1. Definitions

In these Terms of Service, the following terms shall carry the meanings assigned below unless the context otherwise requires:

• "The Finesse Design" / "we" / "us" / "our" — The interior design studio operating under the name The Finesse Design, headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
• "Client" / "you" / "your" — Any individual, firm, company, or entity that visits our website, submits an enquiry, enters into a project agreement, or engages our services in any capacity.
• "Services" — All interior design services offered by The Finesse Design, including but not limited to home interior design, modular kitchen design, living room design, bedroom interiors, office interiors, design consultation, 3D visualisation, material sourcing, and project execution management.
• "Project Agreement" — The formal written agreement, letter of engagement, or work order signed between The Finesse Design and the Client that defines the scope, deliverables, payment terms, and timeline for a specific project.
• "Design Deliverables" — All creative outputs produced by The Finesse Design during the course of a project, including concept designs, mood boards, floor plans, 3D renders, material schedules, BOQs (Bill of Quantities), working drawings, and any other design documentation.
• "Website" — The official website of The Finesse Design accessible at www.thefinesse.in and any subdomains thereof.
• "Advance" — The upfront payment made by the Client upon signing the Project Agreement, as a prerequisite to commencement of design work.
• "Milestone Payment" — A payment instalment due at a specific stage of the project as defined in the Project Agreement.

2. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service constitute a legally binding agreement under the Indian Contract Act, 1872. You accept these Terms by:

• Accessing or browsing our Website
• Submitting an enquiry or contact form on our Website
• Contacting us via WhatsApp, email, or phone to enquire about or engage our services
• Signing or digitally accepting a Project Agreement or letter of engagement
• Making any payment (advance or otherwise) to The Finesse Design
• Attending an in-person or virtual consultation arranged by us

If you are entering into these Terms on behalf of a company, organisation, or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms. In that case, "you" and "your" shall refer to that entity.

3. Our Services

The Finesse Design provides professional interior design and project management services for residential and commercial spaces. Our Services include, but are not limited to:

• Home Interior Design — End-to-end interior design for apartments, independent houses, villas, and studio units
• Modular Kitchen Design — Layout planning, material selection, and execution of modular kitchen units
• Living Room Design — Space planning, furniture selection, lighting design, and décor styling
• Bedroom Interiors — Wardrobe design, furniture layouts, and complete bedroom transformation
• Office Interiors — Functional and aesthetic design for offices, coworking spaces, and commercial units
• Design Consultation — Advisory sessions for clients seeking design guidance without full project execution
• 3D Visualisation and Renders — Photorealistic 3D renders of proposed design concepts
• Material and Vendor Coordination — Sourcing of materials, finishes, and furniture from trusted vendors
• Project Execution Management — On-site supervision and coordination of civil, carpentry, electrical, and other works

The specific scope of services applicable to your project will be defined in your individual Project Agreement. Services offered on our Website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a binding offer until a Project Agreement is executed and the advance payment is received.

4. Enquiry and Initial Consultation

When you submit an enquiry through our Website or contact us through any channel, you are initiating a pre-contractual conversation — not a binding service engagement. Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee the availability of our services, a specific project timeline, or any particular pricing.

4.1 Information You Provide

When submitting an enquiry, you agree to provide accurate and complete information, including your name, contact details, property type, project location, carpet area, rooms to design, budget range, expected possession date, purpose of design, and project description. Providing inaccurate information may affect the quality of our proposals and may result in revised quotations once accurate details are known.

4.2 No Obligation at Enquiry Stage

Neither the submission of an enquiry nor an initial consultation (whether in-person, virtual, or telephonic) creates a binding contract between you and The Finesse Design. A binding agreement comes into existence only upon execution of a formal Project Agreement and receipt of the advance payment.

4.3 Consultation Fees

Initial consultations may be offered complimentarily or at a nominal fee as communicated to you at the time of scheduling. Where a consultation fee is charged, it may be adjustable against your project value if you proceed to sign a Project Agreement within [30] days of the consultation. The terms of any consultation fee will be explicitly communicated before the consultation takes place.

5. Project Agreement and Scope of Work

5.1 The Project Agreement

All confirmed projects will be governed by a written Project Agreement signed by both parties. The Project Agreement will specify the scope of work, design deliverables, project timeline, payment milestones, and any special conditions agreed upon. In the event of any conflict between these Terms of Service and the Project Agreement, the Project Agreement shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

5.2 Scope Changes

Any changes to the agreed scope of work — including addition of rooms, change of design direction, upgrade of materials, or extension of project area — must be agreed upon in writing by both parties before implementation. Scope changes may result in revised timelines and additional costs, which will be communicated to you and confirmed in a written variation order before work proceeds. We are not obligated to implement scope changes that are requested verbally without written confirmation.

5.3 Design Revisions

The Project Agreement will specify the number of design revision rounds included in the agreed fee. Additional revision rounds beyond the agreed number may be charged at our prevailing hourly or per-revision rate, which will be communicated to you in advance. Fundamental changes to the design brief after the design has been presented and approved may be treated as a scope change and priced accordingly.

5.4 Client Approvals

Design presentations, material selections, and procurement decisions will require your written or digital approval (via email or WhatsApp) before we proceed to the next stage. Approvals given are considered final and binding. We will not be liable for any dissatisfaction arising from approved decisions that are subsequently reversed by the Client.

6. Payment Terms and Milestone Structure

Our services are structured around a milestone-based payment schedule, which ensures transparency and aligns payments to project progress. The standard payment structure is as follows:

6.1 Payment Obligations

• All payments are due within 7 days of the milestone being triggered, unless otherwise specified in your Project Agreement
• We reserve the right to pause all design and execution work if a milestone payment is overdue by more than 7 days, without any liability for resulting delays
• A late payment charge of 1.5% per month (or part thereof) may be applied to overdue amounts at our discretion
• Work will resume only upon receipt of the overdue payment in full, including any applicable late charges
• All prices quoted are exclusive of GST unless explicitly stated otherwise. GST will be charged at the applicable rate as per Indian tax law

6.2 Mode of Payment

Payments may be made via bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS), UPI, or any payment gateway link shared by us. Receipts and GST invoices will be issued upon receipt of each payment. Please ensure payments are made only to the official bank account details provided in your Project Agreement or invoice. We will never request payment via unofficial channels.

6.3 Material and Vendor Costs

Where The Finesse Design procures materials, furniture, fittings, or engages vendors on your behalf, the cost of such procurement will be billed to you separately at cost (plus any applicable coordination or sourcing fee as agreed). We will seek your approval before committing to any significant procurement expenditure on your behalf.

7. Cancellation and Refund Policy

We understand that circumstances change. Our cancellation and refund policy is designed to be fair to both parties, accounting for the work already invested and costs committed at each stage of the project.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing — via email to info@thefinessedesign.com or WhatsApp — and will be effective from the date we acknowledge receipt in writing. Verbal cancellations are not accepted.

7.1 Cancellation by The Finesse Design

We reserve the right to cancel a project and terminate the Project Agreement in the following circumstances:

• Non-payment of any milestone beyond 21 days of its due date
• Persistent obstruction, abuse, or non-cooperation by the Client that makes project execution impossible
• Discovery of facts that make the project legally, structurally, or ethically impossible to execute
• Force majeure circumstances that make continued performance impractical

In the event of cancellation by us without cause attributable to you, we will refund a fair and proportionate amount reflecting work not yet performed, calculated at our sole reasonable discretion.

8. Design Ownership and Copyright

The creative work produced by The Finesse Design is protected under the Copyright Act, 1957 (India). The following ownership framework governs all Design Deliverables created for your project:

8.1 Client-Supplied Materials

Where you provide us with photographs, floor plans, reference images, or other materials for use in your project, you confirm that you own the rights to those materials or have permission to share them with us. You grant us a limited licence to use those materials solely for the purpose of your project.

9. Client Obligations

A successful project requires active participation from both parties. By engaging our services, you agree to the following obligations:

• Accurate Information: Provide accurate and complete information about your property, including correct measurements, possession status, building regulations, structural constraints, and society by-laws. We will not be liable for errors arising from inaccurate information provided by you.
• Site Access: Provide timely access to the property for site visits, measurements, design verification, and execution supervision as required. Delays in granting access will directly affect project timelines.
• Timely Approvals: Respond to design presentations, material selections, and approval requests within the timeframe specified in the Project Agreement (typically 5–7 business days). Delayed approvals may push project timelines.
• Single Point of Contact: Designate a primary decision-maker for the project. Where multiple stakeholders are involved (e.g., both spouses or business partners), ensure that a consolidated, unified decision is communicated to us. Conflicting instructions from multiple stakeholders may cause delays for which we will not be liable.
• Compliance with Regulations: Ensure that any proposed interior modifications comply with local building regulations, society rules, or applicable law. We will flag known conflicts, but the ultimate responsibility for regulatory compliance rests with you.
• Timely Payments: Make milestone payments as they fall due per the Project Agreement, without requiring reminders from us.
• Safety on Site: Ensure the safety and security of our team, vendors, and contractors during site visits and execution. We reserve the right to halt work if site conditions present an unreasonable safety risk.

10. Vendors, Contractors and Subcontractors

The Finesse Design works with a network of trusted vendors, civil contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and material suppliers to execute your project. The following terms govern such arrangements:

• We may engage subcontractors or specialist vendors on your behalf as part of our project management role. We will exercise reasonable care in their selection but are not liable for independent acts, omissions, or defects attributable solely to third-party contractors or manufacturers.
• Where vendor contracts or purchase orders are placed on your behalf, you are the ultimate beneficiary and may have direct recourse to the vendor for product warranties and defects.
• We will not receive undisclosed commissions or kickbacks from vendors. If we receive a trade discount, it will either be passed on to you or disclosed.
• You may not directly engage our vendors or contractors for work related to your project outside of our project scope without our prior written consent during the project and for 12 months after project completion.
• Material costs, vendor charges, and contractor fees are billed to you at cost plus any applicable sourcing/management fee as specified in the Project Agreement.

11. Timelines and Delays

We are committed to delivering your project within the timeline agreed in the Project Agreement. However, interior design and execution projects are subject to variables outside our direct control. The following provisions apply:

11.1 Project Timeline

The estimated project timeline will be set out in the Project Agreement. Timelines are estimates based on the information available at the time of agreement. They are not guaranteed fixed dates unless expressly confirmed as firm deadlines in writing.

11.2 Delays Caused by the Client

We will not be liable for any delays caused by: late payment of milestones; delayed approvals or decisions; failure to provide site access; late or incorrect information; or changes to the project scope requested by you. Such delays may result in a revised project timeline and, where additional costs are incurred, additional charges.

11.3 Delays Caused by Third Parties

Delays caused by third-party vendors, material suppliers, manufacturers, or contractors — including shipping delays, manufacturing defects requiring replacement, or contractor unavailability — are outside our direct control. We will communicate such delays promptly and work to mitigate their impact, but we cannot be held liable for project delay compensation in such cases.

11.4 Delay Communication

If we anticipate a delay of more than 10 business days for any reason, we will notify you in writing with a revised timeline estimate and, where applicable, our remediation plan.

12. Warranties and Defect Liability

12.1 Our Workmanship Warranty

We stand behind the quality of our design and execution services. Subject to the terms below, we offer a defect liability period of [90 days / 6 months — specify in Project Agreement] from the date of project handover for defects in workmanship directly attributable to our execution team or subcontractors engaged by us.

12.2 Exclusions from Warranty

Our workmanship warranty does not cover:

• Defects in materials, products, or fittings manufactured by third parties (these are governed by the respective manufacturer's warranty)
• Damage caused by misuse, negligence, improper maintenance, or alterations made after handover
• Normal wear and tear
• Structural issues arising from the building's pre-existing condition
• Issues arising from your failure to follow care and maintenance instructions provided at handover
• Defects in work done by contractors or vendors you independently engaged

12.3 Product and Material Warranties

Warranties for materials, furniture, fittings, and equipment are as provided by the respective manufacturers or suppliers. We will assist you in making warranty claims with third-party suppliers where feasible, but we do not independently guarantee third-party products beyond what the manufacturer provides.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Indian law, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:

• Our total aggregate liability to you arising out of or in connection with any project shall not exceed the total design fees actually paid by you to us under the relevant Project Agreement, excluding material and vendor costs.
• We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including loss of profit, loss of use, loss of rental income, or cost of alternative accommodation — arising from delays, defects, or service failures, whether foreseeable or not.
• We shall not be liable for dissatisfaction with design outcomes where you have given written approval to the designs, materials, or specifications in question.
• We shall not be liable for any loss arising from your failure to fulfil your obligations under Section 9 (Client Obligations) of these Terms.
• Nothing in these Terms shall limit our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, where such limitation would be unlawful.

14. Website Use and Intellectual Property

14.1 Website Content Ownership

All content on the Website — including text, photographs, design concepts, portfolio images, graphics, logos, videos, and the overall look and feel — is the exclusive intellectual property of The Finesse Design and is protected under the Copyright Act, 1957 and other applicable Indian and international intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, republish, download (other than for personal reference), modify, or commercially exploit any Website content without our prior written permission.

14.2 Permitted Use

You may access and use our Website for personal, non-commercial purposes — including browsing our portfolio, understanding our services, and submitting an enquiry. Any other use requires our written consent.

14.3 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use the Website in any way that violates any applicable law or regulation
• Copy, scrape, or systematically extract content from our Website
• Introduce viruses, malware, or any other harmful code to the Website
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems, servers, or databases
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the Website
• Post or transmit any false, misleading, or defamatory content via our Website or social media channels

14.4 Website Accuracy

While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information on our Website, it is provided for general informational purposes only. Portfolio images, pricing indications, and timeline references on the Website are illustrative and may not reflect current availability, pricing, or timelines for your specific project. Always confirm current details with our team before making decisions.

15. Confidentiality

Both parties acknowledge that in the course of the project, each may be exposed to confidential information belonging to the other — including but not limited to design concepts, business plans, financial information, property details, vendor pricing, and client identities.

• Both parties agree to keep such information confidential and not to disclose it to any third party without the prior written consent of the other party, except as required by law or necessary to perform the services (e.g., sharing your project location with a vendor for site visit purposes).
• This confidentiality obligation shall survive the termination or completion of the Project Agreement for a period of 3 years.
• Confidentiality does not prevent us from disclosing anonymised or aggregated project information for business development purposes, or from using project photographs with your consent as described in Section 16.

16. Testimonials and Portfolio Use

16.1 Portfolio Photography

Upon project completion, we may request your permission to photograph the completed space for inclusion in our portfolio, website, Instagram profile, and other marketing materials. This is entirely voluntary. Your decision to grant or withhold consent will not affect the quality of services provided to you, the terms of your Project Agreement, or our willingness to take on future work from you.

16.2 Consent Process

Portfolio consent will be sought in writing (via email or a consent form). If you agree, you may specify any conditions — for example, that we do not disclose your name or exact address. We will honour all conditions you attach to your consent.

16.3 Withdrawal of Consent

You may withdraw your portfolio consent at any time by writing to info@thefinessedesign.com. Upon receiving a withdrawal request, we will remove the relevant images from our active marketing channels within a reasonable period (typically 15 business days). Please note that images already published in physical print materials or shared with third parties prior to the withdrawal request cannot be recalled.

16.4 Testimonials

If you provide a testimonial or review, we may use it on our Website or promotional materials with your consent. We will attribute it using your first name and city only (e.g., "Priya M., Kothrud, Pune") unless you explicitly consent to fuller attribution. You may request removal of your testimonial at any time.

17. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations under the Project Agreement where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God — floods, earthquakes, fire, cyclones, or other natural disasters
• Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies declared by government authorities
• War, civil unrest, terrorism, or government-imposed lockdowns or restrictions
• Nation-wide or city-wide supply chain disruptions affecting materials or labour
• Electricity or internet outages of extended duration affecting project operations
• Actions or inactions of government authorities that prevent performance

The party affected by a force majeure event must notify the other party in writing as soon as reasonably practicable. The affected party will use reasonable efforts to resume performance as soon as the force majeure event ceases. If a force majeure event continues for more than 60 consecutive days, either party may terminate the Project Agreement by written notice, and payments will be settled equitably for work completed to that point.

18. Termination

18.1 Termination by Either Party

Either party may terminate the Project Agreement by giving 15 days' written notice to the other party, subject to the cancellation and refund provisions of Section 7 and the settlement of all outstanding payments.

18.2 Termination for Cause by The Finesse Design

We may terminate the Project Agreement with immediate effect (without the 15-day notice period) upon written notice if:

• Any milestone payment is outstanding for more than 21 days after its due date
• You engage in abusive, threatening, or harassing behaviour toward our team, vendors, or contractors
• You materially breach any provision of these Terms or the Project Agreement and fail to remedy such breach within 10 days of being notified
• You use our Design Deliverables without authorisation in violation of Section 8

18.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination: all unpaid milestone amounts for work completed to the date of termination become immediately due; any uncommitted advance amounts will be refunded per Section 7; all Design Deliverables remain the property of The Finesse Design until full settlement; and vendor commitments made on your behalf remain your financial responsibility.

19. Dispute Resolution

We value our client relationships and aim to resolve any disagreement amicably. In the event of a dispute, the following process shall apply:

1. Direct Negotiation (Step 1): Either party may raise a dispute in writing. Both parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute through good-faith direct negotiation within 15 days of the written notice.
2. Mediation (Step 2): If direct negotiation fails, either party may refer the dispute to a mutually agreed-upon mediator. Mediation shall take place in Pune, Maharashtra, and the costs shall be shared equally between the parties. The parties agree to participate in good faith for at least one mediation session before escalating further.
3. Legal Proceedings (Step 3): If mediation does not resolve the dispute within 30 days of the mediation being initiated, either party may pursue legal remedies through the competent courts of Pune, Maharashtra, as described in Section 20.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service and any Project Agreement entered into between you and The Finesse Design shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, including:

• The Indian Contract Act, 1872
• The Copyright Act, 1957
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019
• The Information Technology Act, 2000
• All other applicable laws and regulations of the Republic of India

Subject to Section 19 (Dispute Resolution), any legal action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or any Project Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in the competent courts located in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Both parties hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

21. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices, applicable law, or services offered. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document and publish the revised Terms on our Website.

For ongoing projects governed by a signed Project Agreement, the version of these Terms in effect at the time the Project Agreement was signed shall continue to govern that project, unless you and we agree in writing to apply updated Terms.

Your continued use of our Website or engagement of our services after the posting of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of those revised Terms for new projects.

22. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, wish to exercise any right described herein, or need to notify us of a dispute or complaint, please contact us using the details below: