A client who values creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability is an ideal fit for our design team at Articulated Design Studio. Such a client appreciates the importance of creating spaces that not only reflect their personal style but also enhance accessibility for all users.

When you begin working with the design team at Articulated you become an automatic part of the team. Our collaborative process thrives when clients are open to innovative ideas and concepts, allowing us to craft vibrant and functional environments that resonate with their unique vision. By aligning with clients who prioritize thoughtful design and community impact, we can together achieve spaces that are not only beautiful but also meaningful and enduring.

Many potential clients often believe that they have clear understanding of what an interior designer does from what they have seen on television or read on websites, and while some of these things may be true but the vast majority are misunderstandings and misrepresentations. While many questions will remain about how we will bill for our design services, our primary responsibility (the health, safety, and welfare of occupants) is often vague and takes time to understand. With so many complexities, techniques, details, products, finishes, and modalities of working in our profession, we cannot simply “jump in” to any project and get started.

The first step we both must start with is trust and we work on this together from the very first moment you start booking a Discovery Call.

Trust means that we are both honest and transparent with each other on decisions about budget, design direction, consultants work, changes, our scope and skills, and style. While some things may seem personal and confidential, our agreement protects us both from disclosing material information. This is a safe space to share and trust is a crucial to delivering a successful project.

All communication at Articulated and its team is mutually transparent by being positive, respectful, and professional. No one benefits from a poor attitude or deceitfulness.

We provide our Clients with a centralized location for all project details inside the Client Studio Portal. All written communications about projects are done by writing Messages from inside the Client Studio Portal to ensure transparency between all parties. Additionally, notes are posted in the Portal for viewing by Clients for all telephone, virtual, and in-person meetings. 

While it may be common with some professionals to email or text message, it is imperative that all communications are within the Portal for all team members to respond. It may appear easier to some Clients email one design team member about their project or a topic, but it is very important not to.

When we communicate with outside consultants and independent contractors, this method typically shifts to emails and we notify Clients about project communications from within the Portal. Contractors and Builders may be provided access to the Portal, with Clients express permissions, but only if there is an equal confidentiality agreement in place for all parties involved. If there is private information being discussed and posted within the Portal that is sensitive and personal, it is best practice to keep access between the Articulated and Clients.

Our design studio operates from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. We are closed Fridays, weekends, and all B.C. Statutory Holidays. Our availability will vary day-to-day. 

Appointments are self-scheduled by Clients from inside the Client Studio Portal and permission is not required. This offers Clients the opportunity to schedule with a time-slot that suits their schedule.

Annual closures are typically from approximately December 23 to January 2 where no design work or meetings will occur. Actual dates are confirmed 90 days prior.

As you may have already learned, Articulated offers both full-service interior design and online design packages. We accept cheque, credit cards, and Interac E-Transfers as payment methods. We do not accept cash, bitcoin, or trade.

Before confirming a purchase, you will receive a Proposal that you must approve in the Client Studio Portal. From there, our invoices are marked “DUE UPON RECEIPT”, meaning that payment is due when the invoice is posted to the Client Studio Portal. This payment term ensures a streamlined financial process that is hassle-free.

Here are the billing methods we use:

• Services are billed in milestones by the stages and steps identified in our Design Process. Payments are made both on the commencement work and before the design presentation. Design fees are subject to federal tax of 5% G.S.T.

• Disbursement surcharges are fees that are applied in addition to items like shipping charges, delivery or courier fees, international telephone calls, large-format plotting, building permit application fees, or applied to purchases from retailers like IKEA, ULINE, WestElm, CB2, etc. Disbursements are considered items that are outside of our immediate control and business model and are available to full-service clients. Our current disbursement surcharge is 20% which covers both administration time and banking the charges we incur that could not otherwise be covered by product purchases or services.

• Products purchased from us are based off the quotes that we received from our trade-only vendors plus a commercially viable mark-up applied to our cost — just like every other business. Will require payment-in-full for stock and special order merchandise and a 70% deposit with 30% due prior to delivery for custom merchandise. All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Merchandise is subject to provincial sales tax of 7% B.C. P.S.T. and federal sales tax of 5% G.S.T.

Please note that unpaid balances or late payments will result in additional costs and delays. It may even mean that project documents cannot be released and products cannot be ordered until all payments have been processed and cleared by our financial institution.

Yes we do. While the majority of our design work remains within Metro Vancovuer and the Fraser Valley, we also regularly work on projects located across British Columbia and in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario using a blended model of virtual meetings, site measuring by Matterport, or by travel and accommodation plans to specific project sites.

We regularly travel to the Interior of B.C., East Kootenays, Calgary, Winnipeg and Southeastern Manitoba and can align project visits with our existing network of accommodation support in these areas. Coordinating travel to these areas in advance with us can mean travel that can be mutually beneficial.

When starting to work with Articulated on an interior design project, there are some documents that are necessary to have available, such as photo identification. While furniture & styling interior design projects will not require the documents we are listing below, residential interior renovation design and commercial tenant improvement projects will require:

Existing Plans and Schematics:

These are floor plans and schematics obtained from your jurisdiction and will reflect what was approved to be constructed or built. Owners can obtain copies of their plans on-file at an additional cost. Please consult your local Building Planning Department office in the jurisdiction where the property is located.

• If you are not the owner, then you can request copies from your leasing agent, building manager, or other property developer.

• If your project is under construction, the schematics that have been prepared by a Registered Architect or building designer become the existing plans.

Site Survey Plan:

Sometimes located on the first or second drawing sheet of your existing plans, a Site Survey illustrates the location of the building on the property.

• If you are an owner and do not have a copy, this document is typically obtained from your areas Land Titles office, if not included with your property purchase documents.

• If you are not the owner, then you can requests copies from your leasing agent, building manager, or other property developer.

When no plans are available:

If your jurisdiction does not have copies of your existing plans and schematics, then they must be created from what is currently existing. This means measurements, locations, and scans are taken and produce a schematic of the existing conditions. This additional step in our process is not automatically included in our design fee proposals and will take additional time and cost more to produce. The added delay and fees will vary greatly by project size making it difficult to approximate without discussing your needs with us first.

While Articulated Design Studio is not affiliated with AIBC or other provincial authorities, we are limited by law to certain types of projects. For residential, we are permitted to completely design the personal space (including the architectural services) of up to five residences on one property, or one residence that is four stories or less. For commercial projects, we are permitted to completely design business and mercantile spaces up to 470 square meters (5,059 square feet).

Corey is an NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and they will work with all consultants necessary, such as structural engineers, mechanical engineers, etc.

We do not design medium- or high-hazard spaces or assembly spaces (public sports or entertainment facilities).

Useful Links:

AIBC: Does your project need an Architect?

CIDQ: NCIDQ Certification

A building permit, in the context of a home renovation or commercial tenant improvement, is a legal document issued by the authority having jurisdiction (typically a municipality or the City of Vancouver.) In addition to strata approvals, building management approvals, or health-board approvals, this document grant permission to proceed with construction and renovation work on a property, unit, or dwelling.

The building permit is primarily concerned with structural design approved by a Professional Engineer, alteration to building systems, and fire and life-safety systems for safe evacuation. Your independent contractor or custom home builder is responsible for applying for the building permit because they are also responsible for the scope of work to be completed — it just make sense this way.

Projects that do not require a building permit are called a “remodel” or “vanity replacement” project where all building systems, walls, windows and doors will remain in their existing locations. They may be replaced, such as doors and windows, but they cannot change their location.

The responsibility of pricing a project and implementing is relies on your independent contractor or custom home builder to produce a scope of construction work, a construction budget, and construction schedule. While we may review these documents and provide you with our recommendations, the agreement will be between you and your build team. This means you are responsible for communicating, paying, and approving change orders issued by them to you. We are always available to assist you navigate these steps provided you are a full-service type of client.

While the design team at Articulated prefers to begin work within contractor sums already established, this is not always the first step that clients take. Therefore, we provide you with a working investment budget that allows us to design and select merchandise for your project. This is a ballpark estimate only and not an exact quote.

At Articulated Design Studio, we know that trust is a cornerstone of our relationship. That is why we carry:

• City of Vancouver Business License

• WorksafeBC Insurance

• Professional Liability Insurance (E&O)

• Commercial General Liability Insurance

• Purchase Protection Insurance

We can provide clients under contract with copies of our insurance and other documents upon request.