12/17/2025
This project took longer and cost more than it needed to—and here’s why⬇️
A little backstory for context:
Our client is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people. She had always loved our work, but because we design immersive commercial spaces, she assumed working with us would be out of her budget.
So instead of booking an initial consult (which is actually quite modest), she hired a very affordable designer with no commercial experience to get things started.
You might be wondering—if the designer was cheaper, how did this end up costing more?
Here’s the truth: inexperience is often the most expensive line item.
Because the original designer wasn’t familiar with commercial projects or detailed schematics, products and materials were selected that simply didn’t work for a commercial space. Decisions were made without understanding requirements, timelines, or long-term impact.
Thankfully, our client sensed something wasn’t right and booked an in-person, design-only consult with me for a second opinion. Once I saw the space and reviewed what had already been purchased, it became clear just how misadvised she had been.
At that point, my job wasn’t just to redesign the space—it was to salvage it. I worked carefully to use as much of what had already been purchased as possible, adjusting, reworking, and concealing what I could. We only replaced the pieces that were completely wrong and couldn’t be made to work.
That approach saved her from having to start over entirely—but it still cost more than if the project had been done correctly from the beginning.
Here’s the part people don’t expect:
Our rates were only marginally higher than the initial designer’s. And when you factor in wasted time, incorrect materials, and course-correcting mid-project, she would have saved thousands by hiring us first.
We help founders and entrepreneurs build spaces that move their businesses forward—if you’re planning a commercial space for 2026, book a consult now so we can help you do it right the first time.
