When clients approach us about a luxury gut renovation in New York City, understandably one of their first questions is about timeline. It’s crucial to understand, especially when planning for temporary housing during construction. While every project is unique, a high-end, custom renovation typically takes 12-16 months from start to finish. Here’s why:
The Design Phase: 6 Months
Good design takes time. We start by documenting your space and exploring ways to maximize its potential. Next comes the creative work of selecting materials, finishes, and custom details that will make your home uniquely yours. Finally, we translate these decisions into detailed construction plans.
We don’t work from templates. Each project is custom-crafted to match your vision, which requires careful thought and attention to detail.
The Approval Process: 2 Months
While design moves forward, we handle approvals. Your project needs sign-off from the Department of Buildings and your building’s management team. If you’re in a landmark district, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will review it too.
The building’s approval process often proves most challenging. They examine every detail against their regulations. The good news is that this phase typically runs concurrently with the design and bidding process, though for complex projects, ones that are landmarked, or ones with a particularly arduous building review process – this phase can become the critical path to the start of construction.
The Pricing Phase: 4-6 Weeks
Most clients prefer getting multiple contractor bids to ensure the best value. Contractors need two weeks to review and price the plans. We then analyze their proposals, explore cost-saving options, and finalize the contract details.
For clients who prioritize speed, we offer an alternative: bringing a contractor on board during design. While this approach costs slightly more, it can save significant time and often leads to a smoother construction process. Learn more about that here.
Construction: 7-10 Months
The building phase typically spans seven to ten months. Simple projects might move faster, while complex ones may need more time. This timeline assumes everything runs smoothly, with no unexpected discoveries during construction.
Your Role Matters
Your involvement shapes the project’s pace. Clear, timely decisions keep things moving forward. We’ve learned that thoughtful planning at the start prevents costly changes later. Late stage changes can be terribly disruptive to the schedule, and we look to avoid them by taking time during the design process. But when they do become necessary during construction, they take both time and money to execute properly.
Why Quality Takes Time
Could other firms promise a faster timeline? Perhaps. But at K-DA, we traffic in bespoke quality. Luxury renovations demand attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship. Our experience shows that realistic expectations from the start lead to better outcomes.
Have a project you want to discuss? We would love to talk to you to see if we could be the right partner for you.
