Designer Renovations
Learn what to expect during the design process for a home or office renovation in NYC
This post will include a summary of standard interior design and architectural phases, and include:
Stay tuned for our post about managing construction.
As we welcome in the new year, like so many other city dwellers living in Manhattan or Brooklyn, our thoughts often turn to the interior design of our home. If one of your new year's resolutions is to start the interior design project you've been putting off, what better way to begin than to hire a Brooklyn wide range interior design studio that is also a New York City architectural firm?
Before you take the plunge, it's helpful to know what to expect before and during your NYC interior design project, so you can be as prepared as possible. Especially if you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn or the greater New York metropolitan area, you will probably have to get approval from your co-op or condo board as well as New York's Department of Buildings.
Schematic Design
After you have chosen an interior design firm and/or architect for your New York renovation project, the first step in the design process is an initial consultation, at which you will discuss your desires, goals, tastes, lifestyle and budget. This meeting is usually followed by a walk-through of your home. At this stage, it helps to have a good idea of the scope of your project.
The next step is the schematic design phase, which establishes the groundwork on which the project will be built and defines the entire design process. Space plans are developed and initial finish choices are made, which serve as the starting point for the final materials and furniture selection. The interior design studio or architecture firm then creates an initial plan with rough sketches and elevations, which it will review with you at the next meeting. Once you approve the schematic design, the project moves on to the next phase, design development.
Design Development and Coordination with Consultants
The next step is the design development process, during which the most important features of the interior space are decided. Collaboration among all team members, including you, the interior designer, architect and craftspeople results in the selection of most of the interior design elements, including materials, furnishing, and finishes.
During the design development phase, the schematic design becomes more detailed, with the floor plan showing the rooms to scale. A general budget review also occurs at this phase, as well as construction documentation, in which a set of plans and documents are produced for use in pricing and construction.
Once you have approved the design concept, the interior designer or architect prepares detailed working drawings and specifications. The contractor relies on these to establish the construction costs and build your dream space.
Bidding and Bid Levelling
After the construction documents are finalized, you are now ready to approach contractors to bid on the project. Your architecture or interior design service will be able to recommend trustworthy contractors whom they have successfully teamed up with in the past on other New York renovation projects.
Another good way of finding a reliable contractor is by word of mouth. Ask as many people as you can about their recommendations: friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors. Don't settle for the first contractor you contact. You should interview at least five different firms as well as check their references. Invitations to bid are then sent to the general contractors on your short list in what is known as the bidding process.
Bid leveling ensures that all the bidders present their bid packages in an "apples to apples" way, by taking their responses and making them easy for you to understand in a single document. Called a "levelling sheet," it displays all the responses side-by-side. This process ultimately allows you to compare the bids and determine which general contractor is best suited for your project.
Board Approval
If you live in a co-op or condo in NYC, you will need the approval of its board of directors. You will also have to abide by the building's rules and alteration agreement, which is the contractual agreement between you and the board.
Condo and co-op boards are notoriously picky about approving renovations, even minor ones. Even if you have hired a New York interior designer, under New York City law you may need to hire an architect as well, depending on the scope of the project. You also may need to file with and receive permits from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
This phase starts with notifying the board and building management that you intend to renovate your apartment. They will provide you with the necessary paperwork and guidelines. Your interior architecture or design firm will write a letter laying out the proposed work, and submit the necessary documents, including the filled-in building's alteration agreement, the design plan, and copies of the contractor's insurance certificates and licenses. Often the board will have its own architect review the proposal before issuing an approval, and you may need to meet with board members and the building manager to discuss the plans. You can expect the approval to take a month or more.
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 the City's regulations and construction codes.
A licensed interior designer or architect will obtain the necessary permits for construction work. However, permit from the DOB is not necessary for minor work, such as the installation of kitchen cabinets or replacing doors.
Construction Administration
The construction administration phase occurs after the design is complete and the drawings have been approved by the DOB. It 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. Your architect or designer reviews all finishes, prototypes and drawings to make sure the quality of the design direction is maintained.
During this stage, project management shifts from the architect to the contractor. However, site meetings with the entire team will occur to review the project's progress and resolve any issues and problems that may arise. Your interior designer will also manage the logistics of the project, including ordering, fabrication, shipping and delivery.