The interior design industry has become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek homes to reflect their personality and lifestyle. Los Angeles attracts interior designers not only because of its luxury, but also because of wealthy clients who can afford extraordinary designs. Some experts argue that it is easier to work with celebrities as they are often willing to express themselves and experiment in the most creative ways. However, the presence of wealthy clients in Los Angeles attracts not only professional specialists in the field of design but also scammers who take advantage of the trust and wallets of their clients.
We have all heard of renovation nightmares from friends, families, and even in the news. There are so many schemes and tactics that people use to gain more money for the minimum amount of work that sometimes it is impossible to identify scammers at first sight. The majority of complaints in the industry concern shoddy workmanship or contractors who didn’t finish tasks on time. As reported recently in one media outlet, many cases of highly unprofessional behavior involve Meredith Kleinman, an LA-based interior designer. Her company, Meredith Kleinman Design, has been accused of shady practices that include legal threats from her side, money extortion, manipulations, and unfinished projects.
Meredith`s portfolio is quite modest, though it includes work for a few celebrities. This is probably the main reason why people start working with her, entrusting her with renovation of their homes. However, according to her former clients, Meredith tends to use money intended for project to purchasing luxury items for herself. As it is stated in the latest media report, she spent the funds that was supposed to cover the expenses of the furniture for the project, on a boat for her personal use.
Furthermore, Meredith Kleinman allegedly manipulates her clients by demanding excessive payments for each small upgrade or change to the project. When clients refused to pay additional fees Meredith demanded, she stopped working on their projects and threatened them with legal action. According to one of her former clients, she once sent thugs to his home to extort payment for Meredith Kleinman Design before the project was finished.
Meredith Kleinman Design claims to use the best quality materials and reliable contractors. But when it comes to the actual work, Meredith was reported to use second-hand materials and hire the cheapest renovation contractors. This is one of the most popular tricks in renovation business. It involves convincing homeowners that the cheapest materials and items are premium or custom-made, justifying the high cost. Clients, unaware of the actual market value, trust the contractors’ recommendations and pay much more than actual cost. As a result, they end up with subpar renovations, leading to potential future repairs and financial loss. This unethical behavior highlights the importance of homeowners researching the market before approving the materials.
Based on the experience of Meredith`s clients, working with Meredith Kleinman Design might lead to not only to money loss but also to significant stress. In order to avoid such unprofessional and unethical interior designers like Meredith, it is essential to conduct thorough research before hiring someone. Always ask for a detailed quote that highlights the work, the cost and the payment schedule. We hope the case of Meredith Kleinman raises awareness and helps people better understand how to choose the right interior design company.
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