Motif Design Studio - Vancouver, British Columbia

John C.

Used Motif Design to consult with our renovations and re-design of our new retail business. After receiving her quote we decided to look into other quotes, we found that other companies were quoting lower, but at the discretion of using less quality materials.

After contacted Ms Wendling and the other businesses to discuss and compare quotes we were explained, and agree, we were not comparing apples to apples in terms of the materials and contractors planned to execute the job (for the staff kitchen and main store area)

We appreciated the hands on approach Ms Wendling showed as she not only completed her first estimate, but came back to show us in detail how the job would be performed and what we could expect for dry-wall repairs we would face.

As we were quite hurried to have the job done we decided to give her a chance, and glad we did. The job was executed slightly over the timeframe expected (by 2 days - however during december it seemed acceptable, and was glad that each day I noticed significant improvements day over day, the clean up at the end of days end was completed quite well to my satisfaction minus a bit of dust and debris that I found very easy to vacuum up ourself)

By the end of the planned 11 day project (which turned into 13 business days) we were very satisfied by the finishing and overall atmosphere she created for us. As someone with very little to no design experience I was feeling very comfortable by day 3-4 seeing that her design was definately coming together and incorporated my vision that I initially set out.

I was recommended this company by a professor at Emily Carr, and although I was initially hesistant to proceed and wanted to go with a more well known and proven commercial designer and contractors I am glad I went with a residential company instead. I was not only able to save a few thousand dollars (on a 5 figure commercial job) I found she was very easy to talk with, and understood my concerns and made sure to address them.

Great Job Team Motif - and although I found my own dry-wall contractor, I did appreciate you finding one for me.

I am giving 5 stars, however as nothing in this world is exactly perfect, my only recommendation would perhaps be to explain a bit earlier in the project that it may be delayed - however finding out on day 6 was not too much a issue - I do understand that you dont have X-Ray vision or often work in commercial buildings and could not have anticipated the depth of our walls and how difficult it may be to navigate through the walls without disturbing our neighbours. Which by the way, our neighbors never once mentioned any disturbance which was a huge bonus as we were a bit worried that they would be annoyed by the drilling.

Service 10/10
Budget friendly 11/10 (well below the commercial contractors estimates when we asked them to match the same materials you planned - and followed through - on using)
Cost vs Estimate 9/10 (ended up being over by $890, or about 4%)
Execution and clean up 9.5/10 (Basically just light vacuuming, and no damage or noticably rub marks to other areas that may have already existed before your job began)
Friendly - 10/10
Knowledgable (8/10) - Ms Wendling was upfront that this was her first job doing a commercial building (2233 Granville Street) however I could tell that her extensive experience in home-design was more than sufficient for this specific project.

I would hire her again, and will be recommending.

Thank you Ms Wendling for your time and co-operation, I wish you the best in your business, and I know you'll see great success with your future endeavors.

Long Story Short, Yourself, and the contractors you recommend were were professional, friendly, knowledgable and helpful throughout and we will think highly of them all.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
All the best for 2024.