About These Policies
 
These policies govern design services booked with Austyn Atelier and purchases made through the Atelier Shop at austynatelier.com. By booking a service or placing an order, you agree to the policies below. Questions about these policies? Contact the studio through our contact form. Note: these policies are provided as a professional template and do not constitute legal advice. Austyn Atelier should have them reviewed by a licensed attorney before publishing.
 
PART I — DESIGN SERVICES POLICIES
 
1. Consultations: Initial consultations are held by appointment and may be conducted in person, by video, or by phone. Consultation fees, where applicable, are communicated before booking and are non-refundable. A consultation is an exploratory meeting and does not constitute a design agreement until a written proposal is signed.
 
2. Engagements & Proposals: All design engagements begin with a written proposal outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees. Work begins only after the proposal is signed and any required retainer is received. Verbal agreements or email threads alone do not constitute an engagement.
 
3. Fees & Payment: Fee structures (flat fee, hourly, or percentage-based) are defined in each proposal. A non-refundable retainer is due at signing to reserve studio time. Progress payments are due on the schedule stated in the proposal. Work may pause if payments are more than 7 days past due. Purchases made on the client's behalf (furnishings, materials, art) are billed at cost plus the procurement fee stated in the proposal, and are non-refundable once ordered.
 
4. Cancellations & Rescheduling: Consultations rescheduled with at least 48 hours' notice incur no fee; later changes forfeit the consultation fee. If a client cancels an engagement after signing, the retainer is non-refundable. Work completed to the cancellation date is billed in full. The studio may reschedule site visits due to conditions outside its control; clients are notified promptly and appointments are rebooked at no penalty.
 
5. Changes to Scope: Requests beyond the signed proposal — additional rooms, revised concepts after approval, or expedited timelines — are documented in a written change order with adjusted fees and timeline before work proceeds. No out-of-scope work begins without client approval of the change order.
 
6. Intellectual Property: Design concepts, drawings, renderings, and specifications remain the intellectual property of Austyn Atelier until full payment is received, at which point usage rights transfer to the client for the project as built. The studio retains the right to photograph completed work and use it in its portfolio, website, and press features unless the client requests otherwise in writing before project completion.
 
7. Confidentiality: Both parties agree to keep non-public project information — budgets, addresses, personal details — confidential and to share it only with vendors and contractors as needed to execute the work.
 
8. Limitation of Liability: Austyn Atelier's liability for any claim arising from design services is limited to the fees paid for the engagement. The studio is not liable for delays caused by third parties, contractors, manufacturers, or shipping carriers, nor for indirect or consequential damages.
 
PART II — ATELIER SHOP POLICIES
 
1. Order Processing: Orders are processed within 2–3 business days (Monday–Friday, excluding holidays). You will receive an order confirmation by email, followed by tracking information once your order ships. If an item becomes unavailable after you order, you will be notified and refunded in full.
 
2. Shipping & Delivery: Orders ship within the United States via tracked carriers. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on destination and weight. Estimated delivery is 5–10 business days after processing. Delivery dates are estimates, not guarantees. Risk of loss transfers to the carrier upon shipment. If tracking shows delivery and you cannot locate your package, contact us within 7 days so we can assist. We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers, weather, or customs.
 
3. Refunds: We maintain a strict final-sale policy. Exceptions will only be evaluated through our formal dispute review process and are granted at our sole discretion for valid claims. If a refund is approved, it will be issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days after we receive and inspect the returned item. Shipping charges are non-refundable except in instances where an error was committed by us.
 
4. Damaged or Lost Items: If your order arrives damaged, photograph the packaging and item and contact us within 7 days of delivery through our contact form. We will replace the item or refund you — your choice. If a tracked package is confirmed lost by the carrier, we will reship or refund.
 
5. Candle Care & Safety: Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each burn and allow the wax to melt to the edge of the vessel on the first burn. Never leave a burning candle unattended, near drafts, or within reach of children or pets. Discontinue use when 1/2 inch of wax remains. Burning a candle is at your own risk. Austyn Atelier is not liable for misuse or failure to follow safety instructions.
 
Contact & Acceptance
 
Austyn Atelier • austynatelier.com. For questions, concerns, or disputes, please reach us through our contact form. By booking services or placing an order, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these policies. Austyn Atelier may update these policies at any time; the version in effect at the time of your booking or order applies.