Design isn't scary. Shopping for bathing suits is scary. Snakes are scary. Design is way better than shopping for bathing suits or dealing with snakes.
The Neighbor's House sends a client profile document to allow you to share details of your space. Once that is completed, we schedule an initial consultation to discuss the layout, timeframe, budget, and more. We address the challenges and end goals of your home or workplace. We then create a custom proposal that integrates all aspects specific to your project.
What makes working with The Neighbor's House easy? Sharing your wants and dreams and then allowing us to make them happen. When we source and order and install and put the finishing touches on your space, we are quick and efficient because we have done this a bunch of times.
Each project is unique, and we intend to treat it that way from start to finish. Know that we will discuss your project's details – including an honest conversation about costs and budgets. We offer exclusive pricing to teachers and caregivers because we think those jobs are super hard. We also give a portion of our proceeds to The Delores Project, which supports safe housing for women and children.
Our service options include:
Initial Consult |
Want us to take a look? Our initial hour consult allows us to review the profile form, tour the space, define general scope of work, discuss ideas and create a connection between designer and client.
Investment - $250
Full Design |
Ready for change? Our full design service is meant to be an inclusive experience, allowing us to work in tandem to reinvent and re-imagine your space. From the big picture to the small details, The Neighbor’s House will create a custom plan that includes a full-color inspiration board, sourcing, hiring, purchasing, implementation and installation.
Investment - dependent on scope of work
Staging |
Selling your home? The Neighbor’s House can get your house market-ready by creating a space that is functional and fun, timeless but on trend. Well-staged homes sell quick -
and quick is good.
Investment - Hourly rate of $175/ hour for consultation and $2200 minimum for full-stage
ABOUT US │ THE COMMUNICATION
All design communication happens by In-Person Meetings, Phone or E-mail. Please reserve texts for emergencies and schedule changes only. It is impossible to track design feedback via text and, in order to ensure success, email is the ideal option. We use this not-so-fancy-but-highly-helpful Client Intake Form to better understand you and your project. You can find it here.
Our business hours are M-F, 9am-5pm, and we strive to respond to all calls and emails within one business day. Expect communication from team members and 'IVY/HOUZZ' - our contracted design business software. We respect your time and your family and therefore we do not schedule meetings during evenings and weekends.
Our priority is to source the highest quality item the budget allows. The Neighbor's House is granted pricing only available to the trade. We have cultivated relationships with these vendors out of experience and earned trust.
It takes an enormous amount of time, energy, and thought to create inspiration boards. We love every minute of it - and some of you do, too! But as tempting as it is to scroll through social media or catch up on a favorite home-improvement show or shop through catalogs that arrive almost daily in the mail, we ask that you allow us the space to create the design you hired us to create. Expect design boards to take three weeks or more, depending on the scope of the project. Know that it's worth the wait to have a cohesive, curated look that doesn't mirror page 73 of a retail store shopped by the masses.
The Neighbor's House will keep you informed on order progress as we receive information from factories or vendors. Expected ship dates can often change or not be accurate, especially in these uncertain times.
ABOUT US │ THE PRODUCTS
Things don’t always arrive on time or in good shape. Below is information that proves helpful when dealing with furnishings.
Returns: Custom orders take time to produce and are always non-returnable.
Receipts: Our invoice acts as an official receipt if one is needed for record keeping.
Lead Times: Almost always take longer than expected. Add 4 weeks to factory estimates.
Discontinued: There will be times when a selected item is no longer available. While disappointing, I assure you we will find solutions.
Damages: Goods damaged during shipping will be resolved in the form of discounts, repair, or replacement. The factory usually makes this decision. The Neighbor's House is not responsible for costs associated with damaged pieces and charges apply if our services are needed to manage loss and damage.
Freight Charges: These are added to the price and are based on fuel costs, tariffs, or surcharges at any given time. These could be as much as 20% over the item’s cost.
Back Orders: Items may be out of stock and scheduled for production. Factory expected ship dates are not guaranteed
ABOUT US │ THE FINANCIALS
Stephanie Blackford is billed at a rate of $165+/hour, including any site visits, client meetings, contractor meetings (with or without the client present), team meetings, creating drawings/ layouts, retail shopping, sourcing, and office time. All time, including phone calls, texts, and emails is billed accordingly.
DESIGNER TRAVEL: Travel time is charged when a location is over 30 minutes away. Projects outside the Denver area will require a negotiated travel package at project start.
DESIGN ASSISTANT RATE: Design Assistants are billed separately and accordingly.
INSTALL MANAGEMENT: Unless otherwise notified, The Neighbor's House will be present at every install to ensure proper installation and identify potential problems. This protects you from having to evaluate issues and speeds rate of return for defects. This time is billed accordingly.
GOODS: The Neighbor's House carries many trade accounts receiving 10-50% off published MSRP. We source, place orders, track, and oftentimes receive all goods. *NOTE* All goods ordered through The Neighbor's House are final sale/non-returnable. All goods will be invoiced at time of accepted proposal. Lead times vary based on availability and production. If there is a mistake on an order, we will make it right!
VENDOR/SUBS ERRORS: You are hiring a designer to achieve a unique look. We often ask artisans and manufacturers to stretch past their “typical” work to do something extraordinary for your project. Errors can occur in this process. We will rectify these errors, but this also takes billable time. We will be very fair in our billing.
HOURLY BILLING: Budget is discussed at project start. A retainer of 50% is required to begin work. You will receive monthly paid invoices from this retainer. As funds become exhausted, additional funds will be requested.
INVOICES FOR GOODS: Invoices may be paid online by credit card, bank draft, or by personal check. Credit card processing fees apply.
We welcome questions and happily address concerns. The expectation is for perfection in all documentation, however, as mere mortals, sometimes things get missed. Mistakes do happen and we ask for your patience in rectifying them.
Thank you for your time and trust and input — we look forward to working with you.