Renovations - Help! Don't even know where to begin

I'd start with an architect rather than a contractor, even though that's the more expensive route.

Maybe Matt Bremer? http://www.houzz.com/photos/9309/Architecture-In-Formation---Matthew-Bremer-Architect-contemporary-kitchen-other-metro

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

The best advice I can give you is do as much as you can afford before you move into the place.
Trying to renovate an apartment while you live in it is awful.
You would need an architect or engineer if you are going to alter the staircase.
As long as you are not moving walls around in the bathrooms or kitchen then you could just use a general contractor for that.
As far as design goes honestly the easiest thing to do is get a few design magazines or even the latest Ikea catalogue. Find a design you like, show it to your contractor and say " this is what I want and this is how much money I want to spend. What is it going to take to make that happen?"

nycmusiclover,

I would be happy to help you. You can call me at 646-436-3942. I work with a lot of first time home buyers and will give you advice on anything you need

You can view my work at www.primerenovationsnyc.com

Jeff

Music: Take some time and live in the space. After six months you'll have an idea of what you want. Also go on houzz so you can identify the design style that you like. You'll just be wasting your own time and money if you can't even communicate what you like.

Good luck!

Totally agree with Ottawanyc, live in for some months in order to know what you really need and want, will save you a lot.

houzz.com is pretty amazing.

We've owned a lot of properties over the years that we've renovated. We're just going to closing on a "fixer upper" and had a contractor and architect give their opinions on the work. We had so many ideas from both of them, that we decided to do nothing right now except refinish the beautiful floors. That's the only thing they both agreed should be done right away. The kitchen and baths are straight out of the 1950's, but everything is serviceable. We're going to live in the place for a while and learn it's quirks before we plan the renovations. Then we'll do one project, kitchen or bath, to minimize the stress.

I believe the one downside is if you do one project at a time it will actually cost more money then doing everything at once. Just the setting up, demo, removing of debris. It is just more cost effective to do as much as you can when you can

The first thing you should do is get a copy of your co-op's or condo's alteration agreement. Read the entire thing - carefully. Be prepared for all the information you will have to provide - clearance from the building appointed engineer, the types of drawings/information that must be submitted, what is then required to be included in the package to submit to the building management and board.

I would use an architect - particularly where kitchens and bathrooms are being gut renovated - and particularly if any of the plumbing or gas stacks are being reconfigured or moved. When it comes to the contractor, my first question is to the building management or board - "What contractors have worked here recently that the building board/management was happy with who have done a larger projects such as this?" Your chosen architect will also have suggestions of people they have worked with on past projects whom they have had good results with. In either/both cases, I would ask to do site visits of recently completed projects by all the contractors to look at the quality of finish and attention to detail.

As to an Architect, I can recommend without hesitation David Ling on 21st Street - www.davidlingarchitect.com

Gonna follow the advice and move in and then decide what I want. I want to renovate my upstairs bathroom immediately though, as I am clear what I want and think I'll be happier in the apt with that done. If anyone knows of a good contractor that will do a bathroom, please recommend. thanks!

I'm thinking that you're getting into an apartment you really can't afford.

Matt, you say that to everyone, and there's no evidence for that opinion here.

Well we know how Matt makes his money: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/35978-question-about-bank-statements-requirement

Nice one Huntersburg.