Home Renovation Questions
You can talk to us before you have plans or a budget. We’ll help you understand the work, likely costs, and what to expect during construction.
Getting Started
Is Bau licensed and insured?
Yes. We are licensed and insured, with general liability, auto, and workers’ compensation coverage. We review project insurance requirements with our broker to arrange applicable coverage and endorsements. Contact us to discuss current documentation and the requirements for your project.
When should I contact Bau?
You can contact us at any stage. Tell us about a room you want to improve, a complete home renovation, or plans you already have.
What should I have ready for the first conversation?
A description of what you want to change and the property location are enough. Share photos, drawings, budget expectations, or timing if you have them.
Can Bau renovate one room or does the work need to involve the whole house?
We remodel individual kitchens and bathrooms as well as complete homes. We also build additions and renovate lofts, brownstones, and townhouses.
Where does Bau work?
We work in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, the Lower Hudson Valley, and northern New Jersey. Contact us about your location and the work you have in mind.
Budgets, Estimates, and Changes
I’m not sure what my project will cost. How do you help build a budget?
We discuss the home you want to create and what you expect to spend, then compare layout and finish options. We explain how those choices affect the cost and prepare an estimate with allowances for finishes you wish to select. You do not need a settled budget to contact us.
How do I compare estimates that have different totals?
Check that the estimates cover the same work and materials. Compare allowances and exclusions, including any design fees, permit fees, or items you will buy separately. We can explain what our price covers and discuss differences with you.
What is an allowance?
An allowance is a budget amount for an item or part of the work you have not fully chosen. For example, the estimate may include an allowance for tile. Your final selection can change the price, so we explain what each allowance covers.
What should I look for in the exclusions?
Check which work and costs are outside the price and who will provide them. An appliance you buy separately still needs to fit the cabinetry and arrive when it is needed. We discuss those responsibilities when reviewing the scope.
What happens if the scope or site conditions change?
We explain the proposed work and its cost and schedule impact, then document it for your approval before it starts. Conditions uncovered inside walls or floors may need investigation or design review before we can price the change.
Design and Permits
Can Bau work with my architect or designer?
Yes. We work with your architect, designer, and other project professionals. If you need one, we can introduce design professionals we have worked with. They prepare the design, and we coordinate it with the construction.
Who handles permit applications?
We coordinate the required documents with your architect, engineer, or other licensed professional, submit permit applications, and work with the reviewing agencies. We obtain the required approvals before starting that work.
Are building or board approvals the same as permits?
No. A building or board may need to approve the renovation separately from the permit agency. We review the building’s alteration rules, access hours, and insurance requirements during planning and coordinate the required submissions.
When do I need to choose finishes and fixtures?
We tell you when each decision is needed. Layouts and items with long delivery times usually need to be chosen first. We coordinate their dimensions and specifications with the construction and review any substitutions with you.
Living Through Construction
Can I stay at home during the renovation?
It depends on which rooms will be unavailable and which building systems the work will disrupt. We review this with you before construction and discuss alternative accommodations if needed.
What should I plan if the kitchen or only bathroom will be unavailable?
You will need another way to cook, wash, or use a bathroom while those facilities are unavailable. We discuss the affected rooms and any system shutdowns with you during planning. If temporary arrangements will not meet your needs, plan another place to stay for that part of the work.
How should I prepare rooms, belongings, and access?
We discuss what to remove from the work area, what needs protection, and how workers and materials will enter. Tell us about pets, access restrictions, and household routines so we can plan around them.
Walkthrough and Closeout
What is a punch list?
A punch list records any requested changes from the walkthrough. We walk the finished space with you, prepare the list, and resolve the changes.
What documents should I keep after the renovation?
Keep the agreement, approved changes, relevant permit and inspection records, and product information. We organize the closeout documents for your project so you can retain them.
How is the work checked before completion?
We inspect and test work as appropriate during construction, coordinate required inspections, and review the finished space at the walkthrough. We record and review any requested changes with you.