New to Renovation “ yikes “

Hi all. I’m new to the renovation process. I’m about to renovate a 4 story brownstone in Brooklyn. It has a lot of the wonderful and historical features on the interior that I definitely plan to keep ( like the pocket doors, fireplaces, encased mirror , clawfoot tub to name a few). I’m turning it a duplex over duplex for me and a family member. I really don’t know where to start. I know I have to hire a GC and I’ve had one walkthrough already but I wanted to find someone that had experience with brownstones if that makes sense. The brownstone needs a new kitchen , an added kitchen , bathroom , bathroom extension , stairs repaired , wood stripping of fireplace , new floors on at lest two floors. And the list goes on and on. The house has great bones. Can anyone give me any recoupment good contractors? Should I go with a company that has an architect , interior designer and GC ( like a full service company .. ??‍♀️).it will be greatly appreciated for some recommendations. Oh and did I mention that the family members living with me wants the basement done ??‍♀️ Oh and they also don’t want a cooling system because it not going to look good. But we have these grates in the walls in every room I have no idea what they are. The long and shorts of it is Help!!!

uxvdslpmecrt

in Renovation 5 years and 2 months ago

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BKALLDAY | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Hire an architect who has the ability to bring in a great engineer and GC. Have your money ready and remember who’s house it is. Your family member should not have a say so in how you (lay out a hella amount of money) set up the home for the long haul. If you have grates in each room more than likely the house had a forced heat system and if it’s in good shape then you may be able to put in a full HVAC in the house but also know that it can be a mouse highway. The family member who is moving in; why are they getting a duplex? Why not give them one floor and put in another unit for a renter. This way (speaking from experience) if the family dynamic sours, you got the monthly rent coming in from a tenant. If anyone want space in your basement, charge them for it. Storage is expensive so if you decide to redo the basement have a fencing company put up 2 designated areas big enough to hold a couple of bikes, and some Rubbermaid containers and boxes. Be sure everyone gets renters insurance as well. Good luck to you. What fun it will be to see your home evolve.

Guest User | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Hi Raina,
We are Brooklyn (Sunset Park) based company that specializes in Brownstone Reno’s. We do have in-house architect, as well as our own millwork/woodworking shop. That’s how we can offer very competitive pricing and outstanding quality.

Would love to talk to you at your earliest convenience. Initial consultation and estimate is always free.
Best
Vlad
@VladFineCraft
@geowoodshop
347.424.3553

uchenna

in Renovation 5 years and 2 months ago

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Hi Raina,

I am an Architect and Designer based in Boerum Hill and am glad to walk you through my process over the phone in more detail. To start I generally work with the client to develop a budget based on their scope of work and the typical costs per square foot in the area. Later, we will bid the project out to 3 General Contractors so that you have a competitive bid. Feel free to contact me about your project.

I am also available for hourly consultation to visit the site and kick start the project.

Margaret P. Horne, RA
mph@polyarch.studio
www.polyarch.studio

Guest User | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Call Millad at 718-669-8305. Surely their company help. visit: www.ctgcontracting.com.

Guest User | 5 years and 2 months ago

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We have those grates in our house as well. It was explained to me that they are meant for passively moving air around the home: ours connect to a duct that runs from top to bottom. There are no moving parts, save for the louvers on the grates. My daughter tells me they are also convenient for listening to our conversations from another floor. Ha!

cate | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Based on the scope of work, you will need an architect and they will need to file at least an Alt-2. Hopefully it’s already a two-family house so you don’t need to change the occupancy. Figure out your budget, reserve at least 20 percent in case of surprises. You can get a wood stripper in to strip the mantel now — make sure they are experienced and cover adjacent surfaces. Ask friends for recommendations for architects and start interviewing them. Make sure they understand you want to save the original details. (A tip: Don’t replace plaster with sheetrock — except in case of patching a small hole.) The architect will develop drawings, file permits, and bid the job out to three or more contractors. Finding the right architect who is affordable and has a lot of experience with the specific things you are doing (e.g. interior renovation, wet rooms, old house in Brooklyn, filing with DOB, etc.) is extremely important.

zlapqtorekgljwxy | 5 years and 2 months ago

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based on your description i think you first need to find an architect. all kinds of drawings will need to be filed for this project and you’re not going to find just a GC who can do that. you should be interviewing architects, not GCs.

resident2 | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Did you get a home inspection done before you bought the house? What did it show that needs to be done? Plumbing, Wiring, Heating all in good shape? Windows, insulation etc?
before you spend money on new kitchens etc make sure that all the foundation work (above noted) is all in good shape or you will constantly be redoing things.
Work out what your budget is: how much do you realistically have available? How much is your family member paying in rent, investing etc. If the answer is nothing, then they do not have a say in what does or does not get done. You have to do what is best for the house.
Spend some time really working out what you want, once you start speaking to contractors there will be some encouraging you to do more than is needed or wanted. On the opposite end you will meet some that do not want to waste their time until you know what you want.
If you do not know what you want, go on every Open House Tour, they generally start in the Spring, talk to t he owners. See what others have done, what they wished they had done etc.
Take your time to plan, do not rush into things & have to live with expensive regrets.

nednedx

in Renovation 5 years and 2 months ago

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    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

IMHO, your first step is determine your budget. It needs to be range that includes at least 75% contingency. Once you do that, you will get a lot more clarity around your options