Correct interior design project meets following targets:

• It saves Customer’s time. If you have a professionally-made project a constructor performing repairing and finishing works at your object will not endlessly phone you asking questions you are not experienced in: whether you plan to have ceramic tile or porcelain stoneware ; what width the decoration material has; «because we are laying the screed and have to know the thickness of the materials», etc.).
• It saves Customer’s budget.All materials and works are calculated and taken into account in the preparatory project. It allows you to envisage all the expenses and avoid purchasing incorrect items and payment for unnecessary services.
• It saves Customer’s energy and nervous system. Correct interior design project allows you to proceed with your ordinary schedule and way of life during the renovation period. Principal issues are resolved in the project while current troubles are resolved by an architect within the designer’s supervision service.
• It gives a predictable result. Unlike spontaneous renovation without a project you will know exactly the future result if you have a project (how many rooms you will have, what decoration materials will be used, what furniture and equipment you will have and where they will be located, color range and decoration details are selected, etc.).

This question is quite common, you should not be afraid of it. A qualified architect or designer has a professional set of tools (suggestive questions, questionnaires, looking through books and magazines about interiors and even topical games) which help to identify the Customer’s preferences. Naturally, wishes shall be within the budget provided and implementation terms scheduled.

Making a design project is a time-consuming process which consists of several stages:

1. Preparatory stage. At this stage comprehensive information about the object is collected resulting in a design specification prepared and executed by the Customer, which forms a base and legal document for further work with the object.
2. Planning solution. As a result we have one or two options of designing. Such minimum number of solutions is a sign of professionalism and correctly collected information from the Customer. It means that an architect has heard you indeed and consolidated all your wishes in verified plans.
3. Conceptual solution means a search for image of future interior. Manual sketches and 3D visualization are the result of this stage. Besides, principal decoration materials, colors, illumination scenarios are selected and the parameters for future detailed elaboration are laid at this stage.
4. Working documentationAs a result we have an album with all necessary drawings, sheets and specifications based on which a construction brigade may prepare a detailed budget estimate and implement a creative idea of a project author.

There are also services which do not directly refer to designing but which can essentially simplify Customer’s life: purchasing service, designer’s supervision, renovation process management. This kind of services is provided under a separate contract with a specialist, which envisages all the details of the project implementation work planned and payment terms.

We can answer this question based on personal professional practice. With serious architectural education and work experience at construction sites we try to pay maximum attention to engineering issues in our competence, namely:

• Locations of electric fittings (sockets, regulators of temperature, etc.) are planned
• Plan of lamp switching/inclusion by groups is worked out;
• Sanitary equipment is selected subject to applicable sizes, forms, functions and budget;
• The project takes into account existence and location of such comprehensive networks as conditioning and ventilation. They often have a great impact on planning and designing solutions.

A design project however does not and shall not concern the following blocks of information:

• Electricity project (cable sections, quantity of cable, cable routes, design of electrical distribution box, etc.);
• Heating and ventilation project (estimation of power and selection of equipment, routes, joints, sections).
• Internal water supply and sewerage project (detailed trace of systems, meter stations, main filters and leak defense system)
• Low-voltage networks (multiroom, smart home, alarm, the Internet networks);
• Executive drawings for bath and toilet and electricity.

As to a small and easy object it is not necessary to order engineering sections design separately, for this issue is in the competence of a construction brigade. As to a large one respective specialists shall prepared project documentation.

Under our Tint Soul project an average rate for all the stages of a design project is 1,500 rubles per sq.m. of the total square of the object. Public interiors (due to a large area) are cheaper, complex interiors (an apartment in the old dwelling stock in the center of the city or technically-complicated objects) are more expensive. Also the total cost of design project is influenced by the Customer’s occupancy, terms of project implementation, object location. Exact price of a certain design project is calculated on an individual basis.

The cost of the project may be lowered in the following cases:

• If you have good spatial perception or are ready to rely on the specialists’ opinion and refuse to order stage of interior visualization;
• If you have a professional construction education or are employed in the sphere of construction, which means that you know the peculiarities of a construction process. In this case a conceptual solution and basic set of working drawings without detailed elaboration will be enough for you.

The cost of the project may be increased in the following cases:

• If you have tight or limited terms for project elaboration;
• If your object is substantially far from St. Petersburg;
• If your object is located in the old dwelling stock in the center of the city and may not be disassembled before start of a design stage. In such conditions, as our practice shows, we can say that amendments will be likely to be made in the design solutions after disassembly, which is initially considered in the cost of design project and eliminates further increase in the costs for renovation works.

See Services for detailed information.

The schedule of payments and amounts are set forth in the contract for design project preparation. The proportion of payment for the works in a small apartment (up to 50 sq.m) is typically 50/50 (50% is paid in advance and 50% is paid after the designing is completed).

In case of large projects a 30/40/30 formula is used: (30% is paid in advance, 40% is paid after completion of planning and conceptual solution, 30% is end payment after acceptance of a working documentation). Payment is made via bank transfer to the actual executive party.

Yes, we do. We have discounts for our services. Discount may be offered if your object’s area exceeds 200 sq.m. Besides, loyal customers may get special terms and prices.

On average, work on all the stages of a design project of a small apartment (up to 50 sq.m) takes one or one and a half months. Design of two- or three-room apartment takes two and a half or three and a half months. If just conceptual and planning solutions are prepared the terms may be shortened up to one calendar month.

It is necessary to take into account that terms of designing depend also on the speed with which the Customer is ready to react to the solutions offered by an architect. The approval term is difficult to forecast beforehand, taking into account the difference in approaches to decision-making process practiced by different Customers due to individual reasons.

In order to efficiently optimize timing our team tries to prepare a design specification detailed to the highest extent, collect all initial data about the object, clarify and take into account all wishes and expectations of the Customer before designing works start.

You should avoid this situation; however we can face it very often in our practice. As a rule the Customer wants to start construction works and simultaneously order the design project because he/she tries to shorten timing of renovation and speed up the result. Practice demonstrates the opposite picture: prolongation of terms due to layers of tasks unsolved; need to correct current mistakes made by repairmen; unpredictable growth of the budget.

Interior of high quality can be created if the following consecutive stages are observed:

1. Acquaintance with the Customer and the object. At this stage you should understand that the cooperation is mutually comfortable because the implementation of the project means close communication of a specialist and the Customer during several months. If you face with overwhelming difficulties at initial stage of contact we kindly advise you to change an architect or a designer.
2. Collection of data about the object. It is important to collect any and all data about the object before the designing stage starts: make surveys, study engineering networks, questionnaire the Customer and record all requirements in the technical specification.
3. Planning solution. At this stage geometry and functions of space are worked out and the only one option of designing solution is selected.
4. Conceptual solution means shaping of harmonious space taking into account the figures of geometry and functional zoning (selection of color range, type of decoration materials, form of furniture; the lighting concept).
5. Working documentation. It is a long stage which makes implementation of the selected solution possible: all the plans, interior views, details are prepared, number of materials is calculated.
6. Furnishing of the object with necessary items (decoration materials, bath and toilet equipment, lamps, doors, furniture, etc.).

Construction is better to start after clauses 1-5 are fulfilled. If the sequence is mixed or one of the stages is excluded it may lead to loss of money, time and another unpredictable result. Time spent for the project preparation will be recovered in full by shortening of time spent for construction works made strictly in accordance with a professional project and transparency of the results expected..

The exemptions from the rules described are objects from the old dwelling stock. For example, once we worked with an old dwelling stock object which required sound structural reinforcement (walls, covering, window openings) before any decoration works might start and their completion took more than one month. During this preparatory construction stage a design project of the object was also completely finished.

We can meet to discuss the project at any location and time convenient for you (your home or office, warm cafe or any other place in which you feel comfortable).

At the stages of materials, bath and toilet equipment or kitchen unit selection we also can meet with the Customer in respective showrooms or shops.

The time of meetings is to be discussed: we can meet on weekends or in the evenings. The meeting can last 1-3 hours.

The renovation and decoration market is highly developed, with the plenty of proposals. We have faced different types of builders in our practice and that is why we can describe you the signs of fair and unfair ones.

Signs of unfair construction workers:

• Without understanding what is going to be done they define the total cost of works, which as a rule is less than average on the market;
• They demand from you to make an advance payment for future works at once without discussing your budget, wishes and possibilities;
• They fail to prepare a detailed estimate of costs for works as a matter of principle;
• They enter into a contract which can’t be relied on and where no important parameters of future work are set forth (time and list of works to be done, determination of additional works and their cost) or even fail to make a contract at all;
• They fail to show you receipts from the shops for construction goods purchased by them. In this situation there is a risk of intentional purchase of materials of poor quality (delinquent) or use by the construction workers of materials taken from other objects they are working on, i.e. they just put the money allocated by you to purchase materials in their purses;
• They offer to make some doubtful works which significantly increase the cost of renovation (for example, to conceal magistral water pipes in the wall, to cut and alter magistral water pipes, etc.);
• They fail to provide you informative photos of the works made;
• They have no constant construction brigade (the composition of the brigade is constantly changed);
• They smoke and drink alcohol at the object violating working discipline;
• They communicate with you in aggressive manner, when they refuse to answer your questions about the renovation process referring to their professionalism and knowledge of the matter;
• They are not able to understand working documentation and are not ready to work with design project.

Signs of fair construction workers:

• They ask you to tell them in detail about renovation works planned by you at the very first stages of cooperation;
• They provide you a detailed estimate of costs for works;
• They prepare a competent contract covering all the construction stages (cost and timing of works, list of works, responsibility of the parties, warranties for works done, etc.);
• They can understand working documentation and prefer to work with design project;
• They report (provide receipts) to you in regard to all materials purchased by them;
• They work strictly in accordance with the project and do not offer unnecessary works;
• They may arrange visit to the objects completed or being worked at or provide you informative photos of their finished work;
• They have a constant construction brigade chaired by a construction manager who is personally liable for the results of works ordered. The Customer communicates directly to him/her;
• They neither smoke nor drink alcohol at the object complying with working discipline;
• The construction site is kept in order (waste is removed from the object on time);
• They are polite and attentive; they are ready to give respective answers to any questions arising as well as give explanations and arguments to prove their decisions.

Within the Tint soul project we are ready to offer you services of construction workers who can be relied upon and partnership with whom is verified by many of projects successfully implemented together. Years of cooperation gave us a single professional language and we understand each other very well.

Correct planning of global renovation of a residential or public premise shall start with applying to a professional who has practical knowledge in the sphere, answering such questions as “what is to be done” and “how can it be done with high quality”.

The next stage is to get contact with an architect or a designer selected. You shall not be afraid of answering detailed questions of a specialist who is to understand what surrounding is perfect for you. During the negotiations you will be able to understand if it is comfortable for you to work with that person and if you may rely on his/her approach. If there is no such a feeling you shall replace the designer and avoid spending time and money.

A specialist’s portfolio is the main criterion for selection. You shall pay attention to the projects implemented and not just to designed ones. Projects may be beautiful and bold, they may have awards in competitions but if a designer has no practical experience you will suffer more stress.

A specialist may just lack experience to solve current tasks in the process of implementation of your design. For example, we have often observed a situation when an interior solution required designing of original details for the design created. You should know that this task requires not only design knowledge but experience in communication with contractors, reconcilement of disputes at all the stages, which may be very difficult to cope with for a young specialist.

You also should carefully study the quality of drawings in the portfolio. These multipage working documents serve as a basis for construction workers to understand what and how they will do. If you have already chosen a construction brigade or know someone working in the construction sphere you should show them the specialist’s drawings and enquire if it would be potentially possible to work with such project documents.

Of course there are such proposals on the market. Let’s describe some of them:

Proposals from newcomers who work for their portfolios. You may see no difficulties at the designing stage: everything is good and you like it. But troubles may start at the implementation stage, when it will become clear that there is lack of sockets at the object while certain equipment has been already purchased, or there is lack of space for some furniture and the shower stand is set at such a height that only a child can use it.

You should define at once if you are ready for the experiment which may cost you extra expenses. Also you can face global inconsistencies: the picture shows you one kind of furniture and reality shows another, for example, if the designer’s wishes conflict with the Customer’s financial abilities or terms of delivery of the items ordered.

Proposals from people of another profession, who wish to design interiors for pleasure or as a hobby. These people are able to cope with simple decoration tasks. But you shall keep in mind that the task is prepared for their own pleasure and it is supposed a priori that you may only praise their efforts without negative comments which would be out of their concept of hobby.

Besides it may be dangerous to deliver full responsibility to an amateur designer: it may be so that he/she does not know normative regulations influencing security and health of inhabitants.

Proposals from practicing designers to take part in implementation of bold and avant-garde design projects. This option may be a good decision if you feel morally and financially ready for such experiments and match designer’s criteria of selection. In this situation you will not choose but will be chosen yourself.

Free of charge design project proposal from construction companies provided that you order building and decoration works. This proposal may be viable if you do not want something special and agree to have a typical solution.

You should not expect individual approach: construction companies often practice line production. A sector of top decoration services may be a comfort exclusion when the cost of design project is insignificant compared to the cost of works and the company may afford a department of excellent professionals in design.

Proposals from interior shops and showrooms. This proposal may be limited to a certain item which defines the shop’s profile: for example, kitchen unit design or selection of textile to an apartment.

You should not expect a comprehensive project with all technical details either: maximum you will get is visualization and list of purchases.

Everybody can decide what option suits him/her depending on his/her personal expectations and abilities. Just remember that it is kind of arrogance to expect from free option the same result as from comprehensive work with a professional under a contract.

Field supervision is a service provided by an author of a design project or a representative of the author’s team, which is aimed at securing compliance of results of renovation and decoration works to design project prepared before. In other words during the field supervision an architect or a designer observes that construction workers follow project solutions.

An author shall keep in mind end result at any stage of works, starting from disassembly, while construction workers are free from having such a picture in their minds. If during the works some current troubles arise the author of the project will solve them together with the construction workers. Necessary amendments may be made to the design project as well and additional drawings of joints and details are prepared. The service implies a record book of field supervision or minutes of visits.

Field supervision may help to liquidate serious construction errors or detect and immediately resolve a current trouble which was not evident at the designing stage. It is especially important for the old dwelling stock conditions limiting the possibility to make disassembling works before designing starts. You shall divide field and technical supervision.

Field supervision may be unnecessary if the object is small and simple or when you have a competent interior project and enough time for communication with construction workers. It seems reasonable to order this service if you have no renovation experience, no time, if your object is large in size and if your budget is big enough.

Unlike field supervision technical supervision is performed by a technical supervision specialist who has respective construction education. The responsibilities of such a specialist include verification of compliance of works made by construction workers with construction norms, regulations and standards. A representative of technical supervision verifies that concrete screed is smooth and walls are vertical enough, examines cable section and routing of utility networks, checks if engineering equipment is correctly installed and connected, etc.

A technical supervision specialist shall be present at the objects which require serious rearrangement. Otherwise you will face difficulties when you submit an apartment for approval of the Interagency Committee and put the object into operation.

As to small objects such specialist may be called if the Customer wishes so. It seems reasonable to apply separately to a representative of technical supervision if the renovation implies big budget and the project is full of complicated technical solutions. Also this additional service will allow to avoid technical errors and troubles during future object operation.

The issue of saving funds during the renovation works always arises and has become more crucial lately. Renovation in an apartment, house or office is expensive process and we understand the Customer in his/her wish. Let’s describe the items which may and even must be saved on and those which should not.

Items which may be saved on:

• • Separately located furniture (it may be easily replaced if necessary);
• • Lamps (they may also be replaced without touching general concept of an interior);
• • Wallpaper (you can purchase nonwoven wall paper over paint instead of expensive designer wallpaper and renovate walls if necessary);
• • Floor covering (you can replace a massive panel with engineering one which is even better for an apartment);
• • Imported decoration materials and appliances/pieces/hardware/products (you can replace them with Russian analogues). For example, Russian manufacturing companies offer good quality assortment of ceramic tile and porcelain stoneware (we advise you Italon and ATLAS CONCORDE collections), doors, windows and kitchen units (we draw your attention to the production of Maria manufacturing company);
• • Textile and accessories.

You can essentially save if you purchase on promotion offers or at sales. However it demands certain skills and time from you and the result sometimes is not worth efforts spent.

Items which are better not to save on (such saving may lead to serious extra expenses with the lapse of time):

• Rough finish (reinforced screed , walls, floor and ceiling aligning). Rough finish using cheap materials or violating standard operating procedures (work performed by non-qualified workers) may lead to crackling of walls and tearing of wallpaper, peeling of plaster, squeaking of floor covering, etc. If you have to alter rough finish it means you will perform new renovation works, which is a long and expensive process.
• Engineering systems. This type of works shall be performed with the use of materials of good quality and by qualified specialists.

Water supply. We kindly advise you to install a collector distribution allowing to set all taps and water counters in a single place where convenient access for servicing is arranged. In force majeure circumstances you will know exactly what hatch to open and where taps shall be blocked.

Also you should not save on magistral water filters. We advise you to buy metal filters (there were cases of tapping out a bottom of plastic filters in the situation of water hammer in our practice, which resulted in flooding of several floors in a house).

Also we advise you to install a leak defense system (Neptun, for example), which will control internal distribution even if you are absent and automatically close magistral pipes in case of leakage;

Electricity supply. You should not save on electricity (automatic breakers, emergency circuit breakers, cables, electric fittings (sockets, switch-offs) of good quality) which is directly connected with fire safety in your premise.

Electrical works shall be mandatorily performed by qualified specialists in compliance with the electrical engineering regulations. When non-qualified workers are employed you may suffer a damage of household appliances, inflammation or smoking.

We advise you to include in the project more sockets than you will probably need, which will allow you to avoid using extension poles and other devices and will make it possible to move the furniture without inconvenience;

Ventilation and conditioning. If you plan to install a conditioning system you should think it over beforehand because inclusion of a conditioner after completion of renovation works is more labour-intensive process.

Also you should remember that in accordance with the Regulation of the Government of St. Petersburg No 1135 of 14 September 2006 “On Approval of Regulations of Maintenance and Repair of Facades of Buildings and Facilities in St. Petersburg” installation of a conditioner requires special approval. For detailed information please refer to the web-site of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development: http://kgainfo.spb.ru/pages/isogd/docs/docs.html.

The issue of forced ventilation is especially crucial for public spaces in which it is responsible for required labour conditions for employees and comfort atmosphere for guests.

Installation of off-nominal capacity equipment (for example, with lesser capacity due to its lower price) may lead to decrease of working ability, worsening of guests’ state of health and failure in equipment operation.

Installation of plenum valves is a useful solution for apartments with plastic windows. The cost of one plenum valve including installation works will not exceed 3,000 rubles but the microclimate of a premise will be much better. We recommend Domvent.

• Entrance door. If you have any doubts regarding quality and soundness of the entrance door installed by the Developer it is reasonable to replace it. Unfortunately cases of breaking entrance doors and stealing of materials, bath and toilet equipment, another devices from the apartments in which renovation is going on have become more frequent recently.
• Sanitary equipment and mixer tapsThis equipment is permanently operated that is why you should be completely sure that it has been manufactured by a reliable company. Due to wide range of manufacturing companies good warranty conditions and developed network of service centers in your city shall be your criteria. You should not buy such equipment in unreliable online stores (also because of prospective troubles with future warranty).
• Built-in household appliances.Again reliable manufacturing companies shall be preferred due to difficulties in replacement of items ordered (the cases are frequent when sizes of built-in appliances of different manufacturers do not match, that is why it is not easy to replace one model with any other).
• Built-in furniture. Selection of materials of good quality and professional services may save you from serious additional expenses for replacement of built-in furniture. Special attention shall be paid to fittings which are first to get out of order if you order an item in cheap segment.
• Object insurance If you plan or have already completed expensive renovation it is unreasonable to save on insurance of your real estate object, especially if you have neighbors here and there.

Renovation process is connected with plenty of possible difficulties which can be divided into several general groups:

• Organizational. Such difficulties may arise if there is no organizational cooperation between construction workers/suppliers/ designer/ Customer. It is worth spending time to clear out all the nuances of future communication during the renovation work process so that every participant understands the scope of his/her responsibility, algorithm of trouble shooting and ways of communication (via telephone, e-mail, messengers, etc.).
• Financial. If you do not have a prepared interior project and detailed estimate of costs for works before renovation and decoration works start you may find yourself in a situation of full misunderstanding of final amount of costs (you have planned to spend less money and are not ready to pay more). If the issue of budget amount is crucial for you it is necessary to envisage a detailed working project which will serve as a basis for clear cost estimate and calculation of materials. These stages shall be approved before renovation works start.
• Technical. Technical difficulties are especially relevant for old stock dwelling (houses built in the early 20th century) where plenty of unexpected aspects may arise which sometimes may cost you much. In such circumstances it is reasonable to order detailed technical survey of the object in a specialized company before designing stage starts in order to understand the condition of supporting structures and utilities. As to newly-built dwelling, as a rule, such difficulties can be resolved. Moreover if you apply to qualified construction workers and order field supervision at the object you may avoid resolving them at all.
• Unforeseen. The Customer shall understand that no one can figure out in advance the whole process of renovation works at the object that’s why one should take the renovation process easy realizing that unforeseen circumstances are likely to occur. Let’s describe some unforeseen situations from our experience:
  • Unforeseen ruble crash including its consequences. In 2014 we experienced the situation when suppliers interrupted delivering goods for some time waiting for stabilization of exchange rates, which in its turn moved the terms planned;
  • You shall take into account the factor of queues at the customs before the New Year holiday if you order imported items. Also the term of supply may be longer in summer due to August holidays of many European manufacturing companies;
  • End of production of an item included in the project. Within the field supervision service and furnishing at the object the trouble will be resolved by finding an appropriate item for replacement;
  • The apartment being renovated is flooded by the neighbors living in the upper floor. No one can foresee such force majeure. The only thing you can do is to visit the upper neighbors to check the condition of their bath and toilet equipment and water pipe distribution if possible before renovation works start;
  • The ordered doors proved to be of another color. The doors had to be repainted and the supplier recovered overdue losses;
  • Another model of the ordered bath tub was delivered. The supplier had mixed orders and sent the bath tub with hydromassage instead of a classical one which cost twice more than the ordered item. Due to the supplier’s error the Customer left the bath tub delivered without compensating the difference in price (the terms did not allow to make a new order).

The time period of the renovation process depends on the size of the object in meters as well as complexity and scope of works to be done. Provided a correct working project is prepared and qualified specialists are employed the average time necessary for renovation is:

• 1.5 – 2 months for 1-room apartment (up to 50 sq.m.);
• 2.5 – 4 months for 2-room apartment (55-70 sq.m.);
• 3 – 6 months for 3-4-room apartment (75-110 sq.m.).

These term may be increased in case of complicated project solutions (old stock dwelling, global rearrangement, complicated engineering or exclusive decoration).

We shall note that terms may be affected by weather conditions. In summer when central heating is intercepted and when it is constantly raining the plaster may dry out for not a couple of weeks but a couple of months (and it is not always reasonable to speed up the process by hot air blowers).

The suppliers may influence the terms as well (if there are no ordered items in their list of materials, equipment or appliances).

It is very important question because materials, equipment and furniture directly form the look of the object and influence its functionality.

Starting from the end of 2014 the interior market was fluctuating along with the ruble fluctuations. Many Russian manufacturers depend on the imported parts or raw materials that is why prices are quite uncertain. You shall pay attention to the following criteria when you select a certain supplier of an item:

• Management. Half of success depends on human factor. A manager shall be polite, attentive and competent in his/her sphere, shall be in contact and able to answer any questions regarding the product. All customer’s wishes shall be recorded and considered. Especially manager’s professionalism is important when you order such expensive items as kitchen unit and bath and toilet equipment. If you have doubts in adequacy, attentiveness or professionalism of a manager after communicating to him/her it is better to go to another company.
• Informative web-site containing contacts and addresses. Addresses and contacts are necessary if you have to file a claim or to go to court. It is better not to use unreliable online stores with doubtful landings.
• Period of presence of the shop on the market. If a company is a newcomer we advise you to apply to it only if you have independent reviews of close acquaintances. If you plan to order many items and spend a large amount of money it is reasonable to purchase something small and cheap at first. It will be a guarantee from large money losses and save your time and nerves.
• The chosen supplier has a showroom or a shop in your city. It is not difficult to order goods in another municipality or region thanks to developed cargo transportations. Interior items, however, are of such nature that is more convenient to deal with on-site.
• Price. Sometimes reliable suppliers have interesting offers and discounts but on average too low market price is a reason to anticipate prospective troubles in case you decide to make an order. You can compare prices by monitoring Yandex market service or taking price lists of several suppliers.
• The chosen supplier has samples of materials. It is normal to order bath and toilet equipment or mixer taps on the basis of catalogues but you shall see the color and touch the surface finish of the future furniture, parquet, tile yourself. If a supplier refuses to show you samples of fabric, leather, glass, parquet, tile or kitchen façade you are better to apply to another company (real characteristics can differ a lot from beautiful pictures in the catalogues). Good suppliers see no problem in provision necessary samples to a Customer or an architect (sometimes you are to pledge something), which allows you to compare different materials at the object, understand if parquet matches tiles and if selected kitchen façade complements them.
• Correct bundling of complex items. You can often observe the following picture in online stores: you see the bath tub which you wish and the price is good enough, you decide to purchase it and make an order. And only when you get the order you understand that the bath tub would not function without additional fittings (assembly set, siphon piping and front panel). If you purchase all these fittings the total price will be close to that of the bath tub as a complete package proposed by a specialized showroom which you disregarded at first in order to save money. If you have no experience in renovation process arrangement and respective purchases you should initially apply to specialized shops and showrooms where a manager will correctly complete your order taking into account all necessary details. You shall be ready to pay a little more but it is a price for professional approach and feeling calm.
• Delivery and acceptance of goods at the Customer’s location. You should ask if the supplier is responsible for damage of goods in the process of transportation and if there is a possibility to order lifting of materials to your floor (some suppliers do not provide such a service at all because the goods are transported in a car with a driver but without movers and as a result the customer is to reload the goods himself/herself). It is necessary to clarify the regulations of goods acceptance, list of documents which you will have to fill in as acceptance, what you can open and what packages you shall leave untouched for verification of quality and completeness of the order. You should remember that if the documents are filled in incorrectly or incompletely you will not be able to file a claim to the supplier.
• Warranty and service maintenance. You should check guarantee periods and terms and conditions of warranty (absence of supplier’s stamp on the warranty paper means that you have no right to claim service repair by the manufacturing company). You should clarify whether a service department of a company works in line with expectations. When you order expensive items it is reasonable to call to the service center before purchasing and confirm that the company is responsive and attentive to the problems of their customers, which is especially relevant when you buy engineering equipment and complex low power systems (smart home concept).
• Work with claims. You should ask a manager about terms and conditions of processing by the company of claims , if any. If it is a good faith company the question will not cause displeasure or surprise. They will tell you in detail about the order of claim processing. If the company praises itself for absence of claims in its history you should consider if you want to deal with such a suspicious company.

Within our Tint Soul project we try to deal with reliable suppliers which meet all the selection criteria, speak a professional language and value their reputation.