Thank you for
inquiring about Pineapple House. Interior
design is a very personal process and we
appreciate this opportunity to explore your unique
situation and interpret your needs.
Pineapple House is a full service organization.
Our interior design, construction and architectural teams offer
complete home interiors. We can handle any
aspect of the process from design and
specification to the total construction of a new
home, renovations or partial build-outs.
Our Interior design method has stages of
development:
Phase One involves the Consultation and
Presentation.
Phase Two begins the Ordering
and Production procedure and culminates in the
Installation.
The first step in Phase One is
the Consultation, which takes place in the
client's home or office and consists of a question and
answer session. Primarily you, the client, tell us
what you want done. We inquire about such things
as color, fabric, furniture styles and other
preferences. We listen carefully and take notes.
There will be things we discuss that may seem irrelevant
to you. Ultimately, we use this information to
give you a complete design scheme.
During the Consultation, we
take photographs of your surroundings. We ask to
see the major areas of your home or office even if you
are not requesting our assistance in those areas.
Our intent is to create continuity in all areas of your
environment -- we want it to "flow". Even if we do
not work in every room, we will nonetheless take all
parts into consideration. You will be happier with
the final design scheme if everything is studied as a
whole.
Following our interview, the
Pineapple House designer will spend time alone walking
through your space, making more notes. We are
interested in your personal items and strive to
incorporate your possessions (your history) into our
plan. A talented designer shows the client how to
use his or her things in new and unusual ways.
The initial meeting usually
takes two hours. No design advice is given to the
client at this time. In fact, this is only the
beginning of the design process.
In the next step of Phase One,
the Presentation, the designer begins the
creative process of developing a scheme individually
suited to your needs. Colors and fabrics are
selected, furniture styles determined and floor plans
are developed. After a few weeks you are invited
to the Pineapple House Design Center on Ottley
Drive in Atlanta for your Presentation. Your
comprehensive design scheme is displayed on one or more
of our conference tables. Using the photographs
that were taken during the Consultation, we literally
"walk through" your home or business. You see
fabrics, finishes, colors, samples, furniture, window
treatments -- anything necessary for us to give you a
clear mental picture of your transformed environment.
At this time, prices are presented for each specific
item (sofa, chair, window treatment, wallpaper, etc.)
that we recommend and minimum purchase amounts are
discussed.
Naturally much dialogue is
exchanged during this Presentation and your questions
are welcome. If you do not like something, perhaps
a fabric or furniture style, we will adjust the plan to
suit your preferences. Our facility houses one of
the largest independent resource libraries in the
nation, so modifications to your proposal can be made
in-house and typically do not require additional
appointments or down time. Generally we are fairly
accurate in our choices, but we will make changes and
provide options until you are delighted with your plan.
Your satisfaction is our priority!
Again, at the Presentation you
receive invoices detailing costs. Our prices are
freely given and we invite their comparison. We've
been in business since 1981 and we know that we are
competitive and fair.
With the Presentation of the
detailed design scheme, Phase One is complete. You
are encouraged to analyze our comments, ideas, options,
prices and suggestions. When you are ready to move into
Phase Two, you give us permission to begin the
Ordering and Production process.
Pineapple House has various
teams in place to control and track projects and this is
very important in Phase Two. In addition to your
designer, you have a project manager and both of them
have support staff within our infrastructure. When
a client, contractor or vendor calls, they speak to a
person (voicemail only on request) so issues can be
quickly addressed. We utilize state-of-the-art
technology to accelerate projects and be more accessible
and responsive to our clients, industry and staff.
Maintaining quality and
reasonable timeframes are hallmarks of our company.
It is characteristic for Pineapple House to meet
deadlines. Unlike many designers, we control most
of our resources. We have superior talent
in-house: we staff and operate our own drapery
workroom, artistic studios, upholstery department,
construction unit and
architectural division. We consider these
components essential in getting the job done both
magnificently and thoroughly, not just a sofa here and a
chair there.
This brings us to the final
step -- the
Installation. We ask that you give us the
entire day alone in your space to be creative.
With the exception of paint, carpet and wallpaper,
everything is done in the same day. We hang
draperies, place furniture and accessorize the
environment. For example, let’s say that in the
great room you ordered a sofa, two chairs and draperies.
We would bring those items in and place your other
furniture, pictures and accessories. Next, we
would bring in (for your approval) anything necessary to
complete the room and make it more beautiful. This
could be a lamp, an end table, a coffee table, an accent
chair, or whatever is needed. We arrange
everything and leave you with a tasteful, finished
environment. You then have two days to look over
the "extra" items to decide what, if anything, to
return. Of course, our goal is to make the room(s)
so amazingly wonderful that you do not want to change
anything! However, you are under no obligation to
keep any “extras.” We do not pressure clients . .
. we do give them great design work! Consequently,
they often recommend us to their friends and family.
Typically, when their situation changes, they use our
services again. We take pride in the many
long-term relationships that are represented in our
client base.
You are invited to tour the
Pineapple House Design Center in midtown Atlanta any
weekday during office hours.
Feel free to contact Cynthia Pararo at 404-897-5551 if
you have any comments or questions regarding our
services.
Thank you for
considering Pineapple House!
Pineapple House
Fee Structure
The
following information details the specifics of the fee
structure at Pineapple House.
Please CLICK on the link that is
appropriate for your situation.
$2,500 fee for
Consultation, Plan Development, Presentation, and
Refinement.
Minimum Purchase and
Deposit
$50,000 for one area
or floor of a home or $100,000 for an
entire home. For either situation, a deposit of
$25,000 is due on the day of the
Presentation.
PHASE TWO
Ordering, Production and
Installation
Approved Contract
50% Balance
When the client approves the design
plan and initiates ordering, 50% of the contract
price is due. The $25,000 from Phase One is
applied to the approved design plan cost.
The remaining approved contract balance is due
prior to delivery- no later than one week before
Installation day.
A non-refundable fee of
$2,500 covers the initial meeting of the design team
with the client (the Consultation) and the complete
development of the interior design scheme including
interior finishes (floors, walls, ceilings, etc.),
fabric and furniture selections, window treatment
designs, wallpaper selections and plans for the
integration of the client’s existing furniture into the
new design scheme. The various design components
are proposed during the client’s Presentation at
Pineapple House.
On the same day as the
Presentation, the client enters a 60-day Refinement
Period. During this time, if the client requests
adjustments to the plan, the client and the designer
“work through” any changes to the plan that was
proposed. There is no charge for adjustments to the
design plan during this 60-day period.
The $2,500 fee is
independent from the project’s minimum purchase amount.
It is not applied to that total. However, in the
event that Pineapple House does not meet the client’s
expectations, the client is not obligated to work with
Pineapple House. They may choose to withdraw from the
design process, with no obligation
to pay a minimum purchase amount.
The minimum purchase
amount is relative to the scope of the project, but is
not less than $50,000 for one area or floor of a home,
or $100.000 for an entire home.
On the day of the Presentation, the client pays
Pineapple House a deposit for $25,000. This is
applied toward future purchases and services.
The client has 14 calendar days after the
Presentation to terminate the design process and receive
a full refund of their retainer. After this
one week period, the retainer is applied to the purchase
of furnishings for the home as outlined in the approved
Presentation invoices, and to any changes authorized by
the client that were made
during the Refinement Period.
PHASE TWO -- Ordering,
Production and Installation
When the client accepts
their design proposal, Pineapple House begins Phase Two.
Items on the approved invoices are considered “Contract”
items. With this authorization, the design staff
begins ordering and producing the “Contract.” Credit is
given for the $25,000 deposit that was collected in Phase One.
If additional funds are needed to meet the 50% down
payment requirement on the client's approved “Contact” invoices,
they are submitted at this time.
Prior to delivery / Installation, the remaining balance from the approved “Contract” invoices and the balance on any
authorized
changes are due. The designer notifies the
client of this amount in advance, so these amounts can
be reconciled. The client submits the payment to
their designer at least one week before their
Installation day.
Additional items that may
be needed to “complete” the look of the finished areas
are placed in the home during the installation and a
detailed list of these items is provided to the client
on the day of the Install. These invoices
are called “Install” invoices and are often equal to
half the value of the client’s “Contract” invoices.
However, this amount is relative to many factors,
including the amount of appropriate furniture and
accessories already in the client’s possession.
The client is not obligated to purchase any of the
“Install” items. The client has two calendar days
to review these items and notify the designer of those
items they wish to purchase. Payment of these
items is due within seven calendar days.
Hourly Fees:
Hourly fees are generally
not incurred by clients that are decorating their
home. However, hourly fees are charged for time
investments resulting from the following types of
activities:
1. Architectural / design
concept drawings requested by the client.
2. Client-initiated out-of-office
appointments. Note that hourly rates do NOT apply to the
initial consultation or to associated trips orchestrated
by Pineapple House for the Production and Installation
of the project.
3. Client changes or
alterations following their 60-day Refinement
period. The Refinement period begins the day of the
client's presentation.
Staff Hourly Fee Schedule
Principals:
$125.00/hour. Stephen Pararo
Designers: $85/hour.
Project Manager:
$55/hour. Construction Manager: $110.00/hour
Architectural/design concept drawings:
$95/hour
Warehouse Staff:
$65/hour
Pineapple House assists clients with homes across The
United States and Canada, and no additional costs are
associated with jobs outside the Atlanta area for our
staff. The additional expenses associated with
staff travel and the transportation of furniture for
homes located more than 100 miles outside of Atlanta are
billed to the client on a cost/reimbursal basis.
Every effort is made to keep these costs to a minimum.
There
are four categories of expense:
Transportation of Pineapple House staff (airline
flights, rental vehicle, etc.)
Lodging
Food
Transportation costs for delivering the furnishings
Please note that
the installation by Pineapple House
staff of the client’s contract purchases are included in
the price of the contract (whether in Atlanta or
outside,) and there is NO CHARGE for the hourly rates of
the designer, project manager or warehouse staff.
Only the additional expenses associated with out of town
travel (as listed above) are billable.
Construction Management
For clients
who are decorating and also have building needs,
Pineapple House has decades of experience in every
aspect of the construction industry. We offer clients
partial or complete Construction Management services.
Our team is available for any degree of involvement,
from the total construction of a new home to the control
and orchestration of projects like new additions or
renovations.
You are invited to tour the Pineapple
House Design Center in midtown Atlanta any weekday
during office hours. Please
feel free to call Cynthia Pararo at
404-897-5551 if you have any comments or questions
regarding our services. Thank you for considering
Pineapple House.
$2,500 design fee. The design fee
applies to the initial Consultation, interior
design plan development, interior finish
selection, Presentation and the plan Refinement
period. It is separate from and not applied to the
minimum purchase requirement.
Retainer
$5,000 Retainer. The retainer is
applied toward hourly fees incurred, if any.
Any unused portion of this fee is credited to the
minimum purchase balance.
Minimum
Purchase Requirement
Construction: The minimum purchase amount is
$150,000. A deposit of $25,000 against the minimum
purchase amount is due at the Presentation.
Renovation: The minimum purchase amount for a
renovation is $50,000 for a minor project and up
to $150,000 for a major renovation. This
requirement is relative to the scope of the work
and is determined at the onset of the project. A
deposit of $25,000 is due at the Presentation.
PHASE TWO
Ordering, Production and
Installation
Approved
Contract
Deposit
When the client approves the design plan and
initiates ordering, 50% of the contract price is
due. The $25,000 deposit that was collected on the
day of the Presentation is credited to the
contract balance. At the conclusion of the project
(the Installation,) any unused portion of the
$5,000 retainer collected in Phase One is also
credited to the contract balance. The approved
contract balance is due prior to delivery - no later
than one week before Installation day.
PHASE ONE -- Consultation/Plan
Development/Presentation/Refinement
The initial charge of $7,500 is allocated to two
different categories - a $2,500 non-refundable design
fee, and a $5,000 retainer toward hourly fees for
construction assistance requested by the client.
Design Fee: The $2,500 fee covers the initial
meeting of the design team with the client (the
Consultation) and the general development of the
interior design scheme and interior surface finishes. It
includes fabric and furniture selections, window
treatment designs, wallpaper selections and plans for
the integration of the client’s existing furniture into
the new design scheme. It encompasses the selection of
colors and finishes for floors, walls, ceilings,
bathroom sinks and tubs, kitchen appliances, cabinet and
door hardware, cabinets and countertops. These various
components are proposed during the client’s Presentation
at Pineapple House.
Retainer: The $5,000 retainer is for the time
required by the designers and project managers for the
selection of specific plumbing and light fixtures,
hardware, stone, tile, shingles, etc. for the client
and/or builder. These items are chosen after the
Presentation, once the client has approved the overall
design scheme. The client specifies and requests the
level of involvement needed from the designer for this
activity. Hourly fees accumulate during this process and
are applied to the $5,000 retainer. These selections can
be made with or without the client present. The items
typically originate from the vendors that the client or
builder instructs the Pineapple House designer to use.
They are generally out-of-office appointments and are
billable at the hourly rates detailed in the Staff
Hourly Fee Schedule, below. The client can receive
verbal updates on their balance at any time, and will
receive a statement if $2,500 in billable hourly fees
are assessed. If the balance approaches zero, Pineapple
House will invoice for another $5,000. If the client
does not need this sort of service, has not requested
that Pineapple House conduct nor attend appointments
out-of-office, nor requests any architectural design
concept drawings, then the $5,000 will be unused and
will be applied to any purchases the client makes from
Pineapple House.
The $5,000 retainer is independent from the project’s
minimum purchase amount. It is not applied to that total
unless an unused portion of it is applied to the balance
at the conclusion of the process (at the Installation.)
Presentation: At the Presentation the client
receives invoices with descriptions and prices for the
recommendations for their project. Examples of items
included are new upholstered furniture (sofas, chairs,
etc.,) window treatments, case goods (dining room
furniture, bedroom furniture, end tables, chests, etc.,)
bedding (coverlets, bedspreads, dust skirts,) carpeting
and other ‘soft’ interior goods. Although Pineapple
House will specify flooring, plumbing, light fixtures,
countertops, cabinet styles, etc., we do not sell these
products. Rather, we make the selections for the
clients, and they give the information to their vendor
or builder for implementation.
On the day of the Presentation, the client pays
Pineapple House a deposit of $25,000. The client has
fourteen days after the Presentation to review their
invoices, and if they are unsatisfied for any reason,
they may terminate the design process and receive a full
refund of this deposit. Additionally, any unused portion
of their $5,000 retainer will be refunded. In this
same two-week period, if the design process continues,
the $25,000 deposit is applied to the Minimum Purchase
balance, and the $5,000 retainer to any requested
hourly costs that may have been incurred. The $2,500 design fee collected in Phase
One is for the Consultation, interior design plan
development, interior finish selection and the
Presentation. It is not refunded.
Beginning on the same day as the Presentation, the
client enters a 90-day Refinement period, if adjustments
to the plan are necessary. During this time, the client
and the designer “work through” any changes to the plan
that was proposed. There is no charge for adjustments to
the interior design scheme during this period.
PHASE TWO -- Ordering, Production and Installation
When the client accepts their design proposal, Pineapple
House begins Phase Two. Using the detailed invoices that
they received at the Presentation, and incorporating any
adjustments from the Refinement period, a deposit of
half the approved contract amount is collected. The
$25,000 retainer from Phase One is applied to this
deposit.
Ordering/Production: Once authorized, Pineapple
House begins Ordering and Production. The items on the
approved invoices are considered “Contract” items.
Installation: This is the day (or days) that the
contracted items that the client has ordered are
delivered and installed into the home. Additional items
that may be needed to “complete” the look of the
finished areas are placed in the home during the
Installation. A detailed list of these items is provided
to the client upon the completion of the event. These
invoices are called “Install” invoices. They are often
equal to half the value of the client’s “Contract”
invoices. However, this amount is relative to many
factors, including the amount of appropriate furniture
and accessories already in the client’s possession. The
client is NOT obligated to purchase any of the “Install”
items. The client has two calendar days to review these
items and notify the designer of any items they wish to
purchase. Payment for approved “Install” items is due
within seven calendar days of the Installation.
Prior to delivery/the installation, the remaining balance
from the “Contract” invoices and the balance on any
approved changes are due. The designer notifies the
client of this amount in advance, so records can be
reconciled. The client gives the payment to their
designer no later than one week prior to their Installation day.
Definitions of Billable Charges
At any time the client can request additional services.
These are billable and include out-of-office
appointments, architectural concept design drawings, and
refinements following the 90-day period.
These amounts are charged against the
client’s 5,000 retainer fee.
Out-of-office appointments: If out-of-office
visits are requested by the client to help in the
selection of interior or exterior
construction/renovation elements (i.e., lighting and
plumbing fixtures,) or if visits to showrooms or
factories are necessary, the time invested is billable.
Architectural design concept drawings: Computer Aided
Design (CAD) drawings or hand drafting can be requested
by the client. This includes but is not limited to
construction design concept drawings, lighting plans,
bookcase/fireplace plans and elevations, wall treatment
elevations and ceiling details. The time invested is
billable using the Staff Hourly Fee Schedule, which is
detailed in the section below.
Refinement Period: The Refinement period is
activated automatically on the day of the Presentation.
On that day, the client enters a 90-day Refinement
period, if adjustments to the plan are necessary.
Clients are not billed for changes or alterations to the
plan during the Refinement period. Time investments that
result from client’s changes or alterations following
the 90-day Refinement period are billed on an hourly
basis, as described in the Staff Hourly Fee Schedule,
below.
Clients receive an hourly breakdown for their project if
billable charges are incurred. Clients are informed
about the charges upon their request or if ever $2,500
in charges is assessed. Please note that time required
to order and implement a design scheme by Pineapple
House staff, which has been agreed upon by the designer
and client and on which the client has paid a half
deposit, DO NOT incur any hourly charges.
Staff Hourly Fee Schedule
Principal: $125.00/hour. Stephen Pararo Designers: $85/hour. Project Managers: $55/hour. Construction Management: $110.00/ hour. Architectural/Design Concept drawings: $95/hour. Warehouse Staff: $65/hour
Out-of-town travel expenses (if applicable)
Pineapple House assists clients with homes across the
United States and Canada, and no additional costs are
associated with jobs outside the Atlanta area for our
staff. The additional expenses associated with staff
travel and the transportation of furniture for homes
located more than 100 miles outside of Atlanta are
billed to the client on a cost-reimbursement basis.
Every effort is made to keep these expenses to a
minimum.
There are four categories of expense:
Transportation of Pineapple House staff (airline
flights, rental vehicle, etc.)
Lodging
Food
Transportation costs for delivering the furnishings
Please note that the Installation by Pineapple House’s
staff of the client’s contract purchases is included in
the price of the contract (whether in Atlanta or
outside,) and there is NO CHARGE for the hourly rates of
the designer, project manager or warehouse staff. Only
the additional expenses associated with out of town
travel (as listed above) are billable.
Construction Management
Pineapple House has decades of experience in every aspect of the
construction industry. We offer clients partial or
complete Construction Management services. Our team is
available for any degree of involvement, from the total
construction of a new home to the control and
orchestration of projects like new additions or
renovations. Please contact David Pararo at
404-897-5551 or 404-272-2348 to discuss our construction
capabilities.
You will find photos and
additional information on our website at
pineapplehouse.com . Please
feel free to call Cynthia Pararo at 404-897-5551 if you
have any comments or questions regarding our services.