Apartment Reno

nyc1015,

If you didn't meet with them and have a serious consultation meeting, this has to be a guesstimate? Would you like some other designer referrals to compare too? stephen@capitalcraftsmen.com

so they want to charge you $15K just to design????? that sounds like a $20-30K job in total.

in reality, this should not cost more than 15k. but, if you are going to get furniture through a designer, you better buy some lube before you get started.

nyc,

For just designing that is very expensive. My client just hired a designer I work with for $7,500.00 and the apartment is 2400 sq ft. She is designing custom millshop pieces including kitchen cabinets) along with layout, all paint colors, lighting plan, etc.

She is also picking out all the furniture, I believe she is marking that up but giving her discount to them.

I would be happy to give you names of very good designers for less then you are paying.

You can email me at primerenovations@mac.com

to view their work: www.primerenovationsnyc.com

nyc1015,
That does seem like a lot, that's half the cost of the renovation.
If you need another designer recommended I'd be glad to introduce you to designer I know who is very reasonable and does also furniture manufacturing, this would decrease your cost a lot. If interested email me at arxconstruction@gmail.com.

That does sound pricey, again not sure whats included. Always best to get a few estimates and referrals. (real)
Not just websites and photographs.

Would be happy to provide an estimate.

Or answer any construction questions.
Vicky Caprini
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I would forgo the designer and first meet with contractors whom have a design sense / style. Try contacting Martin Barazorda from JC Martin Renovation (www.jcmartinrenovation.com), he mixes his design skills with his contracting know-how to create spectacular spaces. He's currently working on a SOHO loft for a friend. He's extremely sought after as he's affordable and extremely creative. You can contact him at martin@jcmartinrenovation.com or call him directly at 347-234-3597, tell him Adam recommended you. Best of luck.

When the OP says he wants somebody "to help with the whole project including purchasing new furniture", the scope is very unclear.

For the renovation he summarizes ("renovate the small bathroom and bedroom, new closets, paint, lighting, take down a fake wall and possibly brand new floors"), you may not have to pull city permits, but you're going to need to do a lot more than just stand around and watch it happen, particularly in a high-rise building.

In order to do it right, and get it past the managing agent, there will need to be design drawings submitted to building's managing agent for approval, possibly including detailed drawings of plumbing & electrical changes. There may also need to be drawings for any custom cabinetry or fittings to be submitted to the cabinetry shop. During the construction, somebody will have to coordinate and oversee the contractor's and trade's activities, perform site visits during demolition & reconstructions, run interference between the building super and the trades, and manage oversight of contractor's payment requests, etc., as well as deal with errors and last minute changes (let me tell you about the kitchen wall that wasn't square, and had inadequate support to hang cabinets from!).

All of that probably is about $15k. Unless one has substantial experience in city renovations, dealing with building management, supers, and the construction trades, you should pay for the expertise.