Expert Kitchen Designs

First, before my response to XXXX's complaint, attached is the agreement they signed and the plans I sent to her on April 7th, plus the letter I sent certified May 8th.Regarding her statements:1) "when it came time to deliver the design, YYYY was not able to do so as she did not use the measurements of the kitchen"In fact, the initial perspectives and plans that I sent did include all measurements of the kitchenMy CAD designs can testify to this fact.2)I did not say "I had no additional ideas" to make the island work On April 14th I said, after asking if they would consider changing their appliance package to help meet NKBA guideline and get the island that they wanted:"Hi XXXX,Sorry your schedule is so hectic, I completely understand.I am copying UUU and ZZZ in on this as they check in with me as well-- asking “where are we?” ?The bottom line is that there is only so much we can do to orient the kitchen with your present appliance package.Of course, we want the ideal for the layout (i.eto include full degree egress around the island), but we simply do not have the room—unless we go back to an L-shape kitchen where the sink is under the window, the range pushed into the corner, and have a very small island If effect, this would look terrible at best and function horribly at worst.I am happy to talk to VVVV and discuss this my opinion is that the first design with the shallow wall cabinets under the window offers the best option for full functionality and a great workspace with everything you have specified I regret I have no other “arrows in my quiver” unless something *gives way [redacted] in the existing parameters prescribed for the design.VVVV, let me know what time we can talk , at what number I should call you~Thanks,YYYY, AKBDKitchen Designer4) I did not "end the design process" per above but asked to have a conversation directly about the design we wanted to achieveIf it were not to be in accordance with NKBA guidelines, I was happy to oblige, but I never heard from them what they wantedThe last email I received was this one on April 14th:"YYYY,We have some appliances in mind but we are open to the sink optionsA counter depth fridge will not work for our needs though.We would like to know your flowchart and see what other options you may come up with.One idea we had but would like your opinion is having a peninsula that would come off of where the stoves are now.Best,VVVV"To which I responded :"Hi VVVV and XXXX,We need to discuss please, if at all possible.The discussion is "the flowchart".Forgive me, I am not understanding the peninsula idea below.Do you have time this evening?"I did not receive any emails or contact from them after this email except for one from VVVV saying he would chat with me when he got home I could not contact him (never provided me his phone # that I asked for) so I was awaiting a call that never came.5) Subsequently, the builder copied me in on this email:Good morning XXXX,I spoke to YYYY last week after you called me and had shared your dislikes for her and her designsI understand from talking to her that she had left e-mail messages for you and VVVV to contact her so that you all could get together to resolve the kitchen designI understand at times when different parties cannot find a common ground I'm sorry in this case it hasn't worked out for youYYYY is sending you a return check in the amount of $ plus you have her designs to give to another kitchen designer which it sounded like you already by have letting me know that you are having design work done by the Kitchen Guild located in BethesdaI'm not sure how YYYY's contract reads since we don't get involved in the contract between a home owner and the kitchen designersI think its common practice for a designer to charge fee's based on projects, but then fees would be applied to the cost of the project should you move forwardXXXX you also let me know that you have been talking to other contractors and one of them is at least $ lower with their preliminary pricing than Miller & McIntyreWith this being said I know that cost is a big factor with everyone and would encourage you to pursue this firm to do the kitchen remodel for you and We here at Miller & McIntyre wish you the best of luck in the future with your project.--Thank you, [redacted] Custom Builders Inc.POBox 3481Frederick, MD217056) I had sent XXXX two letters in addition to my emails and she would not respond to them I included checks as a partial refund , as the time I incurred to render the design, incorporate the appliances took up my time which I expect to be paid I did not end the design process with them, they did.7) [redacted] do not think me at all combative (direct yes, but not combative) They can confirm this if you call them directly.If you need additional documentation (my email correspondence/other drawings), I can certainly forward that as needed.I would like to state, as a professional designer, similar to an architect , interior designer, or financial advisor, I am paid for my time Which I gave to XXXX and her husband fully I never stated I would not give more And if there was a misunderstanding regarding my email, a simple phone in timely manner would have resolved it.Sincerely yours,www.expertkitchendesigns.comc-703-801-6402o-540-937-

First, before my response to XXXX's complaint, attached is the agreement they signed and the plans I sent to her on April 7th, plus the letter I sent certified May 8th.Regarding her statements:1) "when it came time to deliver the design, YYYY was not able to do so as she did not use the...

measurements of the kitchen"In fact, the initial perspectives and plans that I sent did include all measurements of the kitchen. My CAD designs can testify to this fact.2)I did not say "I had no additional ideas" to make the island work.  On April 14th I said, after asking if they would consider changing their appliance package to help meet NKBA guideline and get the island that they wanted:"Hi XXXX,Sorry your schedule is so hectic, I completely understand.I am copying UUU and ZZZ in on this as they check in with me as well-- asking “where are we?” ?The bottom line is that there is only so much we can do to orient the kitchen with your present appliance package.Of course, we want the ideal for the layout (i.e. to include full 360 degree egress around the island), but we simply do not have the room—unless we go back to an L-shape kitchen where the sink is under the window, the range pushed into the corner, and have a very small island.  If effect, this would look terrible at best and function horribly at worst.I am happy to talk to VVVV and discuss this…my opinion is that the first design with the shallow wall cabinets under the window offers the best option for full functionality and a great workspace with everything you have specified.  I regret I have no other “arrows in my quiver” … unless something *gives way* in the existing parameters prescribed for the design.VVVV, let me know what time we can talk , at what number I should call you~Thanks,YYYY, AKBDKitchen Designer4) I did not "end the design process" per above but asked to have a conversation directly about the design we wanted to achieve. If it were not to be in accordance with NKBA guidelines, I was happy to oblige, but I never heard from them what they wanted. The last email I received was this one on April 14th:"YYYY,We have some appliances in mind but we are open to the sink options. A counter depth fridge will not work for our needs though.We would like to know your flowchart and see what other options you may come up with.One idea we had but would like your opinion is having a peninsula that would come off of where the stoves are now.Best,VVVV"To which I responded :"Hi VVVV and XXXX,We need to discuss  please, if at all possible.The discussion is "the flowchart".Forgive me, I am not understanding the peninsula idea below.Do you have time this evening?"I did not receive any emails or contact from them after this email except for one from VVVV saying he would chat with me when he got home.   I could not contact him (never provided me his phone # that I asked for) so I was awaiting a call that never came.5) Subsequently,  the builder copied me in on this email:Good morning XXXX,I spoke to YYYY last week after you called me and had shared your dislikes for her and her designs. I understand from talking to her that she had left e-mail messages for you and VVVV to contact her so that you all could get together to resolve the kitchen design. I understand at times when different parties cannot find a common ground I'm sorry in this case it hasn't worked out for you. YYYY is sending you a return check in the amount of $ 500.00 plus you have her designs to give to another kitchen designer which it sounded like you already by have letting me know that you are having design work done by the Kitchen Guild located in Bethesda. I'm not sure how YYYY's contract reads since we don't get involved in the contract between a home owner and the kitchen designers. I think its common practice for a designer to charge fee's based on projects, but then fees would be applied to the cost of the project should you move forward. XXXX you also let me know that you have been talking to other contractors and one of them is at least       $ 10.000.00 lower with their preliminary pricing than Miller & McIntyre. With this being  said I know that cost is a big factor with everyone and would encourage you to pursue this firm to do the kitchen remodel for you and We here at Miller & McIntyre wish you the best of luck in the future with your project.--Thank you,[redacted] [redacted]  Custom Builders Inc.PO. Box 3481Frederick, MD. 217056) I had sent XXXX two letters in addition to my emails and she would not respond to them.  I included checks as a partial refund , as the time I incurred to render the design, incorporate the appliances took up my time which I expect to be paid.  I did not end the design process with them, they did.7) [redacted] [redacted] do not think me at all combative (direct yes, but not combative).  They can confirm this if you call them directly.If you need additional documentation (my email correspondence/other drawings), I can certainly forward that as needed.I would like to state, as  a professional designer, similar to an architect , interior designer, or financial advisor, I am paid for my time.  Which I gave to XXXX and her husband fully.  I never stated  I would not give more.  And if there was a misunderstanding regarding my email, a simple phone in timely manner would have resolved it.Sincerely yours,www.expertkitchendesigns.comc-703-801-6402o-540-937-3014

Review: I am writing to warn the Revdex.com of Sandra B[redacted] / Expert Kitchen Designs. Sandra came into our home and sold us a design plan to ensure we were sign the contract to use her services; but when it came time to deliver the design, Sandra wasn't able to do so as she did not use the measurements of the kitchen. Sandra sold us a plan that wasn't possible and we were out $1500.00. She then proposed another design that was not to our liking, and when we asked for her to continue working on this she said "she had no additional ideas." She ended the design process there and we were left with no kitchen design and when we asked for her to refund our money to make up for the contract she didn't fulfill, she only gave us half of the money. We have asked repeatedly for the remainder of it since we had to hire another designer.In addition, we felt pressured by [redacted] (VA/MD/DC) to use her. When we expressed we were not happy with Sandra to the builder, even they agreed that her personality was combative and they went back to her to ask for her to refund our money to us and she didn't.Desired Settlement: Full refund of $1500 paid to Sandra B[redacted].

Business

Response:

First, before my response to XXXX's complaint, attached is the agreement they signed and the plans I sent to her on April 7th, plus the letter I sent certified May 8th.Regarding her statements:1) "when it came time to deliver the design, YYYY was not able to do so as she did not use the measurements of the kitchen"In fact, the initial perspectives and plans that I sent did include all measurements of the kitchen. My CAD designs can testify to this fact.2)I did not say "I had no additional ideas" to make the island work. On April 14th I said, after asking if they would consider changing their appliance package to help meet NKBA guideline and get the island that they wanted:"Hi XXXX,Sorry your schedule is so hectic, I completely understand.I am copying UUU and ZZZ in on this as they check in with me as well-- asking “where are we?” ?The bottom line is that there is only so much we can do to orient the kitchen with your present appliance package.Of course, we want the ideal for the layout (i.e. to include full 360 degree egress around the island), but we simply do not have the room—unless we go back to an L-shape kitchen where the sink is under the window, the range pushed into the corner, and have a very small island. If effect, this would look terrible at best and function horribly at worst.I am happy to talk to VVVV and discuss this…my opinion is that the first design with the shallow wall cabinets under the window offers the best option for full functionality and a great workspace with everything you have specified. I regret I have no other “arrows in my quiver” … unless something *gives way* in the existing parameters prescribed for the design.VVVV, let me know what time we can talk , at what number I should call you~Thanks,YYYY, AKBDKitchen Designer4) I did not "end the design process" per above but asked to have a conversation directly about the design we wanted to achieve. If it were not to be in accordance with NKBA guidelines, I was happy to oblige, but I never heard from them what they wanted. The last email I received was this one on April 14th:"YYYY,We have some appliances in mind but we are open to the sink options. A counter depth fridge will not work for our needs though.We would like to know your flowchart and see what other options you may come up with.One idea we had but would like your opinion is having a peninsula that would come off of where the stoves are now.Best,VVVV"To which I responded :"Hi VVVV and XXXX,We need to discuss please, if at all possible.The discussion is "the flowchart".Forgive me, I am not understanding the peninsula idea below.Do you have time this evening?"I did not receive any emails or contact from them after this email except for one from VVVV saying he would chat with me when he got home. I could not contact him (never provided me his phone # that I asked for) so I was awaiting a call that never came.5) Subsequently, the builder copied me in on this email:Good morning XXXX,I spoke to YYYY last week after you called me and had shared your dislikes for her and her designs. I understand from talking to her that she had left e-mail messages for you and VVVV to contact her so that you all could get together to resolve the kitchen design. I understand at times when different parties cannot find a common ground I'm sorry in this case it hasn't worked out for you. YYYY is sending you a return check in the amount of $ 500.00 plus you have her designs to give to another kitchen designer which it sounded like you already by have letting me know that you are having design work done by the Kitchen Guild located in Bethesda. I'm not sure how YYYY's contract reads since we don't get involved in the contract between a home owner and the kitchen designers. I think its common practice for a designer to charge fee's based on projects, but then fees would be applied to the cost of the project should you move forward. XXXX you also let me know that you have been talking to other contractors and one of them is at least $ 10.000.00 lower with their preliminary pricing than Miller & McIntyre. With this being said I know that cost is a big factor with everyone and would encourage you to pursue this firm to do the kitchen remodel for you and We here at Miller & McIntyre wish you the best of luck in the future with your project.--Thank you,[redacted] Custom Builders Inc.PO. Box 3481Frederick, MD. 217056) I had sent XXXX two letters in addition to my emails and she would not respond to them. I included checks as a partial refund , as the time I incurred to render the design, incorporate the appliances took up my time which I expect to be paid. I did not end the design process with them, they did.7) [redacted] do not think me at all combative (direct yes, but not combative). They can confirm this if you call them directly.If you need additional documentation (my email correspondence/other drawings), I can certainly forward that as needed.I would like to state, as a professional designer, similar to an architect , interior designer, or financial advisor, I am paid for my time. Which I gave to XXXX and her husband fully. I never stated I would not give more. And if there was a misunderstanding regarding my email, a simple phone in timely manner would have resolved it.Sincerely yours,www.expertkitchendesigns.comc-703-801-6402o-540-937-3014