Call the bar association and see if they have a lawyer referral service. I would talk to a lawyer and see what the best course of action is. Please learn your lesson from this (I have made plenty of mistakes in my life). Even if you get a contract in the future, do not sign it until you have a laywer look at it. A contract protects you. You can also call the attorney general's office where you live, or the consumer protection bureau for advice. Document everything by date, and take pictures. Keep all your paperwork from this transaction in order.

Do the oddly laid out kitchen and bath already exist? Is that what she was designing: changes to the existing?

What is "not feasible" about it? Is it literally unbuildable as designed, is it something that will not work within the context of a condominium, or are the plans too expensive for your budget?

What were the parameters and scope of work agreed to for the project?

Sorry that you are in this bind. I don't know that you have much recourse if there was no contract. Even if there was a contract, it would have to specifically state that the work needed to be approved by a contractor. The designer put in their hours for which you paid them.

We just hired a designer that our contractor recommended and they are working with each other step by step. I interviewed too many designers and architects who had their head in the clouds and could come up with visions that were totally unrealistic.

Do you mind sharing how many hours were invested and what the rate was that she charged you? Have you yet shared with her that the designs are not feasible? Have you attempted to ask for your money back?

Not sure how that will work. She did work for you. There was no contract.

With this new bit of information about the space, why not have her redesign with the new parameters? Did you approach and say that contractors have refused her designs so what is the next step?

Ugh so sorry this happened. I am curious as to what the details of her plan was that the contractors are refusing to do. Was it something that should have been obvious to her or did a contractor need to advise up front?

Good luck!

If you have not already contacted her abou this it could be good to play dumb. Ask if she and the contractor could meet in the space that he mentioned some issues being a challenge but you are sure if she explains them it could be ironed out. Then let her realize first hand and in front of you the mistakes/assumptions she made about the space. She will be a bit more on the spot and perhaps you could have her do revisions at a reduced price? Though, I can understand wanting to be done with her too.

First, a professional and experienced designer will ALWAYS have a contract and will not begin any work until it is signed. This tells me you are working with an amateur who is likely not qualified to offer space planning or kitchen/bath design.

Second, regardless of this, take what your contractors are saying with a grain of salt. It could be that what she designed is more work than what they want to do. Contractors dismissing designers is a natural occurrence, even when the designer is a pro.

Third, no designer whether experienced or not can see inside walls. Sometimes we have to change direction when obstructions are discovered or our ideas price higher than the client wants to invest. Kitchen design requires a collaboration between design, builder and client. I agree with the suggestion to have the designer meet on site with the contractor. It holds BOTH of them accountable.

Can you get your money back? I would think it's unlikely without a contract, but you can always ask. I'm sure there was some value in your consultation as it helped you to better focus your priorities for the space.

In the future, invest in a qualified pro. They may charge more, but you will not waste time and money while your designer learns how to do their job.

I'm working with a designer now and she is having the contractor do probes of the space to see what is behind certain walls and other not visible details. I signed a contract with the contractor where we put a deposit down that covers him coming in to do investigation and probes during this phase. The irritating part is he keeps saying, we'll see once construction has started. Nope. I want it down now. I know I won't be able to eliminate every surprise but I do want to reduce the number that happen along the way.

You’re not getting any money back.

It's kind of a gray situation. She did the work and her time is certainly worth something. I would suggest having a discussion with her and ask if, given the circumstances, she could refund a portion of what you paid her.

You have purchased a condo that hasn't been built...when we start the construction. (What bank are you using???? )

Yet, you hired a designer to do work with "drawings", but now "a couple of contractor(s)" are "dismissing" her "drawings"? And you want money back from her? Seriously?

I believe she means when the remodeling commences by "when the building starts ".

IMO she worked the hours and she gets paid for those hours no refnd at all. As for unfeasible thta is something that is beyond the scope of thiis question I have long ago stopped usung cotractors who can't move into the 21st century . You did not have a contract so you pay as you go and you did and now move on. Julianna is totally correct .

Lots of questions to OP with no replies, still there?

Do you have a contract with performance/satisfaction assurance? Unfortunately, the disagreement could appear to be legally subjective and vague. Direct and emotionally neutral communication can go a long way, did you simply inform the designer that you aren't happy, and you'd like to negotiate at least some reimbursement? If not, you need to accept the loss and move on. I can tell you from experience, it 's not worth the time or cost to pursue legal action for compensation unless it's a LOT of money. Cost of an interior designer wouldn't even be close to worth it. Attorneys charge something like $1,500 retainer just to read your file/ send a letter + $200/hr with no guarantee. I've pursued crooked, incompetent, lazy people who can be proven wrong- for tens of thousands of dollars.... even if found guilty can just skip on the tab. Courts aren't typically collection services, and if someone isn't moral enough to do the right thing from the start, they probably don't care about how they appear having been found guilty and not payed. Sorry for your difficulty and may you find better.

Your money is as gone as the issue you need to let GO.

Your amateur didn't bring a contract.

Your amateur didn't bring a contractor to the site, and discuss a single "what if we can't" possibility. You didn't seek one to meet simultaneously with this designer... assuming also that contractor would meet condo approval.

A condo brings many issues to any 'Plan"

Rarely will it be the wide open possibilities of a suburban home, a free standing town house.

Plumbing, electrical are at the core of this. As are permission slips from the condo board etc.

Even the selection of a contractor usually has to be board approved for insurance purposes, and the simple fact that your remodel affects others living there. Both is comfort, and with regards to safety.

In short? Your money is gone.