Where to start with a renovation? Designer? Architect? Contractor?
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Anonymous
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I have to do a fair amount of renovations in my one-bedroom condo and am not sure what type of expert to contact first.
I'll need my galley kitchen completely gutted and rearranged, a wall knocked down to open up the space, then wood floors installed over the entire apartment and recessed lighting added to the living room. I don't know exactly how i want the kitchen laid out and would like someone to advise me on it. But, what type of person does kitchen design, floors, and lighting? Is that a general interior designer? architect? general contractor? I'm on a fairly small budget, so I feel like an architect would be overkill. But, I just don't know. Any ideas on where I should start? And, any specific recommendations? I'm in DC. |
Anonymous
| Look for an interior designer who specializes in kitchens. |
Anonymous
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First you contact an architect to draw up plans for what you *can* do. If you want to hire a designer, have him or her on board to help you review your options and choose what works best. A designer can be a good go-between among you and an architect.
The architect, or you, will bid the work that you chose to be done out to a contractor after plans are made. The contractor will execute the design. You may or may not choose to keep the architect on to supervise the work and be on call for questions. You need an architect first because this work requires the type of permits that a designer can not legally handle. If you want to avoid expense, you can likely do all of this thru a good GC that draws plans and knows how to artfully choose finishes and design elements. --A designer. |
Anonymous
| I would go straight to the GC - one who works with an architect and will get the permitting done. Reason why I say that is if the architect screws something up, you do not have to pay for it, as the GC is responsible for the architect. If you want I can send you more information on several GC's in the area who will do this. |
GreytPets
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| To do it correctly, you will need permits so you will need an architect to do plans for you. Shoot me a private message and I can recommend one who is cheap - I just don't want to put their name on here for many reasons. They can get you through the permitting as well as draw plans that you can get apples to apples bids on. |