FAUX PAINTING - GETTING STARTED

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Do I get samples? What happens if I don’t like them?

Custom samples will be produced for you prior to project start. The amount of advance time will depend on how far off your project date is, our availability to create the samples, and your requirements. Furthermore, if you are still unsure about finish or colors, we will be dependent on your communicating that information before we can move forward. If you are unsure but have narrowed choices down to a few, please discuss it with us, as we may be able to produce multiple sample sets.

While some clients are pleased with the result of the initial samples, sometimes we need to iterate sample production in order to get the target color, pattern, or any one of several other factors right before you indicate acceptance. Once you have decided that a sample is right, we will use it to be the model from which we execute your project.

We encourage you to “live with” the samples before reacting to them and making decisions. By allowing yourself the opportunity to view the samples in different light (morning, mid-day, evening, natural light, artificial light) and from different vantage points (taped up on one wall versus another), one may “grow on you” or conversely you may reject one that was originally appealing. Do not feel rushed or imposed on to decide. If changes are required, please clearly communicate the specifics that you would like adjusted.

I am not sure I know what I want. Can you make samples for me before I sign a contract and pay a deposit?
Unfortunately no. Sample production takes considerable time and sometimes considerable expense. We cannot create samples unless we feel confident that we will be doing business with you or that you are willing to pay for our time.y. Please be sure to ask how we can help.

How do we kick off the process?

Upon initially receiving your telephone inquiry, our first goal is to properly introduce us (assuming that you are new to us and we to you), get a rough understanding of your needs and gather several bits of information. We will ask:

Your name, address and contact information.
Directions to the subject space (home, place of business, etc.).
How you heard about us (this helps us track our marketing efforts).
A brief description of the subject space and project envisioned.
You’re decorating plans and if you are working with a decorator whom you would like us to contact.
If you are familiar with decorative/faux finishes and if you have anything specific in mind yet.
To set an appointment at your convenience.

We will also likely want to get an idea of the kind of finishes you are interested in so that we know which portfolio to bring to show you. We will not ask what your budget is, as it is not our business. However, if you indicate the general price range you are in, we will be better equipped to know what to bring to show you and what not to. Lastly, we will ask if you have any questions that we can answer prior to meeting in order to satisfy your curiosity as well as any open issues.

Are the samples mine to keep?

Samples need to be returned to Status Faux, as they are part of our permanent archive. The primary reason for this is that we need a record not only of how we created your finish and the formulas involved, but a physical remembrance of the pattern, technique and texture that a photograph cannot provide.

If you need or desire a sample to keep, especially for decorating purposes, please let us know and we will gladly prepare a duplicate.

When will I know what the project will cost?

If possible, we will prepare an estimate during our meeting. This will be based on whether we have gathered sufficient information with which to calculate, whether we need additional information regarding costs of materials, tools (e.g. scaffolding) or other ancillary charges, and whether there is sufficient time to work up the estimate. If additional time is needed, we will prepare the estimate offsite and send it to you without delay via agreed-upon delivery method (fax, email, post office, hand delivery, etc.).

Once you have had the opportunity to receive the estimate, consider its details and ensure that it is complete. If we are in agreement over price and terms the next step is to solidify the agreement by signing a contract and tendering a deposit. The deposit is a nominal amount depending on the number and type of samples required, and is nonrefundable as it goes toward sample production. It is, however, credited toward the project cost. We will also discuss and agree on a project date. Receipt of the deposit locks in that date. If you decide to think about the project and hold off on contract signing and deposit, the tentative project date will be ‘earmarked” for you as an informal reservation, but we will not be able to hold such date until the deposit is tendered. Similarly, if you are interested in a date informally held by another client, that date will be yours if the other client does not commit.

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What happens when we initially meet?

When we meet, we will survey the subject space and interview you about the scope of the project and get a good sense of your vision of the outcome. We may ask questions about how the subject space is used, get an idea of the amount of traffic the space tends to have, times of day it is used, understand its lighting, and learn of any pending work/construction you may have planned for both now and the future. While you will most likely want to and be ready to discuss color, we will probably defer that until after discussing finish types. However, if there is an overall color theme you are looking to develop or maintain, let us know so that we will be able to keep the big picture in mind.

Depending on the kind of project you are interested in, we will display and demonstrate our portfolio. There are several ways of approaching this, but our overall concern is for being concise, catering to your interests and trying not to confuse if there are many items to show you. The problem with presenting a large and comprehensive portfolio is that if you are shown more options than you expect or are able to process in a sitting, it is likely that your ability to focus on and make selections may be challenged. We will do our best to shield you from any difficulty. However, the best way of you helping us in this manner is to be vocal about which finishes you like and which you are not attracted to.

When you review the portfolio, we will ask that you do not overly dwell on the colors of the samples themselves. Color evokes too much emotion, and it is possible that you may accept or reject the notion of a particular sample based on the color we chose to render it in. Remember, all work is custom and any finish can be accomplished in any color. Rather, try to dwell on the samples’ patterns, textures (both optical and physical), sense of depth, movement, activity and interest. Imagine any given sample in colors that would work for you and consider it from that perspective. Feel free to touch and to hold samples up to view from different angles and in different light. Hold (or ask us to hold) samples up against subject walls in order to get an idea of their appearance from afar or in the context of neighboring features or furniture. As the artist, we have great control over all elements of the decorative finish and not just color. Allow yourself to imagine the finish created with different amounts of texture, intensity, darkness/lightness, busyness, etc.

Once you have determined which samples) would be a good solution for you, we will be able to move on with gathering information with which to create an estimate. Note, unless you are definite about what you like, do not feel as if you are making any decisions yet, but merely expressing “what’s in and what’s out”. Your choice of colors will not impact the price, so do not feel pressured to make that decision yet either.

We will measure the subject space and take note of any architectural details, obstacles or other features that can impact project complexity and consequently effort, e.g. ceiling height, wall spaces above stairs, etc. We will also carefully note the condition of the subject surfaces and discuss with you any issues requiring attention or planning, such as wallpaper removal, required repairs, surface blemishes, etc. We will also note and discuss elements that may need to be addressed but perhaps by others, such as moldings, trim, doors, ceilings, etc. Not all surfaces may be included in your decorating plans, and we will want to be clear about everything.

While it may sound like excessive detail, it is important that we understand and be clear about what you want addressed, what you assume will be addressed, and what you want omitted. We call this “scope”. By knowing what is in and what is out of scope, we will be best able to price the project and not have any surprises emerge later regarding what either you or we expected to be done.

Do you charge for estimates/consultations?

While some of our competitors engage in this practice, we do not charge for the time spent in meeting with you and preparing an estimate, with the exception of meetings held sufficiently far away or out of town that travel time is excessive. In such case, any charges are nominal and are credited toward the project cost in any case.

The only charge you can expect prior to project execution is a deposit needed to book the project, secure the date and create custom samples.

Can you leave your portfolio samples with me so that I can review and show them to my spouse?

It would be nice if this was possible, but we cannot. The samples we show you are unique to the portfolio and may be one of a kind. We need to keep the portfolio intact as we are busy visiting with other clients and need to be able to show them our line the same as we have shown you. Although we trust our clients, in the event that a portfolio sample is misplaced, lost or possibly damaged in our absence, we would be without an important part of our collection. Recreating samples is time consuming, difficult and costly.

As a solution to any difficulty this may pose for you, we will gladly schedule a return visit at your convenience at which time we can come again with the materials you would like to show to others.g impacted by product-driven bottlenecks.