Lee Tripi Interiors

Hired to deliver complete design for kitchen renovation. Failed, after over 2 months, to provide accurate drawings or costs. Partial refund requested.We engaged Lee in July to provide design work for a complete gutting and remodeling of our 1960's split-level kitchen. We fully intended to purchase our cabinets, counter and sink from Lee Tripi Design. The contract was $1,750 for 10 hours of design work at $175/hour. Lee assured us this would cover the design and that he would actually spend many more hours (without charge) overseeing the project through to the end.Approximately three weeks after making a site visit, Lee emailed a hand-drawn simple floor plan that was essentially our existing kitchen with the addition of an island (our suggestion) -- and with multiple inaccuracies, among them: the exterior door was placed squarely into an existing window, the range dimensions, and adjoining cabinets, were incorrect, and it included seating on the end of the island, though we had expressly stated not wanting this, as it intruded well into the dining room. Proceeding on the assumption that more accurate and detailed drawings, incorporating our wishes, would be forthcoming, we met with Lee, selected a cabinet finish from his one line of cabinets (though we originally understood he carried at least two) and counters in wood and quartz from his two lines of counters. We solicited bids from contractors, including the one referred by Lee. As bids came in, and Lee casually mentioned cabinet costs in the $20K range, it became apparent that we were looking at at least 60% over our original [redacted] budget. (Lee's referred contractor, which he applied considerable pressure for us to use, was 100% higher than our lowest bid.) We understand that our original budget was unrealistic.At this point, we very clearly (verbally and in a detailed email) expressed the necessity of nailing costs down and requested hard numbers for all of the major items we would be purchasing. Nearly a week later, we received an email that gave somewhat vague and incomplete estimates for a few of those requested. (This included an estimate for our island counter that was 50% higher than we had been originally told.) The sink, toe-kicks, hardware and installation were not noted. And we still did not have an accurate drawing (so I am a bit mystified how an accurate cabinet estimate could have been worked up).Having failed to provide a single accurate drawing or any kind of formal quote for our $25-30K in materials, over the course of more than two months, we could only conclude that Lee was either unwilling or unable to complete the work for which he was hired. As we needed to get started on this project in order to be done before the holidays, we terminated the relationship on 9/11 and subsequently requested an accounting of hours and, given that the sum total of Lee's work had been two in-store meetings, one site visit and one inaccurate simple floor plan, expected some refund.Lee's accounting of his $175-per-hour "design" time included $875 for one unworkable sketch he provided and $700 for "product research." We do not consider pricing our cabinet and counter selection -- that we were buying from him -- as "product research." Nor can we understand what "research" took place, given that we chose from the single cabinet line he carried. Regardless, precise pricing was never provided. After multiple attempts at some sort of reconciliation, Lee offered to refund $500 in two payments but has failed to respond to our email accepting this offer.Desired Settlement1/2 original $1750 fee -- $875.