Terms of Service
These Terms of Service apply to all design, consultancy, project support, styling, sourcing, renovation guidance, custom work and practical renovation services carried out by Studio Sernella, Jennifer Kenters and Boy Marcelis, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
By confirming a proposal, booking a service, approving a quote or asking us to start work, the client agrees to these terms.
1. Our role
Studio Sernella offers design direction, renovation guidance, practical project support, styling, sourcing and selected execution work. We help clients make clear decisions, understand the potential of a property and move through the renovation or furnishing process with more structure and confidence.
Our work is based on professional care, experience and best effort. We cannot guarantee a specific final result, legal approval, permit outcome, contractor performance, supplier availability, rental income, property value increase or exact renovation cost.
2. Scope of work
Each project starts with a proposal or written agreement describing the agreed scope, fee and deliverables.
Only the items clearly mentioned in the proposal are included. Any additional work, extra meetings, additional revisions, sourcing, site visits, coordination, technical drawings, styling, shopping, custom work or execution support will be charged separately after written approval.
If the project changes during the process, we may update the scope and fee accordingly.
3. Design process and revisions
Our design work is developed in phases. A proposal may include a first review, questionnaire, site visit, sketch design, final design, room schedules, sourcing, styling or support during execution.
Unless stated otherwise, each design phase includes one revision round. This allows the client to review the work and request reasonable adjustments within the agreed scope.
Additional changes, new directions, late changes, extra options or changes after approval are not included and will be quoted separately.
Our work does not continue indefinitely until every detail is changed without additional cost. We provide a professional proposal, review it with the client, make the agreed adjustments and then move to the next phase.
4. Client approvals
The client is responsible for reviewing all drawings, layouts, moodboards, material choices, product selections, colours, measurements, custom work proposals and execution details before approval.
Once a design, drawing, layout, measurement, material, colour, product or custom detail has been approved in writing, we will treat this as confirmed.
If the client later wants changes to an approved item, or if certain preferences were not communicated before approval, this will be considered additional work.
This is especially important for custom furniture, built in cabinets, finishes, material choices, colours, lighting positions, bathroom layouts, kitchen layouts and practical execution work.
5. Custom work and practical renovation services
When Boy or Studio Sernella carries out practical work, custom furniture, installation support, small renovations, repairs or finishing work, this will be based on the agreed scope and the information available at that moment.
The client must clearly communicate all wishes, practical requirements, aesthetic preferences and functional expectations before the work starts.
Custom work can have natural variations due to material, existing walls, old buildings, uneven floors, technical limitations or site conditions. We will always work with care, but minor variations can occur.
If the client requests changes after work has started, or after an item has been made, these changes will be charged separately.
6. Measurements, drawings and technical information
For design purposes, we may take our own measurements and prepare working notes, layout studies or design drawings.
These measurements and drawings are intended for design and communication purposes only. They are not official technical drawings, permit drawings, structural drawings or legal documents.
For official measured surveys, structural calculations, permit applications, cadastral checks, planning procedures, SCIA, CILA, building permissions or formal technical submissions, a qualified geometra, architect, engineer or other authorised tecnico must be appointed.
The client is responsible for appointing and paying these professionals unless agreed otherwise.
7. Geometra, permits and local regulations
Many renovation projects in Italy require input from a local geometra, architect, engineer or other qualified professional. This is especially relevant for structural changes, roof openings, attic conversions, balconies, windows, façade changes, bathrooms, kitchens, installations and changes to the layout.
Studio Sernella can advise on the process and work alongside the appointed professionals, but we are not responsible for permit approval, legal compliance, cadastral regularity, structural safety or formal technical submissions unless this has been explicitly agreed in writing with a qualified professional.
8. Contractors, suppliers and third parties
Studio Sernella may introduce, suggest or communicate with contractors, suppliers, artisans, geometra, engineers, installers, cleaners, gardeners or other third parties.
Unless agreed otherwise, these third parties work directly for the client. Their quotes, contracts, invoices, quality of work, planning, delays, defects, guarantees and mistakes remain their own responsibility.
Studio Sernella is not liable for delays, errors, price changes, defects, damages, non delivery or poor performance by third parties.
9. Payments
Payment terms will be stated in the proposal or invoice.
Unless agreed otherwise, smaller services and site visits are payable before the visit or before the start of work.
For larger design phases, a deposit may be required before the phase starts, with the remaining amount due before delivery of the final documents or at another agreed milestone.
Work may be paused if payments are late.
Invoices must be paid within the payment term stated on the invoice.
10. Travel, accommodation and expenses
Travel time, travel costs, accommodation, tolls, parking, meals during travel, courier costs, samples, print costs, purchasing costs and other project related expenses are not included unless clearly stated in the proposal.
For projects further away from our studio, we may suggest an overnight stay to make the visit more focused and effective.
11. Planning and delays
We will always try to work within the agreed planning, but timelines can be influenced by client feedback, missing information, third parties, contractor availability, supplier delays, permit procedures, site access, weather, technical issues or other circumstances outside our control.
Studio Sernella is not liable for delays caused by missing decisions, late payments, unavailable contractors, supplier issues, permit procedures or other external factors.
12. Liability
We carry out our work with care and professional attention. However, our liability is limited to direct damage caused by a clear and proven mistake by Studio Sernella.
We are not liable for indirect damage, loss of income, loss of rental income, loss of profit, emotional distress, delays, third party mistakes, construction defects, hidden defects, permit issues, supplier problems, contractor errors or damage caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by the client or third parties.
For practical work carried out by Boy or Studio Sernella, the client must report any visible damage, defect or concern as soon as possible and in any case within 48 hours after discovering it. We must always be given the opportunity to inspect and, where reasonable, correct the issue.
We are not liable for pre existing defects, hidden defects, fragile existing structures, old installations, uneven walls, old floors, moisture issues, weak substrates, unknown technical problems or damage caused by others before or after our work.
13. Intellectual property
All concepts, layouts, drawings, moodboards, documents, room schedules, sourcing lists, texts, visuals, photos and design ideas created by Studio Sernella remain the intellectual property of Studio Sernella.
The client receives the right to use the approved design documents for the agreed project after full payment has been received.
The client may not copy, resell, share, publish, reproduce or use our work for other properties or other projects without written permission.
14. Photography and portfolio use
Studio Sernella may ask to photograph or document the project for portfolio, website, social media or editorial use.
We will always respect privacy and will not publish private information, addresses or sensitive details without permission.
If the client does not want the project to be photographed or shared, this must be communicated in writing.
15. Cancellation and postponement
If a meeting, site visit, design phase or practical work is cancelled or postponed by the client, costs already made and time already reserved may be charged.
For site visits involving travel or accommodation, non refundable travel or accommodation costs will be charged to the client.
If the client cancels after work has already started, all work carried out up to that moment will be invoiced.
16. Communication
To avoid misunderstandings, important decisions must be confirmed in writing by email, WhatsApp or another written channel.
Verbal decisions made on site should be confirmed afterwards if they affect design, cost, planning, custom work, materials or execution.
Studio Sernella cannot be held responsible for preferences, changes or expectations that were not clearly communicated before approval or execution.
17. Project files and shared workspace
For larger projects, Studio Sernella may use Notion, Google Drive or another shared digital workspace to collect project information, documents, images, design notes, questionnaires, selections, drawings and relevant communication.
This helps us keep the process organised and gives the client a clear overview of the project.
The client is responsible for providing correct and complete information and for reviewing the shared documents where needed. Important decisions, approvals and changes should still be confirmed clearly in writing.
Studio Sernella is not responsible for missing, outdated or incorrect information if documents have not been shared with us, have been changed without notice or have not been reviewed by the client or relevant third parties.
18. Acceptance of these terms
By approving a proposal, paying an invoice, booking a service or asking Studio Sernella to start work, the client confirms acceptance of these Terms of Service.