Thomas Baio Architect PC

As a realtor in Short Hills NJ (suzyminken@gmail.com), I have had the pleasure of working with Tom for the past couple of years on many conceptual drawings on behalf of both my sellers and buyers. Tom is so creative and knowledgeable about what can be done with a property. His designs are well thought out and very impressive. I have been inside many of the new construction homes where Tom has been the architect and the homes are simply stunning. On a personal note, Tom is very generous with his time, dedicated to satisfying his clients, and truly a pleasure to work with. Few architects I have worked with can match his level of creativity or expertise, not to mention humility. I highly recommend Tom Baio to anyone looking to build a new home or renovate.

Tom has great vision and see spaces transforming into useable functional areas. He was able to take an old traditional colonial house (5BR/3bath) of ours and turn it into a very modern property (6BA/.6bath). We also added a 600sq.ft kitchen with beautiful views and a large mudroom. Tom helped us to prioritize the use of space to maximize their utility. He also provided a layout with great flow and workability. I also very much liked the aesthetic aspects of the design as well. He also provided a great deal of help during the construction process.

Tom Baio recently helped me design my home addition and remodel. He was great to work with & very professional. During construction he came by to meet with my contractor without blinking an eye and was constructive to getting the town on board when an issue came up. I would definitely recommend Tom to anyone needing an architect. I love my house !!

I would recommend Thomas Baio to anyone seeking to design an addition or remodel of their home. Thomas worked with us and came up with a wonderful solution for our expanded house which we enjoy today. He was creative and responsive and great to work with and would use him again.

Tom recently helped us design our significant addition and remodel. He & his colleague Jordan worked with us to come up with several options to help achieve our goals, including some very creative solutions for the outdoor space (covered porch with Phantom Screens, a new basement below and new master bedroom/bathroom above. They were great to work with And very professional. Jordan was very accessible and he And Tom also came by to consult with our contractor when an unexpected issue came up - which was resolved quickly. As a side note Tom was key to helping us avoid a variance with his design. They allowed us to save significant time and money. I would recommend Thomas Baio Architect PC.

The best decision we made was getting Tom Baio and his team on board with the construction of our 6000 sq.ft addition. Tom's vision and ideas turned our dream home into a reality. However, not only did Tom put his vision on paper, he was there every step of the way to ensure we were making the best decisions for our home. Tom was at the project a minimum of 4 hours each week during the entire duration of the project, 9+months, whether a scheduled meeting, randomly stop by or responding to a quick question, Tom Baio was there! Tom Baio and his team get an A+++

You will not be disappointed if you choose Tom to design your house. While many people could just come up with a plan for your home, Tom brings a level of professionalism coupled with creativity that I have not found elsewhere. I had him design a custom home with very specific requests and he did an outstanding job. I also had him manage the project which was well worth it.

We recently worked with Tom Baio to design a 5000 sq. ft. home in Westfield NJ. Working with Tom and his team was a pleasure. He is extremely knowledgeable and up to date in home design concepts/trends, home construction, building materials, technology, land use coverage and building codes. As someone who had never built a home before, Tom listened patiently to what we were looking to achieve, and created a home that we couldn't be prouder of. Tom was there for us every step of the way, form working with our contractor, multiple site visits, looking over the quality of the work, and making sure our home was built as per the architect plans. In the end your architect plans are the real contract with your builder and couldn't have done it without all of his help.

Tom took our vision and needs and made them a reality....the new space is very functional and beautiful. We are very pleased with our new space and enjoy coming home to it every day...Thank You :)

Great experience working with Thomas Baio! He is helpful, patient, knowledgeable, affordable and easy to work with. Would use his services and expertise again in the future.

We had the pleasure of working with Tom on the redesign of the facade of our older house in Short Hills. The first thing we learned about him is that he is an extremely visual and creative guy - at our initial meeting (before we hired him), he was already sketching out his design ideas, something not done by the other architects we interviewed. We were also impressed by his clear understanding of the Short Hills market and what improvements made economic sense (as well as what didn't). When we needed a variance to get the project approved by the town, his relationships with the local planning administrators made the process move smoothly. Finally, even though this was a relatively small project (less than $100K construction), we always felt we had Tom's attention. We recommend him highly.

Tom recently helped us design our addition and remodel. He worked with us to come up with several options to help achieve our goals, including some very creative solutions for maximizing our space. He was great to work with--professional, great ideas and really listened to what we wanted to achieve. He came by to consult with our contractor when an unexpected issue came up and handled the town variance process as well. Would definitely recommend.

We had to come up with a rather unorthodox design solution and, thus, ended up going through a number of drawings, ideas, and iterations. Throughout the process, Tom and his team were a pleasure to work with - responsive, courteous and professional..

We brought Mr. Baio on board after finding a plan online that we felt fit our hopes and lot size. Mr. Baio was very careful and respectful as we worked together to achieve our vision. He has advised us and shared with us important information that goes beyond drafting up architectural plans. His office is very hospitable and accommodating. Mr. Baio is a very knowledgeable architect with many years of experience. What we most admire is that he is a man of integrity. My husband and I are excited to complete our project with Mr. Baio on board.

Tom and his staff were instrumental in helping us design our dream home. He provided excellent customer service as well a strong artistic vision. I would recommend him to anyone looking to build a custom house or do a major remodel.

Tom and I have worked on several projects together and have found him to be a consummate professional. He fully understands the ins and outs of not only architecture/design but also township requirements. Tom carefully listens to clients' needs and is able to make their wishes come true. He also makes it very easy by helping navigate them through the entire process from initial design to completion of construction. David S.

I have worked with many different architectural firms on many different projects. But when it came time to design and execute my own, Tom was the only choice. His creativity is trumped only by his dedication. It is very important for a builder to know what trades to choose. When making choices, the most important, is knowing that the trade will stand behind his product. That they will not be out of business in a year and that you don't have to chase them to get satisfaction. Tom and his associates never say no. They always go beyond to make sure their clients are fulfilled. This testimonial is basically my way of showing my appreciation for all their efforts. Stan Burakovsky

I have collaborated on numerous projects with Tom over the course of 20+ years with 100% confidence. When a homeowner approaches me with a project and doesn't yet have plans, Tom's firm is the first one I recommend – and for so many good reasons – Tom's creativity is extraordinary, his team is dedicated and savvy, and his architectural skills are superlative. You can’t put a price tag on the satisfaction you will get once you are living in your dream home designed by Tom Baio. If you are looking for a great experience in redesigning your current home or building from the ground up, call Thomas Baio Architect PC. Cliff Geissler, Geiss Custom Builders

My wife and I had a lot of difficulty finding a house we liked in the area we wanted. As a result, ended up buying a smaller house that required renovation from top to bottom. To get the space we needed, an addition was also in our plans. After interviewing a couple architects, we ended up selecting Tom Baio based on his knowledge of the area and reputation for high quality results. There is a style and flavor he brings that is unique in the homes he designs. We found Tom to be very professional, had creative ideas, and attentive to our needs. He provided wonderful options, and created initial floorplans to better understand our preferences. Upon receiving feedback from us, he and his team made the necesaary change to meet our needs. Our town zoning rules required us to get a variance in order to build the addition. Without hesitation, we also hired Tom to help represent us at the hearing. While not everything was smooth, his knowledge of the guidelines help us navigate through the challenging process to get the variance approved. Fast forward through the construction, we ended up with a house that looks great, has some nice design touches, and very functional to our needs. Very happy with the results and Tom was a key enabler. Would higly recommend him!

He was hired to draw plans for new home construction. He is a sweet person that can draw a "Pretty Plan". Delve into those plans and you will see many calculation mistakes and plans may not be sound structurally. We needed to hire an outside structural engineer to fix many problems - including adding many supportive structural beams and the plans didn't even include a roof for a new home. Staircases are another one of his major pitfalls. Another engineering disaster that had to be corrected or reworked.(4 different staircases in our home had issues) His revised work is very sloppy. The third revision may not include the update from the second revision. If you hire or hired him check the plans carefully. The reason he has so many homes built in the area is because he is not expensive and builders will "fix" the problems in his plans as they build. Be very wary using him for a big project or something that may need a true structural change.

If you need an architect that is creative both in his designs and solutions, is precise in his plans and decisions, and is a joy to work with, then you must talk to Tom Baio. I worked with him intensely after Hurricane Irene for nearly two years on our home and he and his staff were always positive, detail -oriented, budget conscious and available for consultation. Tom is the ultimate professional and I highly recommend him for any project, large or small.

Thomas Baio and his team were a true Blessing to our home-building project. We did not know Tom prior to hiring him for our project and we quickly saw his natural ability for creativity, strategic thinking, thoroughness all while trying to stay true to our building priorities and budget. He was a true partner helping us navigate the complexities of permits and a very difficult township. He not only delivered architecture that met our needs, he proactively gave us perks that we would not have thought of (ie. a walk-up attic! aka - looks like a loft). He has vision, experience and even more importantly, is a genuinely nice person. He also has a great staff that is responsive, collaborative and visionary. Our home would not be as beautiful as it is today, had it not been for Tom being part of our power-team building our new home!

Tom and his company were able to take all of our ideas and create something beautiful. I first met Tom during a walk through of our property when we discussed all of the possibilities for our renovation. It was comforting to be in such capable hands.

We have worked with Tom Baio Architects on two separate large projects. We had met with other architects who either repeated our thoughts or would not say anything unless we paid them first. At the first meeting Tom listened to us patiently and then gave us an idea that we could never have thought of. The idea was drastic yet simple and inexpensive. It changed the entire character of our house and to this day we still have builder's asking us for copies of Tom's plans. Tom's passion for his designs are evident from the first meeting where he provides a mockup of your new home. You can tell that Tom truly cares about his designs like an artist feels for his paintings. In terms of a working relationship, we found Tom and his entire team to be attentive and provide quick turnaround on any request. They will not get frustrated no matter how many times you ask to move an outlet or a light switch. Tom is the only architect we will ever use and we have recommended him to family and friends who have been just as happy.

For the past four years my husband and I went back and forth in our thought process regarding what to do with our Colonial Cape Cod House, circa 1932. We were at the point where we needed to either invest money towards improvements to maintain the property, or sell and move to another house that would afford us the space and living area needed, as we approached out golden years. The other possibility that we toyed with was undertaking a total renovation of the house, which we had considered at the very beginning of the process, but was turned off with the high price that one architect had quoted us. We were getting flustered when a friend suggested we contact Thomas Baio. At our very first meeting, that took place at our house, Tom listened to our visions and needs and started drawing a rough floor plan and exterior design. We were thoroughly impressed and a few months later we contacted Tom and engaged him to do our project. We meet several times during the initial stages of development of the plans, which enabled the must haves to emerge and the non-essentials to be identified and eliminated. We had given Tom a budget and he knew it was important to design a house that not only met our needs, but one we could afford. As the challenges of the design began to emerge, Tom was attentive to protecting what we all thought would enable us to live in the house until we decided not to and to maintain the charm and quaintness so that the outside structure would fit into the neighborhood. The house originally had three small bedrooms upstairs with one bath. Most of the space was compromised because of dormers in each room. Downstairs consisted of a kitchen, den, living room and dining room with a single car garage attached. The only other bathroom was a half bath located on the first floor that was as big as a broom closet. The other challenge of the project was that our lot was a corner one, but long and narrow. Using the footprints of the first floor and pushing out the back to expand out and build over, Tom designed a four bedroom home with three full baths, an elevator, laundry room upstairs, an amazing chef’s kitchen that lent itself to our entertaining needs and a two car oversize garage. When we meet with the zoning board of our town Tom’s presentation was outstanding and was so noted by the board members. We were approved without any hassles and moved forward once again with Tom’s assistance in recommending contractors. Throughout the construction we meet on a weekly basis with Tom and our contractor and sub-contractors enabling and supporting a seamless time schedule that was followed. Any problems that came up Tom was always there with creative solutions and supporting our interest in getting the best results. Because of Tom’s involvement and dedication the renovation was completed on schedule and on budget. We have been living in our new house going on four months now and wake up every day pinching ourselves and saying is this really our home. The comfort, beauty and conveniences that our house provides us cannot be matched. We have the best of both worlds by remaining in our neighborhood that we have enjoyed for the past 35 years and having a home that everyone that passes marvels at. It is my opinion that securing Tom Baio for an architect would be the best investment any homeowner could make. His talent, work ethics and love of design truly will enhance any project he undertakes.

We used Tom for 2 different projects and each time we chose him because he brought to the table creative and original ideas that none of the other architects we interviewed had. For our first project Tom transformed the exterior of our dated and ugly 1970's house into a beautiful gem. He also redesigned our entryway to add needed space, and turned our MB into a retreat by adding a tray ceiling and french doors to a new balcony. Our dining room is now a beautiful entertainment space thanks to Tom's suggestion that we expand it and open the exterior wall to take in the previously concealed beautiful view. For our second project Tom tackled our family room. In place of two separate, small rooms (den and sunroom), we now have one open space with beautiful windows, a high ceiling and open to the kitchen. He alone of the architects we met came up with the best idea for creating an upstairs office, and added architectural interest to the living room by creating a vestibule. We always loved our neighborhood and now we love our home as well thanks to Tom's vision.

Tom was extremely creative in turning our dated 1960s bi-level house into the modern home we were seeking, navigating the nuances of the building code with an eye toward getting us everything we wanted out of the house. We have received nothing but compliments on the house and have only good to say about the experience of working with Tom and his talented and responsive team.

We had a wonderful experience designing our home with Tom. He not only understood our needs but put them down on paper. He was easy to work with and was full of great ideas/suggestions. Tom knows design and style! His team was always punctual and answered all our doubts and concerns immediately. He worked with our limitations and respected our budget . That was very important to us! My husband and I would highly recommend Thomas Baio and his team!

Thomas Baio Architect is detailed-oriented, creative and a true artist. He's created a spectacular home for us that's truly an architectural masterpiece.

Great services and beautiful design, excellent advice. Very much attention to details. Flexible to modify design and very familiar with local codes.

We asked Mr. Tom Baio to renovate/ extend our home, he prepared architecture plan that addressed our issues, concerns and most important he prepared for our dream home. How worked with us for meetings and understood our requirements and kept our budget in mind. He found three contractors and got estimate, interviewed them and selected the best one. Mr. Baio and his firm represents best people that we ave worked with, truly professional and innovative and imaginative. The project of extension / renovation has not begun yet we are very pleased with this reject. We highly recommend Mr. Tom Baio and his firm as an Architect and Designer.