Terms of
service.

Planar Design Studio is a millwork and cabinetry design studio based in Calgary, Alberta. We design and document custom millwork — kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, closets, mudrooms, and similar — for residential, new-build, and multi-family projects.

We do not manufacture cabinetry, install cabinetry, or supply finished products. Our deliverable is the design package — drawings, specifications, and coordination documents — which the client takes to a qualified cabinet shop for fabrication and installation.

These terms apply to all engagements with Planar Design Studio unless modified by a written project agreement signed by both parties. In the event of a conflict between these terms and a signed agreement, the signed agreement governs.

Every engagement begins with a discovery call. After the call, we send a written proposal that defines the project scope: rooms covered, deliverables included, software used, number of revision rounds, timeline, and total fee.

The scope written in the accepted proposal is the scope of the project. Work outside that scope — additional rooms, additional revisions beyond what is included, scope changes mid-project — will be quoted separately and added to the project agreement as a change order.

We will not begin design work without an accepted proposal and a paid deposit (see Section 3 — Payment).

Standard payment structure for design projects: 40% deposit on acceptance of the proposal, 30% on completion of concept design, and 30% on delivery of final production drawings. Deposits are non-refundable once design work begins; subsequent payments are due on milestone completion.

Invoices are due within 14 days of issue. Drawings released to production (sent to the cabinet shop in their final, buildable form) are released only after the final invoice is paid in full.

Alternative payment schedules may apply for specific project types and are set out in the project agreement. Common variations include: multi-family and large new-build projects ($20,000 fee or higher) tied to specific deliverables; rush projects under three weeks (60/40 split with a rush fee); repeat clients (back-loaded 30/30/40); and higher-risk engagements where a 50/40/10 schedule provides additional cashflow protection.

Late payments accrue interest at 1.5% per month (18% annually) on the outstanding balance. We reserve the right to pause project work if an invoice is more than 30 days overdue.

Each service tier includes a specified number of revision rounds (typically two for residential, three for new builds, project-specific for multi-family). Revisions are the client's opportunity to adjust the design before we commit it to production drawings.

A "revision round" means one consolidated set of changes from the client — not unlimited back-and-forth. We will note when a revision round has been used and when the next one begins.

Changes requested after the included revision rounds are exhausted, or after production drawings have been released, are quoted hourly at our standard rate ($150 per hour). Major changes — switching from a kitchen layout to a different layout, or adding a previously-unscoped room — are treated as new scope rather than revisions.

Project timelines are estimated in the proposal based on the scope. Typical ranges: 4 to 6 weeks for a single room, 8 to 12 weeks for a whole-home package, 6 to 10 weeks for multi-family unit kits (plus ongoing build support).

Timelines depend on the client's responsiveness to questions, decisions, and revision feedback. We will indicate clearly when we are waiting on the client. Time spent waiting does not count toward our timeline commitments.

If we expect to miss a scheduled delivery date, we will notify the client in advance and propose a revised date. We are not liable for downstream delays — for example, delays in the cabinet shop's production schedule or the general contractor's overall project timeline.

For renovation projects, we perform an initial site measure as part of the discovery phase. Our drawings are based on these measurements.

For new builds, we typically perform two site measures: an initial measure during framing and a confirmation measure after drywall. The cabinet shop is responsible for any final verification before fabrication.

We rely on the accuracy of architect-supplied drawings for new builds during the early design phases. If as-built conditions differ materially from architect drawings, we may need to revise our work — additional time may be quoted separately.

We do not take responsibility for hidden conditions inside walls (electrical, plumbing, structural) that may affect cabinet installation. Coordinating these is the responsibility of the general contractor or cabinet installer.

Upon final payment, the client receives a non-exclusive perpetual license to use the project drawings for the specific project they were designed for: building it, modifying it, having it built by any cabinet shop, sharing with contractors involved in the project.

Planar Design Studio retains copyright in the drawings themselves and the underlying design work. This means the client cannot resell our drawings, distribute them as a generic template, or claim authorship of the design.

Planar retains the right to display project work in our portfolio — including drawings, completed-project photography, and case study writing — with reasonable anonymisation of client identifying details. If the client prefers no portfolio use at all, this must be requested in writing before final delivery, and we will honour it.

Drawings shared during the design process (concept review, draft elevations, etc.) are shared for review only and are not licensed for fabrication. Releasing draft drawings to a cabinet shop for production before final payment constitutes a breach of these terms.

Either party may terminate a project agreement with written notice if the other party materially breaches these terms (for example, non-payment, or our failure to deliver agreed milestones).

If the client cancels a project after work has begun, the deposit is non-refundable. If concept design is complete but documentation has not begun, the second milestone payment is also due. If documentation is underway, the client is responsible for hours worked at our standard rate.

If we terminate due to client breach (typically non-payment), the client receives whatever drawings have been completed up to the point of termination, in non-buildable format (without final dimensions and specifications). Buildable, production-ready drawings are released only on full payment.

Either party may also walk away during the discovery phase before a proposal is accepted, with no obligation on either side.

Our work is a design service. We are not the cabinet maker, the installer, or the general contractor. The cabinet shop and installer are responsible for verifying dimensions, checking site conditions, and producing work that meets building code and quality standards.

If our drawings contain an error that causes additional cost — for example, a dimension that does not work in the field — our liability is limited to revising the drawings at no additional cost and, if a fabrication error has already occurred, to a refund of the design fees paid for the affected drawings. We are not liable for the cost of refabrication, rework, or delays.

Our total liability for any claim related to a project is limited to the total design fees paid by the client for that project. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or speculative damages.

We carry professional liability insurance appropriate to our practice. Insurance details are available on request.

We treat client project information — drawings, addresses, budgets, personal details — as confidential. We do not disclose specific client details to third parties except subcontractors working on the project under confidentiality, and as required by law.

We expect the same in return: details of our pricing, our processes, our drawing standards, and any non-public information you receive from us during the engagement should not be shared with our competitors.

Confidentiality survives termination of the project agreement.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada.

Any dispute arising from a project engagement will first be addressed by direct discussion. If discussion does not resolve the matter within 30 days, the parties may pursue mediation in Calgary, Alberta before resorting to litigation.

Courts of competent jurisdiction in Calgary, Alberta have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute not resolved by negotiation or mediation.

We may update these terms over time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

Changes apply prospectively — to projects accepted after the change date. Projects already underway are governed by the terms in effect at the time the proposal was accepted, unless both parties agree to update.