Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

  • Start by booking your free discovery call here.

  • We are currently only travelling within Canada. Travel fees will apply. For those outside of Canada, the Store Design Mini service is set up to be a virtual service, so we’ll be able to work together that way!

  • We typically serve boutique shops like specialty retail, floral shops, and lifestyle boutiques. If we don’t think we’re the best fit for you, we’ll be transparent and point you in the right direction.

  • A 50% deposit is required in order to begin your project.

  • Yes, when the deposit is made, the remaining amount of the fee is billed bi-weekly throughout the duration of the design process. Payment schedule provided upon signing.

  • Pricing shown does not include HST however will be added to your invoice.

  • We completely understand the importance of finalizing your lease negotiations with your landlord. If you are currently in the process of waiting for those negotiations to be completed, we offer a phased design approach for your project. To maintain momentum, we suggest proceeding with the concept development phase to establish a clear vision for your store. This way, when you receive approval from your landlord, you can swiftly move forward with designing the space based on its spatial conditions.

  • The investment for working with Nola Designs exclusively covers design fees and does not include the expenses for physical items (such as furniture and fixtures) or labour costs. For a comprehensive understanding of the costs involved in a design project, please download our retail investment guide here.

  • Yes! We typically require a 50% deposit to start your project, with the remainder billed bi-weekly for the duration of your project (which would typically span 2-10 weeks depending on the service).

  • We don't have one. All product is sourced from local retailers or online sources.

  • The designer discount can be passed on with retailers who offer it.

  • We completely understand how crucial budget concerns are for small businesses. To make things easier, we created an Investment Guide that breaks down build-out costs separately from design fees. This will help you create a budget that aligns perfectly with your financial plans. Our goal is to be as helpful as possible, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the investment needed to bring your store vision to life.

  • We get the significance of ROI. Our design solutions are crafted strategically to boost aesthetics and, more importantly, drive increased foot traffic, boost sales, and elevate overall business perception. We invest time in analyzing trends, aligning with your target customer's design preferences, considering your competitors, and understanding your unique brand personality. This thorough approach helps us create a design solution that we believe will genuinely connect with your customers and attract more foot traffic to your business.

Project FAQs

  • After design work is complete you want to hiring a contractor/ handyman to do the install or assembly of any furniture or finishes.

  • Design Timelines are from Project Kick-off to the final step in the design implementation phase.

    Design Mini will take 4 weeks.

    Store Design Essentials will take 8 weeks.

    Full Store design 11 weeks.

    Build and Install Timelines : budget about 4-6 weeks post-design.

  • Great! They can be incorporated into your new store’s layout. Depending on the look, I may suggest refinishing to align with your brand aesthetic.

  • Yes! Of course.

  • Totally fine! It's important we review it together to ensure the size and aesthetic matches the design intent.

  • NOLA Designs collaborates with contractors and vendors hired by the client. While we don’t provide contractor services, we work seamlessly with independent architects, engineers, and design professionals essential to the process.

    We’re happy to recommend trusted consultants and vendors upon request, but it’s the client’s responsibility to retain their services. Our team will support you in assembling the right team for your custom project.

  • During the project initiation phase, we will talk at our Kick-Off meeting. You can expect to follow up emails to clarify any questions that may arise after our call. These questions usually assist with the development of your store design as we move into the Development phase. We will exchange emails daily if more information is needed from you.

    Concept development phase, we will meet shortly after your kick-off meeting to review preliminary designs to ensure we are moving in the right design direction.

    The Design Implementation phase will be quiet, as we work away at sourcing furniture and fixtures and drawings (if required) for your store. You will hear from us when the furniture list and drawings (if required are complete).

    Project Support Phase & Visual merchandising execution - we will be in communication with you daily as we coordinate with you, vendors and/or contractors to get your project mobilized and built. We will be exchanging emails as needed until the store is complete and ready to open.

  • Each service level has a certain amount of rounds of revisions in order to get the store design to where you want it.

  • Yes! The Store Design Mini service was primarily created as virtual service. I can work virtually for my other services as well, however any store visits (as typically offered in these services) will have to be done virtually.

  • Yes! It is standard to get all NOLA Designs projects to be photographed. We do cost sharing with our clients so they have rights to the photos as well in order to share to their social media channels and other marketing channels. For GTA projects we work with our trusted and amazingly talented interior photographer.

  • We exclusively offer design services. However, we are here to support you 100% throughout the ordering, installation, and build-out process.

  • We understand that you may be nervous about costs. We must create a tailor-made experience that aligns with your needs, so sharing your budget with us is key. We're keen to work within your budget! Our team will explore design options that match your financial parameters. We’re on a mission to find fixtures, furniture, materials, and other retail elements that align with your preferred budget.

  • Absolutely! We love diving into a brand! At the project kickoff, we soak up as much brand info as possible to truly get what makes your brand unique. Our design goal is to not only capture but boost your brand identity, creating a space that resonates with both your brand and your customers. This part excites us the most!

  • We're all about minimizing disruptions! To kick off the design process, we'll need to gather measurements and photos of your space. No worries, we can work within your preferred hours— we usually recommend before opening or during slower periods of the day. Now, for the build-out phase, if you'd rather keep your store open, we recommend a phased plan. This ensures your business stays up and running during execution, creating a seamless experience for both you and your customers.

  • We are committed to realistic timelines. Our team will provide a detailed project schedule, and we'll work diligently to meet timelines while maintaining the quality of the design.

  • Your vision is our priority. Through detailed discussions and collaborative sessions, we'll ensure a deep understanding of your business goals, so we can translate them into a cohesive and impactful store design. We make a dedicated effort to incorporate your evolving business needs throughout the design process.

    Regular check-ins and design reviews are built into our process, keeping us on track and allowing adjustments as needed to ensure the desired outcome. Remember, we don't move forward on any design without your full approval. Your satisfaction is our top priority!

  • Practicality and durability are our top priorities. We carefully choose materials and design elements with longevity in mind, giving preference to low-maintenance options to ensure the sustainability of the design. It's important to note that the selected design elements are mindful of the budget. We make every effort to align durability with your budget, ensuring a perfect balance between longevity and cost-effectiveness.

  • Our project schedule is crafted to align with your opening deadlines, ensuring that our design timelines accommodate the necessary buildout and execution time to meet your specified opening date.