My husband and I are purchasing a wooden row house in Park Slope and are interested in completely reconfiguring the top floor, including creating 2 bathrooms from one (i.e. moving plumbing).
We have a limited budget and are unsure if we’d like to hire an architect to oversee the entire project, or simply to draw the plans. All advice welcome.


Comments

  1. Please, please (please!) don’t even consider trying to do this on your own. Do it right from the start, it will save you endless headaches, fines and stop-work orders down the line. You need to assemble a qualified team, starting with either a kitchen and bath designer or an architect who will refer and oversee the contractor. Hire a licensed GC, have professional plans drawn, file with the proper agencies. This will be a 3-4 month project with major systems and construction being done, the amount of things that can go wrong by trying to wing it can and does fill many, many books. You don’t have to hire me, but for your own protection, and good basic info about the construction process, what it costs, how long it takes, etc, please see:

    http://121studio.com/default.asp?navID=7

  2. As a designer and renovator of residential interiors, I hire the architect. I think I give better service to my clients this way. They have legal job, and are assured by a professional that the design is sound, yet their is no misunderstanding between designer and contractor. I am on the job site everyday. Jobs like yours may not get many visits from an architect.