StudioSmith

Review: On December 3, 2012, [redacted] and [redacted] (Owners) contracted with [redacted] Smith and StudioSmith LLC (Designer) to provide architectural, interior design and project management services related to our home renovation. The services represented to us in numerous pre and post-contract discussions and emails, and in the final written contract, were represented as comprehensive and in return we agreed to pay a fixed sum of $20,000. We agreed to pay this large sum based on the type, level and quality of services represented verbally and in the contract. The services delivered, however, were incomplete, incorrect, faulty or simply not performed resulting in breach of contract due to non-performance and malpractice. Below we outline certain essentials of the breach of contract including general and specific information. In short, the Designer walked off the job after being paid up-front. To remedy this breach, we asked the Designer to refund an amount of money we believe is equivalent to the services he did not perform. The Designer has refused this request and is now claiming he is not bound by the contract. Also, we recently came to suspect the Designer is not an appropriately licensed business, architect and/or interior designer with DC as he and/or his business should be. His business, StudioSmith LLC is an active LLC (File #[redacted]) with DC but there is no corresponding business license for him or his firm. In May 2013, the Designer told us he did not have an official stamp or license from DC, MD or VA as it was not required for his type of work. He said these cost a lot of money in annual fees and such, a hassle. We believed him when he said he did not need a license. Now we have come to learn he should be licensed to operate and collect money for services in the District.Desired Settlement: We prepared an accounting of work which we believe fairly represents the Designer has or has not completed. We made our best effort to accurately reflect services provided though this is not an exact science. We do not want to underpay the Designer just as we do not want to overpay. We believe we are owed a refund of approximately $5,504 for monies paid in excess of services delivered. We can provide our accounting of work document upon request. To us, this is simply about fair compensation for services rendered, nothing more.

Consumer

Response:

Consumer called and stated complaint resolved.