Square Footage

Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in multiple aspects of my experience with Square Footage Inc.
The kitchen design was not to my taste....too ‘country’ with coloured cabinetry and knotty pine hardwood (when I like white cabinetry and have classic taste). A design that was also not workable - according to both an engineer and an architect in addition to my general contractor (the structural changes to remove walls in the kitchen and not adequate room for the kitchen island) - so I also paid for a design that was useless. I was clear about my budget for their portion of the project and they completely
ignored it (wanted almost 50% of what I had budgeted for the entire house - 2 floors and a basement/4500 square feet - for just the two rooms they were asked to do - the master bathroom and kitchen) and they were not even doing the electrical or plumbing for those rooms. For the 2 rooms they quoted almost $150,000 despite being told my funds for renovating the entire house was $300,000 (I was VERY clear about this throughout the process and very clear that they were only being asked to design and build the 2 rooms.
(And for those who have limited or no experience with renovation costs (like I did) I can also say that for their estimated cost of just redoing the master bathroom at almost $75,000, I was able to have beautiful custom cabinets made and installed in 6 bathrooms, a basement bar area and a huge kitchen, in addition to 3 fireplace surrounds and a giant built in..)
They were NEVER asked to be involved in the whole house renovation as I had already secured a general contractor for that and knew that I needed to be careful with costs to stay within my overall budget).
They collected their deposit (more than 1/3 in cash) all of which ended up being nonrefundable (although that was never discussed) immediately before providing me with their estimates which as noted above were astronomical, and the finishes, which, again, were almost the exact opposite of my taste.
In the end I paid $14,000 for 2 designs that were not used and they did not do a single thing to my house. Even, given the serious issues that arose, I would have understood them wanting some payment for their time making the 2 designs but to keep the entire deposit of $14,000 especially given the designs were not acceptable (and not safe based on an engineer and architect), is ridiculous.
It’s a shame because I think some of their work is beautiful but they seriously underdelivered in all areas in this case and I feel like I have been taken advantage of.
I have actually held off making this review for some time in the hopes that we would be able to come up with a fair compromise - even considering using those funds for a future project with some misgivings on my part but better that then losing that kind of money - but they have been clear they have no intention of budging in any way. I am a busy single mother with 3 children and do not have money like this to waste.

Regardless of whatever they say when they respond to this review - I have emails that confirm everything that I am stating in this review - including the basic engineering design issues as noted by the other professionals that came in, my overall budget and the scope of work they were asked to do.

Really this review is just to forewarn potential clients and encourage you to do your homework. Be very clear with your budget and expectations.....but also get a written estimate from them before paying a deposit as they did not respect my budget.