7 Common Misconceptions About Design Build Renovations In NYC

Table of Contents

• The Myth Of Hidden Costs
• Debunking The "Cutting Corners" Misconception
• Aligning Interests: How Design-Build Firms Work for You
• Quality Assurance In Multi-Project Environments
• The Misconception Of Limited Design Options
• Debunking the "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach
• The Myth of Reduced Owner Control

While design-build is quickly becoming the standard amongst New York City renovation methods, many people considering a home remodel are still unfamiliar with the full-service approach, leading to various misconceptions about design-build renovations in NYC. 

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“Is design build more expensive than other methods?”

“Will their designer be good enough for a job this complex?” 

“They’ve got to be baking in costs, right?” 

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Before misinformation leads you towards an unideal renovation experience, read on as we break down the seven most common misconceptions about design build renovations in NYC in effort to address and debunk myths about this customer-first renovation approach. 

[#1]1. The Myth Of Hidden Costs[#1]

When all facets of your NYC renovation are included within a single price point in the design-build model, we can understand why potential clients may conclude costs could be hidden. In reality, the total opposite is true. Well, at least with Gallery. 

Transparent Design Build Pricing Model

With our full-service design build renovations, we provide an itemized list of room-by-room costs as part of your formal proposal. With accurate specs and comprehensive estimates, all pricing is based on our scope of work and client-approved designs, with all services needed to complete your renovation included under one price point. 

Comprehensive Pricing, Up Front In Process

As a result of the depth of pre-planning and consultation, we’re able to provide full pricing at the very beginning of the process. This sets full cost parameters for the entire project and ensures we can stay on budget throughout. 

This proactive approach is contrary to traditional renovation methods, which are more apt to hide pricing. Well, at least prolong. 

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• Renovating With An Independent Architect: A typical engagement with an architect usually unfolds like this: You hire an architect to design your space without having a clear understanding of the actual renovation costs or project timeline. After investing six months in the design phase, you begin receiving bids from various contractors, which often exceed your initial expectations. This leaves you with the difficult choice of either increasing your budget or going back to the drawing board to redesign, inevitably adding delays and frustrations.
• In short, this process can be one of the least transparent approaches. Additionally, clients often find that the architect prioritizes their own vision over the client's preferences. As a result, designs may be created with minimal client input, leading to inflated costs that only become apparent months into the planning process. This can result in a disconnect between the client’s expectations and the final design, both in terms of budget and aesthetic.

In contrast, Gallery’s design-build model offers a client-centric and objective-driven process combined with a talented design team. Read More: What Kind Of Architect Is Best For Your NYC Apartment Renovation?

Singular Pricing Means Less Client Management 

Design-build differs significantly from traditional renovation methods, where pricing comes from isolated contractors and each service can be bid on for competitive pricing. By choosing the design-build approach, our clients discover they can avoid the complexities of sourcing and coordinating multiple contractors. This streamlined process allows them to focus more effectively on design goals and maintain their daily routine.

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[#2]2. Debunking The "Cutting Corners" Misconception[#2]

When all renovation services are combined under roof in order to maximize value for clients, a common design build myth is that certain details may get missed. However, with all parties working in tandem from day one, all considerations are met with expertise and priority. 

Collaborative Nature Of Design Build Teams 

By nature, the design build renovation model brings synergy between all parties involved in your renovation. By having architects, interior designers, project managers, and project liaisons all working together under the same roof, all expertise is combined to ensure clients get the dream home they imagined at the outset of the partnership. 

Integrated Processes Lead To Efficient, Not Compromised, Solutions

Unlike traditional renovation methods that involve adding third-party builders or designers later in the project and require key stakeholders to play catch up, design-build renovations offer a collaborative approach from the start. For example, if the interior designer is considering different door designs and has concerns about installation challenges on one option, they can quickly consult the architect or project manager. This immediate feedback helps expedite decisions and prevents future issues.

[#3]3. Aligning Interests: How Design-Build Firms Work for You[#3]

With any service agreement, clients may be skeptical about whether or not their best interests are always in mind. When renovating with a design build firm, that concern can be immediately alleviated as the whole goal of the design build model is working on behalf of clients. 

Shared Goals Between Clients And Design-Build Teams

When clients initially engage about their potential renovation, we get to know them and their project goals, identifying feasibility and potential costs. Once we’ve done due diligence and gotten full design and cost expectations confirmed, we offer the client a scope of work, timeline, and associated cover-all price for the entire renovation - start to finish. 

Contractual Structure Incentivizes Client Satisfaction

If they find the proposal agreeable, we work towards the same common goal, based on those contractual obligations. With aligned expectations, it’s in the best interest of the design build firm to stay on time and budget. This is unlike an independent architect, who often work for themselves rather than the client, designing with their portfolio in mind and not the interests of the clients. This can lead to exorbitant material costs and moving timelines. With design build, you pay for a specifically-designed home, and the design build firm’s job to deliver exactly that. No questions asked. 

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[#4]4. Quality Assurance In Multi-Project Environments[#4]

When renovation processes are streamlined, some may think quality could suffer as a result of pushing progress. However, with a true design build firm, client satisfaction and upholding expectations are ultimately the main priorities. 

Quality Control Processes In Design-Build Firms

In the design-build model, a single entity is responsible for both design and construction of your renovation. This unified approach minimizes miscommunications and misunderstandings that can occur when separate parties handle design and construction in traditional models. 

Standardized Process Equals Enhanced Custom Results 

Standardization in the design-build context ensures consistent quality across all client projects by implementing uniform procedures, specifications, and guidelines. Thanks to consistent design specifications, quality control checklists, and routine safety protocols, there is less variability in the renovation process and added efficiency towards your timeline. 

Our Reputation Requires Meeting Expectations 

In traditional renovation methods, architects or contractors hiring third party builders or designers means the quality control is in the hands of others, often leading to inadequate results and mismanaged client expectations. Ultimately, the third party isn’t responsible for their work and your project suffers because the care and consideration has been lost in translation. With design-build, all professionals on your project are working towards the same goal - five star client satisfaction. If something goes awry during the renovation, excuses aren’t made, alterations are made. On our dime. We have a reputation to uphold, which starts by delivering the home you envisioned, the way we agreed upon. 

[#5]5. The Misconception Of Limited Design Options[#5]

Seeing as design build contractors combine all services under one roof, potential clients may question whether being provided a designer as a part of a renovation service bundle offers enough design freedom for their project. In fact, design build offers more creative freedom than most alternative renovation options. 

Collaborative Design Offers Range Of Possibility 

While a design-build firm may assign you a specific interior designer, they’re ultimately working on your behalf. With veteran interior designers who understand the entire process from an all-encompassing POV, the capabilities of your designer are endless. The design itself is ultimately based on the client’s design goals and preferences, along with their budget. The more open-ended the client is, the more our designers can flourish. 

Client Input Valued Most 

When our interior designers start imagining the intricacies of your home, their agenda is your agenda. The designs we build on your behalf are based on the vision, personal design style, and material preferences of our clients. If our clients are indifferent, we will help guide their decisions, designing based on best practice for the space and our predetermined budget. 

This client-valued model is quite different from working with an independent architect, who typically design with their own portfolio in mind and forgo most client input. While this can indeed result in award-winning design, many clients don’t need that level of luxe customization and prefer a more personalized approach. 

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Examples Of Diverse And Innovative Designs

When clients have a specific vision in mind, we’re able to turn even the most outdated pre-war apartments into elegant sanctuaries - which is what we did for client Jennifer when renovating her family’s 4,000 square foot co-op at 1035 5th Avenue. She knew what she wanted, we delivered, and her praise was appreciated. See her testimonial above, then view the full before and after UES renovation transformation.

However, not every client knows what they want on a room by room basis. For instance, when the owner of a post-war co-op at 55 East End Ave hired us for a full renovation in his newly-acquired Upper East Side home, the only aesthetic suggestion he provided was that he wanted mid-century modern design. So, that’s exactly what we delivered, in stunning fashion to boot.

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[#6]6. Debunking the "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach[#6]

One of the biggest design build myths is they have a one-size-fits-all approach. While design build firms like Gallery may have pre-determined processes in play to streamline renovations and a foundational set of design principles to ensure consistent standards, having a uniform approach to every renovation simply does not apply in New York City. 

How Design-Build Firms Tailor Their Approach

When every building has a unique charm and subsequent set of specialized requirements, design-build firms have no choice but to be flexible with their full-service approach. The same goes for clients. That’s why we approach every renovation differently at Gallery, catering each project to the unique needs of the client and their design preferences, along with any complications the respective building may require us to accommodate. 

Proper Planning Leads To Up-Front Flexibility 

We prepare for each one-of-a-kind renovation by getting a firm understanding of the project during our preliminary planning and in-depth scope of work assessment. This in-depth due diligence allows us to plan according to need, not want, and scale each project appropriately. View our design-build process in full. 

[#7]7. The Myth of Reduced Owner Control[#7]

If you’ve gotten this far in the article, you likely understand why the belief that design-build firms don’t offer client control may be misguided. In practice, with design-build renovations, clients always come first.

Owners Maintain All Design-Making Power

From key interior design decisions to finalizing form and function, a true full-service design build firm like Gallery allows clients to maintain executive decision making power throughout the entire renovation process. Although our proactive approach warrants minimal change orders, you have the power to halt the presses to make a design pivot after approvals are in place. Such late-stage alterations may require adjustments to the timeline and original agreement, but the goal of immaculate design and client satisfaction remain unwavering. 

Collaborative Nature Of Owner Involvement

When the client drives the design inspiration and ultimately has the final say, the job of the design build firm isn’t to simply say yes to every suggestion and build accordingly. As your partner, we offer informed design decisions and feedback via collaborative efforts throughout the renovation, making sure your best interests are in mind and all angles are considered. 

Why Design Build Makes Sense For Your NYC Renovation

Hopefully any design build myths have been alleviated and you understand the value a true design-build firm in NYC can deliver to clients. Design build firms provide an all-inclusive approach to complex renovation in New York City in effort to provide custom renovations for on-the-go clients who prefer not to manage multiple contractors and want design input on their project. Keep in mind, not everyone can truly claim full-service design-build, so make sure you know what to look for in a true design build firm before hiring. 

Considering an apartment renovation in New York City? Consider Gallery. We are an award-winning design-build general contractor in New York City with a full-service approach to renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn that includes everything from interior design and architecture services to board approvals/permits and construction management. We’re experts in pre-war renovations, apartment combinations, room creations, full gut renovations and all that falls in between. 

View our portfolio of NYC apartment renovation before and afters, learn more about Gallery, or contact us today. Let us bring your dream home to life.