Response from TAMERA'S DESIGN LLC
I would like to take the opportunity to respond to the review given by Mr. [Member Name Removed]. Mr. [Member Name Removed] had called me for services on his master bedroom & bathroom after he had performed the demolition himself in the summer of 2014. His wife was concerned and angry regarding the route the project was heading and she told him he must call me to get involved. I have known him and his family for nearly 15 years. We have had a very cordial friendship and working relationship. I have completed substantial amounts of various design work for him and his wife. The scope of work completed throughout the home in the past were draperies, upholstery, color selection, art work (purchased through my lines and a commissioned piece), tile and backsplash selection for kitchen, faux finishing and others. At the initial consult I witnessed the bathroom was entirely gutted and a contractor would be required. I brought contractors to give separate bids on the entire project. They each showed concerns that the client had demoed too far and some other items would need to be addressed prior to the space being rebuilt. Each contractor supplied bids in a timely manner. Client refused all bids and insisted he could do the job himself with his young teenage son. While I have really enjoyed all of the family over the years, I had concerns about the workmanship and the end result. Due to the close proximity of where we lived, prior client - designer relationship, our church association and Doctor / patient relationship, I still continued to try and help during this process. I developed a design concept for the master bedroom and master bath. This included all quartz / granite counter tops, tile, tile accents pieces, fixtures, lighting, mirrors, cabinetry etc. – client and his wife accepted. I continued to bring carpet samples, lighting, fabrics and other design ideas for the master bedroom since this would follow the completion of the bathroom. The client also asked for assistance on the main staircase as well. I had visited the site multiple times (sometimes very quickly due to the client having immediate questions on tasks he was doing himself). I charged the client at a discounted hourly rate and discounted the materials due to his prior business. Client made several calls and visits to my vendor (To the trade only - Designer and Contractors only) to get information. This is not normal practice. The vendor contacted me. Client insisted I used his measurements for custom cabinetry. This was a huge concern for me since the walls were not complete. I had asked to bring a contractor / vendor in to measure – he refused; insisting his measurements were correct. This is not normal practice. Renderings were supplied by the vendor for the client’s approval. Custom cabinet was ordered through my vendor since there was such a long lead time. I ordered all tiles, backsplash and cabinetry hardware. The client continued the building process. During the tiling process I had concerns of the prep work, grout work and tiling itself. I had discussed it with the client. Upon the cabinetry arrival I had received a call from Mr. [Member Name Removed] to come immediately. The cabinet depth was too big. This meant the drawer and drawer rails were too long and the back the cabinet would also be cut to size, new drawers would need to be ordered and tower changed. The vendor and I paid nearly 2000.00 for this solution even though the measurements were the clients. We did all we could to make the client happy. Upon the measure for the quartz, the certified installer told the client he could not be held liable for the quart install if the client did not repair his uneven corners and unlevel areas for the shower thresholds and vanity area. Installer told the client they would need to be repaired prior to the quartz arriving. Client stopped returning calls. I do have pictures of the project and will gladly supply them if needed. At last look; all paint, tile work (walls, tub, shower) was complete, cabinet installed and quartz measured.This does not typically happen on a project when professionals are involved. I understand the project is complete. The design was gorgeous, however the execution and labor on the project was not to standard. In design with the many contractors involved and it being Custom, there at times can be changes to be made. We try to do our very best to have a gorgeous finished product and keep the client happy. Custom means our name is on the design ~ We always want a happy client. On this project it was difficult to keep control when the client did the labor, made changes at his will and insisted on his way of thinking while wanting me involved a s a designer. I find it disheartening that this has occurred and the review was written nearly a year and a half after the process. My family and my husband’s family had been patients of Mr. [Member Name Removed] for several years. Although not always receiving the results we each required (realizing there’s always work to be done), we were still patrons, remained cordial and gave Mr. [Member Name Removed] our business. I would never have written Mr. [Member Name Removed] a bad review regardless of our family's results. Truly a sad ending to all of this...
