Home Renovations in NYC
What to expect & how to prepare
New York City Residential Interior Design and Renovations
In this article, we will cover
Like many other people, you are probably spending more time at home. You want an environment that is both functional and beautiful, where you can feel nurtured, productive, and peaceful. A home refresh, renovation, or remodel to accommodate your changing needs may be in your plans for the coming year.
If you are considering a home renovation project in the New York City area, it is wise to consider hiring an interior designer and/or architect in addition to a contractor. A professional designer will save you time and money, will have useful contacts and sources, and will act as your advocate.
Here are some important things to know before you undertake your home renovation project in New York City:
Determine the Scope of Your Project
Make sure you know the scope of the work you want done at the outset, which will help you avoid "scope creep," as well as determine what kind of interior design professional to hire. It's far more expensive and time consuming to change your mind or add on once the project has begun. Determining the scope of your interior design project in advance will also make it easier to get accurate estimates.
Design Services
If you decide to hire an interior designer, you will need to choose between an interior designer and an interior decorator. If your project involves changes to a floor plan or gut renovation, the better choice is an interior designer who has experience working directly with architects and contractors. If the changes you are looking for in your living space are strictly decorative rather than functional, such as choosing a color scheme, furniture, finishes, accessories or lighting, a decorator is usually the only professional you will need.
Renovating and Remodeling
An interior design firm usually offers "full service" interior design, meaning it is involved in the entire design process, from initial concept, through construction, ordering and installation, to the final accessorizing and styling stage. With a focus on function as well as on style, the design firm offers a comprehensive range of technical solutions and services, including project management, measuring and evaluating a site, material and furnishings selections, AutoCAD drafting, and interior design plans for items such as tiles, flooring, custom furniture, and window treatments.
An interior design firm can help you with a single room, such as creating a home office, or converting an extra room into a personal gym, or guide you through a full-scale project.
Millwork
Many luxury interior design firms offer millwork, or woodwork that is customized for a specific space, including cabinets, storage, shelving, closets, media centers, and window seats. Millwork is ideal for accommodating unusually-shaped spaces such as in bathrooms or kitchens, or any area that requires a custom-made solution. It is also an easy way to add style to an otherwise dull, functional space.
What to Expect During the Design and Renovation Process
Schematic Design
Schematic design is one of the first phases of an interior design or architecture project. Space plans and furniture layout are developed, followed up by rough sketches and elevations, and preliminary furniture and finishes choices. After the initial plan is created, it is presented to you for review.
Design Development and Coordination with Consultants
The next step is the design development process, during which the most important features of the design are decided. Collaboration between all team members, including you, the interior designer and architect results in selecting much of the interior design elements, including materials, finishes and appliances.
Bidding and Bid Levelling
In this stage, invitations to bid are sent to general contractors. Bid leveling is the process of making sure that all the bidders on the project present their bid packages, then taking their responses and making them easy for you to understand. This process ultimately allows you to compare the bids and determine which general contractor is best suited for the project.
Board Approvals
Condo and co-op boards are notoriously picky about approving renovations, even minor ones. The designer or architect will initiate the approval process by writing a letter laying out the proposed work. Documents that are submitted include the filled-in building's alteration agreement, the design plans and copies of the contractor's insurance certificates and licenses.
Regulatory Considerations
New York City's Department of Buildings (DOB) oversees the construction and renovation of all buildings located within its five boroughs. Its purpose is to ensure the safety of the construction by enforcing New York's regulations and construction codes. A licensed NYC interior designer and architect will obtain the necessary permits for construction work. However, a permit from the DOB is not necessary for minor work, such as the installation of kitchen cabinets.
Construction Administration
Construction administration consists of the administrative tasks performed by the interior designer or architect to oversee the construction phase of the project, ensuring the timely execution of each stage of construction. It occurs after the design is complete and the drawings have been approved by the DOB. During this stage, the work shifts from the architect to the contractor, though some New York interior designers offer to oversee the entire process for you.
Design Considerations
Aesthetics
Many of the best interior designers begin the project with an initial meeting followed by a walk-through of your home, so he or she may get a sense of your tastes, style, and the look you want, as well as your lifestyle, desires and goals. You can prepare for this meeting by bringing images you like from stunning projects and interior spaces in architecture or fine arts magazines (Architectural Digest or Elle Décor are great sources of inspiration), from Instagram and Pinterest, or from a showroom. Whether you are looking for more innovative design or contemporary design, or else to create a traditional home, it is always useful to find images that will help you communicate with the interior designer you choose.
Budget
Establishing a budget at the beginning of your project can help avoid cost overruns down the line. One technique is to determine the value of your home, then use the figure of 8% to 10% of its value for renovation expenses. You should factor in the expense of hiring a contractor, which can be as much as 10% to 20% of the overall cost of the project. Don't forget to plan to go over budget, even as much as 20%. On the other hand, hiring the right designer can help offset costs even when creating luxurious spaces. Extraordinary design can be reached at any budget, and New York's best interior designers can make your house beautiful yet also affordable.
Timeline
Be realistic about the timeline of your project, and plan for it, whether you will be staying in your home during renovations or will have to move out. The construction timeline is established by the general contractor, and will be broken down into stages that are completed by specific dates. Add some wiggle room because the project may take longer than planned, especially if your co-op or condo has restrictions on when work can be done.
Architectural Constraints
Any limitations on the work that can be done must be considered. Design or architecture constraints are factors that limit the range of possible design solutions. Some may be obvious from the beginning of the project, while others may become apparent only as the job progresses. The constraints may be inherent, or caused by the clients or third parties, such as the DOB or building rules.
Project Typologies
Each project is unique, depending on its characteristics, style, type and size. A project's typology determines its scope, budget and timeframe as well as architectural and design considerations. In New York City, there are various types of homes, although most people in New York live in rental units, condominiums or co-operatives. Here are some examples of different types of projects:
Pre-war apartment
Post-war apartment
Townhouse
Micro-apartment
Standalone Room Renovations
Many home renovation and hospitality projects in New York City involve single rooms. Among the most common are the following:
Kitchen
Bathroom
Baby/Kids' Room
There is general agreement that the kitchen and bathroom are the most challenging, and expensive, rooms in a home to renovate. This is because there are so many pieces-- plumbing, electric, cabinetry -- that need to work together, which requires hiring and coordinating many different contractors and other professionals (though your designer may oversee all this work).
If you are considering creating a nursery, make sure it is designed to accommodate the changing needs of your child over the next decade and a half. The best interior designers can help you create a space that is long-lasting as well as beautiful.
We’re a New York City design studio specializing in residential and commercial interior renovations. If you’d like to connect with us, please book a free consultation here.