Customer Agreement.

We’re excited to style your space for the season! Because we work with natural materials and every home is different, this agreement helps make sure we’re all on the same page before installation day.

How you sign online: when you reserve on decorbyarete.com, ticking the agreement box and typing your full name is your signature. The name, address, phone, email, package and installation window you enter on the reservation form are the customer information for this agreement. We keep a record of the version you agreed to and when.

1. Your design

Decor by Areté provides custom seasonal styling based on the package or services purchased.

Photos shown on our website, social media, portfolio, or marketing materials are examples of our work and inspiration, not exact representations of your final installation.

Every installation is individually styled based on your home, porch or entryway, selected package, seasonal availability, and the natural variation of the materials we use.

Unless specific design elements have been agreed upon in writing, final placement and styling are at the discretion of Decor by Areté.

2. Natural materials & substitutions

Many of our installations include natural and perishable materials such as pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, hay or straw, greenery, branches, florals, plants, and other seasonal elements.

Because these are natural products, variations in color, shape, size, texture, and appearance are expected.

Specific varieties or colors cannot always be guaranteed. Decor by Areté may substitute materials with items of similar style, quality, and value when necessary due to seasonal or supplier availability.

These natural variations are part of what makes each installation unique.

3. Perishable items

Pumpkins, gourds, greenery, plants, and other organic materials naturally change and deteriorate over time.

Their lifespan can be affected by temperature, direct sunlight, rain, humidity, freezing temperatures, wildlife, insects, and other environmental conditions outside our control.

Decor by Areté cannot guarantee the lifespan of individual natural materials and is not responsible for replacing items that deteriorate or are damaged after installation due to weather, animals, pests, customer handling, or other conditions outside our control.

4. Weather

Outdoor installations are exposed to the elements.

Decor by Areté is not responsible for damage, movement, deterioration, or loss caused by wind, storms, rain, extreme heat or cold, wildlife, or other environmental conditions.

For the safety of our team and your property, installation or removal may be rescheduled due to severe weather or unsafe working conditions.

5. Property surfaces

Natural materials can occasionally release moisture, oils, sap, pigments, dirt, or organic matter.

While we take reasonable care when placing materials, Decor by Areté cannot guarantee that pumpkins, plants, greenery, hay, containers, or other décor will not discolor or stain certain surfaces.

This may include wood, painted surfaces, concrete, brick, stone, composite decking, rugs, or other porous materials.

By approving installation, you acknowledge this possibility.

6. Access to your property

Customers do not need to be home unless otherwise arranged.

Please make sure our team can safely access the installation area during your scheduled installation window.

Walkways, stairs, porches, and installation areas should be reasonably clear of obstacles.

Please secure pets and let us know in advance about locked gates, gate codes, irrigation systems, fragile surfaces, construction, or anything else that may affect safe access.

7. Existing property conditions

Decor by Areté will take reasonable care while working on your property.

We are not responsible for damage resulting from pre-existing conditions, unstable railings or steps, deteriorated surfaces, loose masonry, damaged decking, hidden defects, or other conditions that are not reasonably apparent before installation.

If we believe an area is unsafe or unsuitable for installation, we may modify the design or decline to place décor in that location.

8. After installation

Once your installation is complete, responsibility for the décor transfers to the customer unless an item has specifically been identified as rental property.

Decor by Areté is not responsible for damage or injury resulting from décor that has been moved, rearranged, altered, or improperly handled after installation.

If something needs adjusting, please contact us rather than attempting to move large or heavy components yourself.

9. Removal & disposal

Seasonal removal and disposal are included only when specifically listed as part of your purchased package or added to your order.

If removal is included, Decor by Areté will provide an approximate removal window. Exact dates may vary based on weather, scheduling, and seasonal demand.

Customers are responsible for removal and disposal of décor when removal service has not been purchased.

10. Payment, cancellations & refunds

A $100 deposit is due at the time of booking to submit your project and reserve your requested installation window.

Once your project has been reviewed and accepted by Decor by Areté, the remaining balance is due in full. Your installation is not considered confirmed until full payment has been received.

If Decor by Areté is unable to accept your project, your $100 deposit will be refunded in full.

Once your project has been accepted, the $100 deposit becomes non-refundable.

Once materials have been purchased or sourced specifically for your installation, payments for those materials are non-refundable.

Completed installations are not refundable based on personal preference, natural variation, weather-related changes, or the normal deterioration of perishable materials.

If Decor by Areté must cancel an accepted installation and cannot reasonably reschedule it, any payment for services or materials not yet provided will be refunded.

11. Photography & marketing

Decor by Areté may photograph and/or record completed installations for use in our portfolio, website, social media, advertising, promotional materials, and other business marketing.

We respect the privacy of our customers and will not intentionally publish identifying information. House numbers, vehicle license plates, people, or other clearly identifying details will be removed, obscured, cropped out, or otherwise excluded before images are used publicly.

By signing this agreement, you grant Decor by Areté permission to photograph the completed installation and use those images for the purposes described above.

12. Acknowledgment

By signing below, I confirm that I have reviewed and agree to the terms above. I understand that seasonal decorating involves natural materials whose appearance and lifespan will vary and that my finished installation may differ from inspiration or portfolio photographs.

I authorize Decor by Areté to enter the property listed above as reasonably necessary to complete the scheduled installation and, if purchased, removal services.

Good to know

Package and add-on prices on the site are per porch and before NC sales tax; sales tax is added to your invoice. Delivery is free in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough; Durham, roughly inside I-40 and 147, is +$42; farther addresses get a travel quote before anything is booked. End-of-season removal is $59 for Doorstep, $119 for Threshold and Porch, and $179 for Harvest.

Questions

Call or text 919-636-9899, email Jen@floatarete.com, or stop by the studio at 213 E. Braxton Foushee St, Carrboro.