Kitchem Renovation Plans

I am a designer and will say a lot of people get away without an architect or designer, depending on the scope of work. If you do need to hire someone I would be happy to discuss. If you are doing a full gut (moving gas lines, etc) you will need to file with the city, which we can also help with. We can provide full design services, permit drawings, or just Co-op approval drawings.

Gary Eisner
geisner@builtinstudio.com
www.builtinstudio.com

How large is the kitchen?

Your contractor can usually arrange to have architectural plans drawn up and filed with the city if needed. They'll typically have one or more go-to people who give them good pricing for small jobs.

That said, if you're doing major work, an architect can come in very handy for (1) ideas, (2) referrals to lower-priced contractors and/or sources for materials, and (3) management oversight of the contractor. Of the 13% we're paying our architect, I'd estimate that we have recouped at least 10% in cost savings versus what we'd have been able to do on our own.

Thanks for your responses. The kitchen is rather small (9 x 8) and we plan to keep the same general footprint. We'll get new cabinets, appliances, etc. but no moving gas lines or plumbing. That said, can most contractors develop plans to share with the co-op board for approval?

I am thinking about doing kitchen and bathroom. Both quite small as its 600sqf studio.

Went to some places like NYKB, Broadway Kitchen and Bath, etc. They don't really seem to care as my place is too small.

Any architects or designer who specializes in tiny place?

I wouldn't say we necessarily "specialize" in tiny spaces but we have done plenty of projects of all different sizes and would be more than happy to discuss.

Are you sure your co-op requires drawings if you are not changing the footprint of the kitchen? You should be able to just have whomever you buy the kitchen cabinets from help you with the layout.

My understanding is that even if you are not changing the floor plan you still need to provide floorplan stating that you are not changing it as well as details of what you are changing.

Check with your building's mgmt company on whether you would need architectural plans for this job. It sounds like you would not--provided you are not erecting/demoing any walls, changing/expanding the footprint, pulling up the floor (which would need to be re-waterproofed), moving lines (remember that if you are moving an ice-making fridge that will count as a 'wet' element and will not be permitted in a 'dry' area), etc.

Installing new cabinets while keeping sink and appliances in their current locations should not require anything more than your contractor's or fabricator's plans.

By the way, if you are looking for a designer, I would not hesitate to recommend meeting with Gary Eisner, who has posted above. We met with him for a job that centered primarily around the kitchen but then found out our building requires architectural plans for the type of work we had in mind and so we hired an architect for the job instead. We were very impressed with Gary and would definitely consider working with him on future projects.

Bramstar,

I have worked a lot with Gary as well. I do believe he is able to provide architectural drawings as well as any other paperwork required to secure a permit.

Please shop around!
Do not pay a gazillion dollars for a 9x8 kitchen! Ask people in the building who did previous jobs, talk to the super. Posting your questions on streeteasy will invite the greedy vultures, who are out for your money and nothing else. If you live on CPW then excusez moi! but if you one of the mortals, get someone that has worked in the same building. Save your money for retirement or college funds!

Do you have a list of appliances that you are looking for? Im more than happy to give you a quote so that you can budget out your project.

Levi Capland
SoHo Appliances
347-276-6528