for making it happen. This technique appeals to clients because you can benefit from my experience and expertise yet keep control of your design costs. If you are a D.I.Y. (do-it-yourselfer), you will be a perfect fit with this service. 

An example task would be if I selected lighting for you, I would send you ideas and you would be responsible for purchasing the lighting and getting it installed by an electrician of your choice.  

However, if you would rather be escorted from store to store with a designer or want a turn key design package that is completed for you, than I can provide that service as well.

How long has Design Agenda been in business?

Designer Bret Baden, the creator of Design Agenda and Design Agenda Online, has been in business since 2007.  Design Agenda Online came about when local homeowners were becoming too busy to meet with me in person and wanted a more efficient way to get design advice.  In 2009, I introduced this concept of online design for local or long distance projects.  I am continuing to grow and have had projects from all over the United States!  

Can I hear from your past clients?

I am proud of my projects and would love for you to hear my client’s success stories of what they were able to achieve while working with Design Agenda. Click here to hear their stories.

How much does the service cost?
The rate for online design service is $45 per hour, which is well below the industry standard and allows me to provide “affordable design.”  If you choose to use the one-on-one service the rate is $65 per hour. Most local designer fees start at $100 and can be as high as $150 per hour. 

I offer a free initial phone or email consultation to learn about your project, look at your photographs online while talking with you and will exchange information.  I will then email you a Design Proposal.  This proposal will explain in detail what I plan to provide you and what you can expect with our unique design approach.  It will also give you an estimate on the amount of hours we plan to use to complete your requests.  At this time, you can accept, adjust or reject the proposal.  If you accept the services, than you can sign online and submit a 50% deposit.  This deposit will be credited on your first invoice.

How do we pay Design Agenda?

Once you upload your photographs, and fill out the questionnaire, I will contact you for a free consultation to review your project.  You will then receive a personalized Design Proposal which will allow you to sign off on the agreement.  At that time you can make a 50% deposit.  This deposit can be made by check.  If you prefer sending a check, please note that I can not start your project until I receive your check.  Billing will depend on the size of your project and can be done either weekly or monthly.

Can I sign up for only one hour of design time?

Yes, some of my clients want to “try” a one-hour consultation since they have never experienced working with a designer before.  This is fine and I do one hour consultations all the time.  Please note if you need help with one whole room or have several items you need me to select, we will not be able to complete it in one hour.  When filling out the questionnaire, be as specific as possible so I can tell you what I can complete during your free phone consultation.

What is included in a typical design project?

The most common tasks are listed below, either all or just a few will be used in the design process. This will be determined based on how much you need done:  (Click on each link to see samples)

• Several choices of each item you need
• A Custom Design Board showing all the selections together
• A Floor Plan showing placement of all items
• A Paint Color Samples
• A Photographic Rendering of your space
• A detailed Shopping List
• A To-Do List giving you instructions on how to carry out our suggestions

How do you know the style I like? 
Once you fill out the lifestyle questionnaire, I will contact you for a free phone/email consultation to review your project, hear about the styles that appeal to you and look over your photographs together.

What photos and measurements do you need from me?

I require pictures of the room(s) you need assistance with.  Please take a picture from every wall so I can better visualize the space.  It is also helpful if you have a floor plan of your house.  If you do not have one, I suggest that you take measurements of the room noting where the windows and doors start and stop. Also please note how far the windows are off the floor.  If you plan to leave furniture items in the rooms, please note their width and depth as well.  The measurements do not need to be exact and can be drawn on a piece a paper and emailed or faxed to us.  See sample of a drawn out floor plan.

How do you go about recommending products (sofa, lamps etc) if we can't walk around in stores together?

Working with you online, I can make your shopping for design products easier and less stressful.  I will do all the selecting for you using our excellent resources and the thousands of national online catalogs.  I will show you the selections which will have their cost per item and the purchasing information.  You can then purchase the products when it is most convenient for you either online or at a local or national store.  This saves you an enormous amount of time and money over having a designer accompany you around town.

How can you guarantee that the paint colors, fabric colors etc will look good in person when they look so different on the computer?

This is a good question.  When selecting paint, I do not select online but instead use my designer paint boxes that have large samples from national companies such as Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and others. I can then send you the samples via snail mail so you can have the actual colors in your hands to play with.  You will also be able to pick up the paint cans at a nearby store.  This is the same for fabric, area rugs, etc.  I can either get you a sample or help you find a local showroom near your home to visit and see the sample before you make your final decision.

What stores does Design Agenda represent?

Design Agenda does not represent any stores or manufacturers, but I can select items for you anywhere.  You can let me know if there any particular stores you want me to check out or use.  You are hiring me for my design expertise and to give you guidance.  We do not make money on your purchases.   We can however select items from any design center which means you will be purchasing the items through Design Agenda. 

What is the lead-time I should expect for my project to be completed? 

It really depends on the size of your project.  Some projects take a week and some projects take a couple of months to complete.  When doing the initial consultation, make sure to tell me when you would like the project to be completed.  If it is a larger project, I will send you weekly updates letting you know the tasks being worked on and when I plan to have it finished for you.