Virtually all city apartments, whether in brownstones, pre-war co-ops, or new condos have space limitations or unusual shapes. The locations of building wiring, plumbing, structural elements, and other fixed features often pose design challenges.

Creative and sophisticated thinking, combined with in-depth knowledge of city codes and building regulations, are essential to solving these challenges and designing to the maximum potential of your space.

The first decision you may have to make is whether to hire an architect. In general, if you plan to make an addition to the building, or alter or relocate structural elements such as beams or supporting walls, you will have to obtain architectural plans. These will then be filed with the Department of Buildings (DoB) to obtain a building permit. Major relocations of gas lines or building plumbing also require permits.

If the alteration is less severe and does not require architectural plans, a properly licensed contractor can do a limited filing for you. If you are simply remodeling without changing the locations of gas lines, plumbing, or any structural elements, then you won't need to file with the DoB.

Most apartment renovations do not require filing with the DoB. But in all cases, your contractor must provide you with insurance coverage, a written job description and contract, and any other documentation that your building may require.

A design/build firm such as ours has the skilled professionals to do everything you need in-house, from planning and design, construction, installation, to finishing of all details.

For your own enjoyment, and also for re-sale value, the most important room to remodel is your kitchen. More and more, the kitchen has become the focus for gatherings of friends and family. Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom involves more details and planning than any other room of your home. Our planning and design work is precise, with wall and cabinetry measurements to the quarter inch, and esthetically perfected in any style that you like. Smaller or unusually-shaped kitchens and baths, typical in New York City, may require customizations to make the best use of your available space. Large, luxury kitchens also require the most careful designing to make them as functional and esthetically rewarding as possible. A thorough knowledge of materials and their applications, coupled with skilled installation techniques, is essential to carry out a fine design and assure the durability that you deserve in your renovation.

It is our policy to provide every client with extensive guidance and design services. We prefer to spend as much time up front as needed to assure you the highest level results.

As a guide, here is a typical renovation description encompassing kitchen and bathroom remodeling. As you can see, there are many required steps, regardless of the size of your kitchen or bathroom.

Renovation Planning and Preparation

Plan and design the entire renovation with client

Determine a schedule for starting and completion, allowing sufficient time for delivery of custom products

Develop or obtain specifications for all significant installation items

Obtain the building’s Alteration Agreement to review and comply with rules

Provide insurances, licenses, plans, specifications, and other documentation as may be required by the co-op or condo building’s management

Verify that all items for installation have been ordered or are scheduled

Starting Work

Install dust barriers to protect furniture and other rooms; use Masonite for floor protection, and seal off the work areas with plastic partitions

Perform all demolition, including cutting though existing walls for layout changes

Remove debris and dispose off-premises

Inspect for any leaks or damage behind walls, tiled areas, floors, etc.

Frame the new walls, partitions, closets, etc.

Perform plumbing rough-in work: may include hot and cold water lines, drains, replacement of shut-off valves, gas meter relocation, and plumbing terminations for gas and water lines. In the bathroom, install the shower body and bath tub

Perform electrical rough-in work: may include dedicated power for new appliances (your microwave, dish washer, electric oven, washer/dryer, or air conditioner all require dedicated lines), lighting inside and under cabinetry, new outlets, light fixtures and switches, wiring for audio/video, computer and communications, etc.

Complete building walls; tape seams and plaster to make joints seamless

Re-level floors, walls, and ceilings for cabinetry, vanities, tiling, wood floor installation etc.

Skim-coat walls and ceiling as needed, sand surfaces to a smooth finish

Prime walls and ceiling using oil-based or acrylic-based primer

Install new flooring

Install new baseboard moldings

Complete tiling

Complete doorway framing and interior window frames

Install new doors, door moldings and hardware

Install crown-molding, millwork, trim work

Install cabinetry and millwork per plan including paneling, kitchen cabinets and vanities, entertainment centers, work stations, built-ins in other rooms, and other furniture

Install appliances

Make templates for fabrication of counter and vanity tops with matching backsplashes

Install sinks, faucets, dishwasher, and ice-maker

Install all light fixtures

Complete all water, gas, and electric connections including outlets, TV, computer, and other

Floor protection and complete painting

Apply faux finish, wallpaper, or other special finishes

Walk-though with client for final inspection; create a punch-list of touch-up details

Finish punch-list items

Keep the following points in mind during any renovation:

• The final finish items will affect the way the rough plumbing and electrical work must be done

• Walls cannot be closed until the inspection is performed

• Projects cannot be rushed and come out correctly

• Changes, deletions, additions, client approval and any missing specifications or items will cause delays in the job completion date

• Contractors do not look forward to changes and additions; they have schedules and other projects they want to move forward on

• Job site meetings usually produce some modifications or changes

• There will usually be some minor changes that may result in added costs

After your kitchen, the second most significant room to remodel is your bathroom. The process is fairly similar to a kitchen renovation except, instead of appliances, more plumbing is required. As with the kitchen, you will need to select the items to be installed before the work can begin. For all your selections, we make your shopping easy, informative, and complete.

Don't overlook the added value of custom built-ins in other rooms of your home. Think for a moment about some exquisite homes you may have seen. The traditional ones have wainscot paneling, fine wood bookcases and furniture, coffered ceilings, and other built-ins that make these homes so elegant and valuable.

Contemporary homes are best enhanced by a careful selection of materials, stains, paint colors, and finishes to create richness with minimal decor.

Whether your taste is traditional, contemporary, or in-between, value always shows in the quality and finishes of the materials you choose. To assure your complete satisfaction, we do all the specifying in-house and we carry though on the fabrication, delivery, and final details of installation on all the custom products you would like.