NYC Apartment Renovations: Insights from an Architect
Architect Interior Design Renovation NYC
When you're ready to renovate, selecting the right architect is one of your first and most crucial steps. Opt for licensed and insured professionals with a track record of success in New York City. Experience working with NYC Condo boards and Co-Op boards and Landmarks is invaluable.
We are a full-service architecture and interior design firm. We are proud to assist our clients from the beginning to the end of their projects. Navigating the complexities of apartment renovations, especially for first-timers, is our specialty. Recognising every architecture firm offers a different breadth of services is key to choosing the right partner.
What Do Residential Architects Include in Their Design Fees?
It's important to understand the scope of architecture and interior services. When you meet with an architect, don't forget to ask what the fee excludes. Architects' services and payment structures run the gamut. Some prefer hourly rates, others percentage of construction costs, and some insist on flat fees. Each of those structures have cost implications but more important it may mean it does not include everything you need to complete your renovation, so ensure you understand their scope of work.
A residential architect may include:
Existing Conditions Assessment (via laser measure or laser scanning)
Architecture & Interior Design Options (Schematic Design, Design Development)
Construction Documentation
Design Build
Interior Design Services & Interior Decorating
3D Renderings
Meetings with the Reviewing Architect
Engineering Consultants
Architectural Plans
Condo / Co-op Board and Building Management Review
Alteration Agreement Review
Pre-Design
Expediting
Bidding / Interviewing Contractors
Value Engineering
Product Sourcing and Procurement
Construction Site Visits & Administration
Sign-offs, Certificate of Occupancy, Letters of Completion
Assessing the Existing Conditions of the Apartment
We often start by carefully examining your apartment. Completing a Lidar scan of your space, whether it's a partial renovation or full gut renovation. This provides us with a computerised replica of every window, door, opening and wall and ceiling.
We want to understand the work required, the design objectives to be completed and compare them with project goals and budget. This phase involves reading your alteration agreement, reviewing the property's work with the DOB, discussions with both building management and our clients to fully understand needs and expectations.
Apartment Renovation Architectural Design Options
Design is iterative and collaborative. At Havard Cooper Architect, we try different designs and make changes to get the perfect vision for your space. Communication is key, and we encourage constructive feedback to ensure alignment with your vision.
Permitting Filing, Also Known as Expediting
Navigating the Department of Buildings (DOB) filings is a critical step in the renovation process. While we do not do this ourselves, we have worked with many expeditors that manage the paperwork and filing to get your project off the page and under construction. This service ensures that your renovation complies with all city regulations, a vital step for a seamless renovation journey. There are many city regulations aside from building code, there's landmarks, DOB, HPD, DEP and a number of other bureaucratic hoops to jump through.
Project Management: Ensuring Seamless Execution
Effective project management is at the heart of any successful renovation. Our team oversees every detail, from initial design to final inspections, we incorporate key project management principles to keep your renovation on schedule and within budget. This ensures every aspect of your project, including DOB filings and interior renovations, is handled with the utmost care and professionalism by an experienced professional who has honed their skills and managed hurdles in the past.
Interior Design
Our full-service approach also reaches to interior renovations, where we manage everything from layout changes to the selection of bathroom tiles, and design of the panel moulding. Our attention to detail and commitment to quality have earned us the reputation of an award-winning projects.
3D Renderings and Engineering Consultants
We leverage the latest technology from the moment we're hired. That Lidar scanning from the Existing Conditions Survey is combined with 3D renderings, to bring your vision to life, providing a realistic preview of the final design. Our network of engineering consultants ensures precision in meeting all structural, mechanical, and lighting design needs.
Choosing a Contractor for Your Apartment Renovation
Selecting the right contractor is paramount. Our experience has shown a direct correlation between the quality of service and the contractor's fee. We emphasize the importance of a harmonious relationship between the contractor and architect for a successful renovation project. Though the contract is between you and your chosen contractor, we're here to protect you and verify what was agreed to is what is being built, keeping quality and integrity in mind. What's the point in designing on renovating if we're willing to leave the final product to up chance.
Product Sourcing and Procurement
Our services extend to the tedious task of sourcing and procuring and following up on the right vendors, materials and products, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision for the space.
Conclusion
Renovating your NYC apartment is a significant undertaking, requiring the expertise of a skilled architecture firm. We bring award-winning design and comprehensive project management to every renovation, ensuring your vision is realised with precision and care. With a focus on interior renovations and seamless DOB filings, we are your partner in transforming your space into something truly extraordinary.
