Six Expert Tips for Renovating a Kitchen in NYC

Thinking about renovating your kitchen? Then you are in luck! 

The Prevu team recently sat down with Cathy Nyarkoh (Lead Designer) and Dale Pittner (Project Operations Lead) from Dumbo-based Block Renovation to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about creating your dream kitchen in New York City.

What are key design trends apartment owners request in NYC? 

Just as much as New Yorkers have a reputation for having a pared-back, cool aesthetic, they also have a tendency to lean on more classic/traditional design elements — which is especially true in New York’s many pre-war co-op buildings. 

In particular, we’re seeing that transitional design, a style which fuses elements from both classic and contemporary design to create a look with lots of personality, is becoming increasingly popular. This style is perfect for those modernists who live in a period home, who want to stay true to their own aesthetic and yet celebrate the built style of their space. 

Beyond that, New Yorkers love to maximize space where they can. That means adding blind corner pull out drawers to corner cabinets, taking their upper cabinets as close to the ceiling as they can and adding peninsulas or islands where there is enough room to play with. 

How can New Yorkers get the most from their kitchen renovation budget? 

The best way to keep costs low is to make the renovation a true rip & replace project. Don’t move any gas lines, keep appliances if you can, and know your electric intake before installing new fixtures that require a significant amount of power. 

There are many examples of more cost efficient ways to achieve a desired look or feel. If you want a more open space, for example, go for two tone kitchen cabinets instead of demoing a wall. If you want a visual accent, using handmade tile for backsplash instead of stone is a great way to save. And of course, using quartz instead of marble will not only give you a longer lasting countertop, but a more affordable one as well.

What mistakes can people avoid during a NYC kitchen renovation? 

One of the biggest mistakes we see in the early stages of planning a kitchen renovation is not setting a realistic budget at the beginning of the project. It also goes a long way to do research on your building’s management company to get a sense of what to expect when you start your renovation. 

Lastly, giving yourself clear priorities for your renovation will help if you run into any hard decisions you need to make down the road. These priorities can be whatever you make them— storage, resale value, functionality, or cost, to name a few— but being clear about what they are will make the process a lot easier. 

What rules do NYC apartment owners need to follow for renovation approval?

It’s important that you read your building requirements or management company’s Alterations Agreement. That’s where you’ll be able to find the unique rules, contractor insurance minimums, and standard working hours for your building. 

From there you can work with your contractor to determine cost implications for specific items. At Block, we have a permitting & approvals team to help you navigate the approval process— but if you’re working with just a general contractor (GC), giving yourself an early start and reading the documents thoroughly will save you headaches in the long run.

What is the average cost of renovating a kitchen in NYC? 

There are a lot of factors that go into cost, some of which include the building type and age, the size of the room being renovated, and how much you want to deviate from the current layout (e.g. moving appliances, electrical layout).  

But perhaps the largest determinant of cost within your control is the materials that you select, since pricing for custom cabinetry, countertops, and appliances can vary widely.  That’s why Block has built an advanced pricing tool that takes all of these factors into account to get you an accurate, data-backed estimate early in the process.  

With all of this in mind, an all-inclusive cost for a standard 50-70 square foot New York City kitchen would be around $50,000 to $60,000.

How is Block Renovation different from hiring a general contractor? 

Block has a vetted contractor network, so it’s a given that clients are going to work with a best-in-class contractor with a proven track record. But a good contractor isn’t the only critical part of a renovation. Finding quality materials, procuring those materials, coming up with a design that meets your needs, getting permits, and securing financing for your renovation are all things that can make or break your experience. 

The difference between Block and a general contractor is that we bring all parts of the renovation in house— designers, permitting & approvals support, contractors, and planners all work together to provide a seamless experience through every stage of your renovation projects.

Block has done hundreds of projects all over greater New York, taking clients from planning through design and build. Their work has been featured in Refinery 29, Domino Magazine, and Fast Company, among others. If you’re interested in renovating, Block offers complimentary consultations with their team— visit their website to get in touch and receive a free estimate, and for a limited time you can also receive a $500 credit towards your project.