Terms

About these terms

South Coast Interior Design Concierge is the trading name of Linda Stammers, a sole trader based in Poole, Dorset, providing discreet, on-the-ground interior design project support across Dorset, Hampshire and the New Forest. Linda works as a local extension of the client's team — whether that client is a London interior design studio or a private individual — and these terms reflect that working relationship.

"The client" in these terms means the person or business that engages Linda. Where the client is an interior design studio, the studio retains its own relationship, creative direction and overall ownership of the project. These terms govern Linda's support to the client; they do not govern the client's own contract with any end client, which remains the client's responsibility.

Our working relationship

Linda provides a flexible, tailored service that may include site visits, measuring, pricing, FF&E sourcing, supplier liaison, sampling, site supervision and progress reporting. The precise scope of each engagement is agreed in writing — by email or a short written summary — before work begins. Anything not recorded in that agreement is not part of the engagement.

Linda is engaged as an independent professional, not as an employee. She is responsible for her own working hours, equipment, tax and insurance. Nothing in these terms creates a partnership, agency, or employment relationship.

When the client is a studio

Where the client is an interior design studio, the studio remains the contracting party with its own end client. Linda acts under the studio's direction and does not approach, contract with, or solicit the studio's end client except through and with the studio's knowledge. All end-client-facing communications, presentations and deliverables are made in the studio's name unless the studio expressly agrees otherwise in writing.

The client is responsible for supplying accurate project information, briefs, dimensions, budgets and access to sites, suppliers and trades. Linda relies on that information in good faith and is not liable for consequences arising from inaccuracies or omissions in information supplied by the client.

Quotes, fees and payment

Before any work begins, Linda provides a written quote or fee proposal setting out the scope, the fee (hourly, day rate, or fixed project fee), any travel or expenses, and the anticipated timeline. A quote is valid for thirty days from the date it is issued.

Fees are typically invoiced in stages as work proceeds, or on completion of an agreed milestone. Invoices are payable within fourteen days by bank transfer unless another arrangement is recorded on the invoice. Mileage, parking, tolls and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are charged at cost and itemised on the invoice. Materials, samples and goods ordered on the client's behalf are charged at cost plus any agreed handling fee, and must be settled before or on delivery.

Overdue invoices may attract interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus any reasonable debt-recovery costs, in line with late-payment legislation applicable to business debts. If a client has a genuine concern about an invoice, Linda asks that it be raised promptly and in good faith so the matter can be resolved before payment falls due.

Cancellations and changes

Either party may end an engagement at any time by giving written notice. Where work is cancelled, Linda is entitled to be paid for all work carried out up to the date notice takes effect, together with any committed or non-refundable costs already incurred on the client's behalf.

Site visits or appointments cancelled with less than forty-eight hours' notice may be charged at half the agreed day rate, except where the cancellation is due to genuine illness, emergency, or severe weather affecting travel to the South Coast.

Project scope and timings may change as a design develops. Material changes to the agreed scope — additional site visits, new rooms, revised timelines — will be confirmed in writing and may result in a revised fee. Linda will flag any anticipated cost impact before undertaking the additional work wherever possible.

Your responsibilities

To allow Linda to work safely and effectively, the client agrees to:

• Provide safe, lawful access to project sites, including any required permits or consent.
• Give accurate and timely information, briefs, budgets and dimensions.
• Make decisions and provide feedback within a reasonable timescale to avoid delay.
• Settle invoices for goods and services ordered on its behalf when they fall due.
• Respect Linda's professional standing and not represent her work as that of another designer.

Confidentiality and discretion

Discretion is central to Linda's service. She treats as confidential all project information, client identities, budgets, designs and supplier arrangements shared with her, and does not disclose them to third parties except as necessary to carry out the agreed work or as required by law.

When Linda works for an interior design studio, the studio's client relationship and any designs, drawings and FF&E proposals remain the studio's property. Linda does not present the studio's work elsewhere as her own, nor promote the project publicly — including in a portfolio, on social media, or to prospective clients — without the client's written permission.

Intellectual property

Designs, drawings, schedules, specifications and FF&E proposals developed under the client's direction belong to the client, and Linda assigns no greater rights in them than the client itself holds. The client grants Linda a limited licence to use those materials solely to perform the agreed work.

Where Linda contributes original design input with the client's agreement, the parties will record the ownership and permitted use of that contribution in writing. Linda retains the right to use general methods, templates and professional know-how developed during an engagement in her future work, provided no confidential client information is disclosed.

Liability

Linda carries out her work with the reasonable skill and care of a professional interior design concierge. She is not a structural engineer, surveyor, architect or contractor, and her advice does not replace the assessment of those qualified professionals. Where she flags a concern about structural, mechanical or safety matters, she does so in good faith and recommends the client engage the appropriate specialist.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Linda's liability for any single engagement is limited to the fees paid for that engagement. She is not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation, or losses arising from the acts or omissions of third-party contractors, suppliers or trades over whom she has no control.

Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for any other matter that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Goods and suppliers

Where Linda sources goods, samples or FF&E on the client's behalf, she does so as the client's agent. Title in those goods passes to the client on delivery, and the supplier's own terms govern warranty, returns and defects. Linda is not the manufacturer or retailer and is not liable for manufacturing defects, supply delays outside her control, or goods damaged in transit, though she will help pursue any remedy with the supplier.

Data and privacy

Information shared during an engagement is handled in line with Linda's privacy notice.

Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from an engagement will, wherever possible, be resolved by direct, good-faith discussion between Linda and the client. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, it will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Changes to these terms

Linda may update these terms from time to time. The version shown on this page applies to any engagement current at the time the work is carried out, and a copy of the applicable terms can be supplied on request.

Contact

To discuss these terms, a new engagement, or any question about working with Linda, please use the enquiry form on the main site.