Apartment Renovation Process

HOW WE GUIDE YOUR TRANSFORMATION

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

Your Vision

  • A pre-war Manhattan apartment transformed to maximize natural light, capture views, and feel more spacious
  • Thoughtfully designed storage that integrates seamlessly into your daily life
  • A home where you thrive—spaces that restore you and inspire how you live
  • A memorable and positive experience

Your Experience

  • Confidence in every decision with clear guidance on timeline, costs, and budget optimization
  • Milestone updates that keep you informed about what has been accomplished and the next steps
  • Transparent monthly billing so you can plan with certainty
  • Support tailored to you — we communicate in ways that match how you work best

Our Approach

We transform pre-war Manhattan apartments by optimizing three elements: natural light, views, and your daily experience.

Your renovation begins with listening:

  • We discover what matters most to you and how you want to live
  • Together, we explore design options that align with your goals and budget
  • Every design choice serves your experience — from how light moves through rooms to how spaces flow for both entertaining and privacy

What you get: A home optimized for your life, where every element works together to enhance how you live.

Our Expertise

Pre-war Manhattan specialists: We understand both the historical context of these buildings and the technical realities of transforming them. From ornamental plaster details to plumbing limitations, from co-op board expectations to DOB filing requirements, we navigate the complete landscape of pre-war renovation with confidence built over nearly three decades.

Communication-centered partnership: This is a relationship, not just a transaction. We are here when questions arise. We ask what would make your renovation experience delightful and act on your feedback throughout the project. Your comfort with the process matters as much as the final design.

Value that lasts: Our measure of success is not just completion—it is the joy you experience in your home years later. Every budget decision focuses on creating spaces that enhance your daily life, not just impressive features. We guide your investment toward what will matter most to your long-term satisfaction.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT MANHATTAN HOME RENOVATIONS

Your Questions

New York City requires a licensed architect for wall modifications, door relocations, plumbing fixture changes, appliance relocations, and exterior alterations. 

Manhattan co-op and condo buildings require that plans for these alterations be filed with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

If your project involves reconfiguring your apartment layout, you need an architect. 

Not sure if your project requires an architect? Schedule a free consultation

We specialize in complete home transformations in Manhattan: projects that reconfigure your home by strategically reimagining layouts to maximize light and views, and create spaces optimized for how you live. We focus construction investment where it creates the most value, which may mean targeted interventions rather than gutting everything.

Our ideal projects involve:

  • Complete transformations requiring DOB filings and board approvals
  • Homeowners ready for a comprehensive design and construction process

We may not be the right fit if you are planning cosmetic updates or single-room projects.

Finding the right architect matters. We encourage you to explore your options:

We encourage you to research and find the best architect for your needs. Read our articles:

Manhattan apartment transformation budgets vary based on scope and strategy.
Complete Manhattan apartment renovations typically start at $800-$1,000/sf. Our projects typically range from $800,000 to $2 million, including architectural fees, construction costs, and permits.

Real project example: A 1,400-square-foot apartment transformed for $800,000. We reconfigured the kitchen and bathrooms, removed strategic walls to improve light and flow, and created integrated storage solutions—while the remaining spaces received paint, refinished floors, and updated lighting. The result: a complete transformation without gutting the entire apartment.

Your investment depends on which areas require intervention, the scope of infrastructure work (windows, HVAC, plumbing, electrical), material and fixture selections, and your building’s specific requirements.

Our approach helps you understand where construction dollars create the most value for how you want to live in your home.
Need guidance on budget planning? Read → How To Manage Your Renovation Budget

For spaces over 2,500 SF, plan for about 24 months from start to finish. We will discuss your specific timeline during our call. Our Manhattan apartment transformations typically take 18-24 months from first meeting to move-in—and this timeline is intentional.

Why 18-24 months? We prioritize your understanding over speed. Our process ensures you comprehend what you are purchasing, the implications of each decision, and the tradeoffs of options you are not selecting. This investment in clarity prevents expensive changes during construction and ensures your budget focuses on what matters most to you.

Timeline phases:

  • Design and planning (3-6 months): Exploring options, understanding tradeoffs, making informed selections
  • Approvals: 2-4 months for DOB filings, co-op or condo board reviews, and permits
  • Construction: 6-12 months depending on scope

Additional factors: Complexity, landmarks approvals if applicable, board responsiveness, and contractor availability.

Our Questions

Property ownership is required for official filings, but we can start before you close.

NYC Department of Buildings and co-op or condo board applications require owner signatures, so we cannot submit formal filings until you own the property. However, if you are under contract and confident in your purchase, we can begin design work to accelerate your timeline.

Already own your apartment? We can begin immediately.Considering a purchase? We provide walkthroughs for serious buyers to evaluate renovation potential before you commit. Book a consultation to tell us about your property → Schedule a free consultation

You do not need perfect clarity—we help you define these as we work together. However, having preliminary thoughts on your goals, priorities, and budget range helps us start productively.

Questions to consider:

  • What problems are you trying to solve in your current space?
  • How do you want your daily life to feel in your renovated home?
  • What budget range are you comfortable exploring?

Not sure where to start? These resources can help:

  • Discover Your Budget Personality → Understand how you make financial decisions
  • How to Manage Your Renovation Budget → Framework for planning and tracking
  • Find Your Secret Budget Number → Identify your true comfort level

Ready to discuss your project? Schedule a free consultation

We have prepared resources to help you:

Having floor plans and photos before our virtual meeting 20-minute call allows us to provide more valuable guidance from the start. They are required for the next steps if we decide to work together.

Schedule your 20-minute call

Common scenarios:

  • Renovating before move-in: Design and construction happen while you live elsewhere
  • Living in the apartment during design: We complete design while you occupy the space, then you move out for construction
  • Phased construction: Sometimes possible, depending on scope

Our timeline reflects thoughtful decision-making that prevents costly changes during construction. Rushing typically costs more and delivers less satisfying results.

Tell us about your situation during your consultation: When do you need to move in? Are you currently living in the apartment? Do you have a lease ending or a sale contingency? Understanding your constraints helps us assess whether your timing aligns with your project scope. Book your 20-minute call