Why design and build firms are the best choice for renovations

There’s a reason that home renovations are notoriously stressful: You’re signing yourself up for a complicated multilevel project that’ll take several types of contractors to finish. There’s also the stress of dealing with construction issues you'd never even considered before.

"In the past, your only option would have been to take an educated guess as to which contractors are the right ones," says Aaron Popowsky, CEO of Gallery Kitchen & Bath, a design and build firm in New York. "Thankfully, you don’t have to hope for the best anymore—you can choose the best."

Homeowners are choosing to turn their renovation projects over to full-service, turnkey design and build firms. A turnkey firm will handle every single aspect of your renovation project, from designing it to filing the proper permits, handling board approval, sourcing materials, purchasing, and more. With the right team of experts just a phone call away, your dream renovation is within reach.

Headache-free home remodeling

Your home isn’t an accessory that you can change on the fly, but you deserve to live in a space that fits your ideal aesthetic and comfort level. That’s why choosing the right contractor for your project is extremely important: Someone will be altering one of your most valuable investments. By getting everything right, you can avoid wasting resources and preserve (or increase) the value of your home.

Consider the traits of a typical home renovation or construction project: inconvenient, never-ending, and stressful. The experiences are especially bad for homeowners who end up with untrustworthy contractors. "It’s an unfortunate truth that many contractors force change orders on homeowners after their projects have started," says Popowsky. "They may not have accounted for factors like the site’s condition during the initial bid, and with the renovation well underway, the homeowner has no choice but to pay the higher cost."

Design and build firms eliminate the chances of change orders. By providing the experienced, all-inclusive team you’ll need, these firms simplify the process so that you don’t have to stress. "The right build and design firms will ask tons of questions and take time to get to know you and your project goals before ever submitting a proposal," says Popowsky.

This means you’ll have someone to design your space, file permits, draft architectural drawings, and oversee all of the logistics of your renovation. Your team will know what you want to accomplish and what issues might pop up given the location and condition of the site. An all-inclusive approach means you shouldn’t be faced with sudden surprises or alterations (unless you decide to change something yourself).

The turnkey firm renovation process

Having a design and build firm handle your renovation from start to finish is the best way to ensure that your project goes smoothly. "Notable turnkey firms have extensive experience and solid industry connections, so they can expertly transform your kitchen, bath, or living space according to your goals," says Popowsky. When you have a team of professionals handling the project for you, every step of the process is less stressful, including:

• Planning the project: You can’t jump into any renovation without doing research first, but where do you start? You can begin by looking for an architect, but you may not actually need one. You can search for individual contractors, but you may not know whether they’ll have the experience for your specific project.

If you research and choose the right design and build firm, you won’t have to worry about choosing contractors. Your firm will help plan your renovation by evaluating your goals and the scope of the project, which includes any permits, building restrictions, or unusual materials.

• Handling the legwork: No matter where you live, room and home renovations are a lot of work. However, certain areas and buildings require extra steps. For example, in New York City, some condo and co-op building boards impose alteration agreements that dictate your materials and work hours.

The right design and build firm will be well-versed in navigating these agreements and figuring out the logistics of working within the building’s regulations. Your firm will also handle board approval processes and Department of Buildings or architectural filings, if necessary.

• Purchasing the finishes: Planning, prepping, and completing your renovation takes up a large portion of the project, but there are always the finishing touches that make the space yours. One of the biggest advantages of working with the right turnkey firm is having a single source from which to choose and purchase finishes.

Design and build firms have longstanding relationships with wide ranges of vendors. Instead of visiting countless showrooms and purchasing fixtures piecemeal, your liaison will provide you with the best options—often at lower prices than on showroom floors.

Renovating a home is a significant undertaking, and trying to handle it all on your own is a recipe for disaster. The sheer scope of all the tasks you’d have to complete can make it seem impossible. That’s why more and more homeowners are discovering the ease of renovating with full-service firms. Renovate your home the right way—the first time. Contact Popowsky at Gallery Kitchen & Bath to start your headache-free home remodeling today.

Aaron Popowsky is CEO and founder of Gallery Kitchen & Bath, an award-winning, full-service design and build firm. Gallery KBNY specializes in the interior renovation of apartments, brownstones, and town-homes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and parts of Queens. The team strives tirelessly to couple excellent craftsmanship with matching service and communication.