Choosing the right interior design company for your home or working space is crucial for getting a quality result. The mission of an interior designer is to transform a space into a beautiful and functional place, creating a unique and harmonious environment. This is why the profession is not only extremely popular but is also well-paid. Unfortunately, for this same reason, the renovation industry has become one of the most common spheres for scammers. Many people fall victim to interior design scams. Here are the main red flags that will help you to indicate unprofessional behavior and potential problems:
- Negative Feedback Or No Reviews At All
Today, almost every expert has multiple channels and platforms where they present their brand and where their clients can leave feedback or reviews of their work. However, very often business owners attempt to control the narrative that comes from their clients. They delete negative comments and leave only good ones. That is why to receive real feedback, you should ask for several referrals. Reputable companies will be more than happy to help you to get in touch with their former clients. If you can confirm experience and integrity through the contact with former customers, you can rest assured that the interior design team can deliver exactly what it promises.
LA-based interior designer Meredith Kleinman is one example of how company owners may manipulate their reputation. At first glance, Meredith and her interior design company seem to have a reliable reputation. However, her website and social media do not have any feedback which may mean that most likely, Meredith thoroughly filters out negative reviews. Her former clients have found ways to share the experiences they had with Meredith Kleinman Design.
In particular, in a few recent news articles her clients reported that Meredith Kleinman allegedly uses different types of shady practices in her work. Those practices include requests of excessive payments for the smallest upgrades or changes to the project, threats of legal action or physical violence, the use of poor-quality materials and unscrupulous contractors, and inappropriate allocation of project funds. Therefore, it is important to make research not only based on what is stated on the official channels of interior designer but also by contacting their former clients and checking other available information online.
- Demand For A Large Advance Payment
Watch out for red flags if an interior design company asks for a huge advance (more than 30%) before even starting the work. Very often, if the homeowner refuses to pay the requested amount, the designers take on the task but do not work at the required pace. Moreover, they might sneakily increase the prices for petty things like flooring, wiring and other unstated costs. If homeowners refuse to pay the additional money, the companies may become difficult to deal with.
Such a scam allegedly happened to the clients of Meredith Kleinman. Several individuals who hired Meredith to renovate their homes shared with the media that they had a horrible experience working with her. According to them, Meredith initially offered very low-quality materials and furniture. When they asked her to upgrade to better-quality materials, she demanded an excessive additional payment and threatened to sue them if they refused to pay. One of Meredith`s former clients complained that she once sent thugs to his house to extort money from him even before the project was completed.
- No Detailed Work Schedule Discussed In The Contract
The designer must provide you with a clear work schedule that includes all stages, deadlines and payments. If you don’t get specific information about how the project will be executed and what is your payment plan, it can be a sign of unprofessionalism or a potential scam. Going back to Meredith, her company Meredith Kleinman Design was allegedly accused by several private individuals of delaying the deadlines by many months. aside from some demolition and basic work, the renovation was never completed. As the project approached the deadline, worried clients contacted Meredith Kleinman Design. In response, she stated that further payment would be required for the renovation to continue.
Hiring an interior designer is a serious step that can significantly affect the comfort and aesthetics of your living or working space. This is why it is so important to find someone who can lead the process of renovation professionally and in accordance with the manner that suits your needs, preferences and timeline. Pay attention to these red flags when you do your research, and you will find a professional who can help you realize your dream interior.