Blog
Renovation planning notes for New York homeowners
Short, practical articles on preparing for a remodel: what to photograph, how to record selections, which decisions come first. The planning guides remain the reference library; this page links to both.
Category
Kitchens
- Kitchens Cabinet refacing or replacement: what should you compare? Refacing changes what you see; replacement changes the boxes and often the layout. The useful question is which parts of your existing cabinets are worth keeping.
- Kitchens Planning a kitchen without a large island An island is one way to add counter, seating and storage. In many house kitchens, a different piece can do the same jobs while leaving room to walk.
From the planning guides
- Kitchen remodel cost in New York City: what moves the number
- How to plan a realistic kitchen renovation timeline
- Kitchen layout and storage: decide these before choosing cabinets
- Kitchen ventilation: the questions to settle before choosing a hood
- Accessible kitchen planning: voluntary choices, and which rules actually apply
Category
Bathrooms
Category
Whole-home planning
- Whole-home planning How to prepare a useful renovation photo brief A short, organized set of photos and captions explains how you use a room and what you want answered. It starts a conversation; it is not a survey or a condition report.
- Whole-home planning Renovating a two-family home: separate the two project briefs Two units mean two sets of rooms, decisions and occupants. Writing them down separately, with a third list for what the units share, keeps the scope readable for everyone who prices or plans it.
Category
Materials & decisions
- Materials & decisions A simple selection log for your renovation "White tile" is a preference, not a selection. A short log records the exact item, how settled each choice is and what still needs an answer.
- Materials & decisions Planning floor transitions across several rooms Where new floors meet old ones, stairs and the bathroom door, the height of every layer adds up. Plan those meeting points before anything is ordered.
From the planning guides
Category
New York local planning
From the planning guides