--- title: "Buildplan — Kitchen & Bath Remodelers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/buildplan-pfvwus-pf~1262973758 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1262973758.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: Buildplan category: ["Kitchen & Bath Remodelers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/4343c8ee02ba3fad_2248-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "New York, New York 10023, United States" phone: "(917) 536-3659" website: http://mybuildplan.co rating: 5 review_count: 14 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 13 last_updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Buildplan Original Houzz profile: [Buildplan](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/buildplan-pfvwus-pf~1262973758) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Kitchen & Bath Remodelers - **Location:** New York, NY - **Serves:** New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island City, Inwood, Astoria, Hudson, Yorkville, Carroll Gardens, Chelsea, Cliffside Park, Ditmars Steinway, Dutch Kills, Edgewater, Englewood, Flatiron, Fort Lee, Ft Lee, Gramercy Park, Greenwich Village, Guttenberg, Hackensack, Hells Kitchen, Hoboken, Hunter's Point, Jackson Heights, Jersey City, Kew Gardens, Lenox Hill, Leonia, Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, Midtown East, Nomad, North Bergen, Palisades Park, Secaucus, Sunnyside, Teaneck, Tribeca, Union City, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Weehawken, West New York, Williamsburg, Woodside - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (14 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2023–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Free consultation - Award winning - Offers Custom Work Buildplan offers a better way to build. See award-winning designs tailored to your home in 3D with powerful design and analytic features built in to keep the project within budget and on schedule Our online design platform takes the guesswork out of great design Find your personal balance between style, function, and budget so you can get to done faster. Compare bids and shop products from multiple vendors so you can get the best market price for labor and material. We’ll handle logistics, coordination, and payment processing. Start a stress-free renovation backed by cutting-edge technology with Buildplan. ### Services Provided - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Remodeling - Home Additions - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Home Extensions - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Home Restoration - Project Management - Custom Pantries - Multigenerational Homes - Floor Plans - Bathroom Design - Kitchen Design - Architectural Design - Architectural Drawings - Design Consultation - Home Gym Design & Construction - House Plans - Laundry Room Design - Space Planning ### Areas Served - New York City - Brooklyn - Queens - Manhattan - Long Island City - Inwood - Astoria - Hudson - Yorkville - Carroll Gardens - Chelsea - Cliffside Park - Ditmars Steinway - Dutch Kills - Edgewater - Englewood - Flatiron - Fort Lee - Ft Lee - Gramercy Park - Greenwich Village - Guttenberg - Hackensack - Hells Kitchen - Hoboken - Hunter's Point - Jackson Heights - Jersey City - Kew Gardens - Lenox Hill - Leonia - Lincoln Square - Manhattan Valley - Midtown East - Nomad - North Bergen - Palisades Park - Secaucus - Sunnyside - Teaneck - Tribeca - Union City - Upper East Side - Upper West Side - Weehawken - West New York - Williamsburg - Woodside ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - 3 million $20,000 - 3,000,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Buildplan | | Address | New York, New York 10023, United States | | Phone | (917) 536-3659 | | Website | http://mybuildplan.co | | Followers on Houzz | 13 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Buildplan-109108761876879 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Buildplan](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/buildplan-pfvwus-pf~1262973758) - **Website:** http://mybuildplan.co - **Phone:** (917) 536-3659 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Award-winning designers - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2023–2025), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 14 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 48.0 - Value: 49.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — slava m, Oct. 2024** > The entire experience was truly exceptional: from architectural design, material selection to budgeting, contractor selection and project management. **★★★★★ — sharon mendelow, Oct. 2024** > Ben offered me multiple tiers of kitchen renovation options and gave me excellent guidance on my kitchen. It was completed all in time and on budget too. He went straight to the manufacturers and found exactly what I had envisioned. I would work with Ben again for my next reno project and have suggested Buildplan to my neighbors and friends. **★★★★★ — Hailey Wong, Aug. 2022** > We used Buildplan to renovate the bathroom on our UWS apartment. They were able to turn around designs and estimates quickly, which really helped move things along. I’ve had friends who went with a traditional designer and it would take weeks to get revisions. I’m so glad that we went with this service so that my husband and I could go online and work out the design on our own time. > > They put together very detailed documentation and I think that helped make sure that construction went smoothly. There were lots of technical drawings and a list of all the products, the whole process was very organized! I highly recommend them! Our bathroom look fabulous and it was great to have someone I trusted help guide us through the process. **Comment from Buildplan:** > Thank you Hailey for the kind words. It was a pleasure working with you and your husband. **★★★★★ — Nick, July 2022** > We were introduced to Buildplan through a family friend and reached out for help when we wanted to buy a fixer-upper in Austin, TX. Ben was very generous with his time and helped us evaluate a couple of potential properties. Having realistic renovation prices helped us understand what we were getting into. He also helped with some quick studies to see if we could place an ADU or subdivide some of the properties we were looking at. He was very generous with his time and helped us avoid some costly investments in an overheated market. > > We ended up purchasing a condo and decided to reach out to see if Buildplan was able to help us with the remodeling of our kitchen and bathroom. Since they are based out of NY, he went over some of the pros and cons of working on a project remotely. They arranged for the contractor to take digital scans of construction progress with their app. We were close enough to drive by, but it was great to save the 20 min drive, grab a beer, kick back, log in and see how construction was progressing. They identified if anything was getting off track and were able to resolve issues as they came up. It’s a different world with so much being done on zoom. The virtual 3D progress walkthrough’s helped keep everyone on the same page and expedited the whole process. I would definitely recommend Buildplan, whether you are in NY or somewhere else in the states! **★★★★★ — Francesco, July 2022** > I worked together with Ben on a number of complex renovation projects where he served as an owner’s representative. He has always assembled a first-class design and construction team. He is a clear communicator and is quick to solve problems. He is able to work with all the project stakeholders to iron out logistics and get the project delivered on time and within budget. His knowledge of the complex approval process in New York City is an asset during planning. He has a keen eye for detail that results in a well-crafted final product. > I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish with this new design-build venture. The team has already done terrific work, and they are just getting started! His keen eye for design, innovative use of technology, and construction expertise will guarantee that any project is a success. I would recommend Buildplan without reservation! **Comment from Buildplan:** > Thank you, Francesco! Keep me in the loop on how things are going on your next project. **★★★★★ — Jaqueline Travis, July 2022** > We worked with Buildplan on the remodel of our one bedroom. We remodeled the kitchen, and bathroom and redid the floors. They really helped bring all the different pieces it takes to get a renovation done in New York together. We barely had to lift a finger throughout the whole process since they took care of all the coordination and logistics. Hector our contractor was absolutely fantastic, they worked quickly and helped to minimize the disruption to our apartment. I highly recommend Buildplan. We will definitely be using them for our next renovation. **★★★★★ — HU-205461211, July 2022** > We wanted to hire a team that would manage the entire project from start to finish. After looking at several companies, we hired Buildplan since they were one of the only companies to include line items for all the hidden fees in their proposal. We didn't realize our building would charge us a hefty fee just for the "right" to renovate in our own apartment! All these items add up and it was great to have someone there to help us establish a realistic budget. > Their design process made it easy to narrow down what we liked design-wise. Their online system offers selections in a very organized way, making all the choices much more manageable. In the end, it was Samantha our designer who was a huge help in getting us across the finish line. She took the rough ideas for our pallete and flushed them out. Our kitchen looks fantastic! The availability of product alternates helped us spend intelligently. We were looking for a very high level of finish and saving on some of the less visible items helped us splurge on a beautiful countertop material that really defines the entire space. > The craftmanship on our kitchen millwork is first class. Construction went smoothly and the workers kept the space tidy. There were some delays with the fridge that we wanted but we were still able to stick to our original schedule. They literally installed it the day before we moved back in! It was great to have someone there to help you make sense of the construction process and what the contractors are telling you. I wanted to be involved so I went to the site regularly, but I don't think I would have been able to do this without them. I would highly recommend Buildplan. We are extremely pleased with the results and it was a pleasure working with them. **★★★★★ — Ahmad Badran, July 2022** > Buildplan team is the dream team that every homeowner should consider when it comes to home improvement. They are professional, easy to work with, and always provide creative ideas for any renovation or change needed. Buildplan handles your entire process with a peace of mind and you don't need to worry about anything. We wanted our bathroom remodeled, so Buildplan stepped in from the design through completion of the project. We had a great experience and they were providing updates whenever we asked about progress and the project was completed on-time. **★★★★★ — HU-503590187, July 2022** > We were referred to Ben by a friend who renovated their apartment in NYC. We thoroughly enjoyed working with him for the renovation of our bathroom. He gave us a a number of 3D renderings outlining different approaches to consider so we can understand the final result and cost. He was responsive to any questions and was quick to make changes. He quickly “got” what we were looking for. I’m excited to see the software develop. We were shown some previews of the features they are working on to get some of our feedback. The whole team is very customer focused and committed to delivering results. We’re thrilled with how our bathroom turned out and enjoyed the process getting there, a few minor construction hiccups aside! **★★★★★ — Chin Eun Jung, July 2022** > We did an extensive renovation on our first apartment so we know how long it can take, how hard it can be to nail down a budget, and finalize the design. . . . and then there is the headache of construction to deal with! We just bought the neighboring apartment in a co-op and wanted to combine apartments to accommodate our second child. We were looking for an architect on Houzz when a friend recommended Buildplan. My husband and I were open to trying something new but initially had some reservations about going with a less traditional online design process. Overall we were pleasantly surprised at how well this process worked and found that a lot of things actually worked BETTER! Working back and forth online with a 3D model we could walk through and comment on really allowed us to communicate more efficiently than working with 2D presentations. Design options were presented with renderings, detailed cost estimates and links to products which took a lot of uncertainty out of the selection process. My only comment is that it took a bit of back and forth having material samples shipped to us to make final material selections. I don’t think this service is ideal for someone who is looking for a full in person white-glove experience and needs to be handheld every step of the way. For us the service was perfect! It cost us less than a traditional architect, was a lot quicker and our home looks like it belongs in a magazine! **Comment from Buildplan:** > Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure working with you and your husband. **★★★★★ — Tricia Cox, July 2022** > We had a great experience working with the Buildplan team and using their platform! A friend recommended we use them so we hired Buildplan for a gut renovation of my bathroom. This was my first renovation, and I was absolutely clueless! I’m glad I decided to pay a bit extra for a professional project manager to coordinate co-op approvals and for a professional designer. I don’t think I would have had the time or know-how to handle all this back and forth myself. > > Having 24/7 access to project information via their platform and being able to quickly message the team put our minds at ease. From the beginning of the process, or project manager was always available to answer questions, problem solve, help make decisions, and keep the project moving forward. We never felt like we were out of the loop, or that we had to wait for answers. > > SHOUT OUT to Ben, the Buildplan team and Steve our contractor - great job guys! They made an overwhelming process effortless and enjoyable! **★★★★★ — HU-96369205, July 2022** > We’ve moved a couple of times and have ended up doing multiple renovations over the last 25 years. We worked with Buildplan to renovate our kitchen, bath and outdoor area for a Murray Hill garden apartment. We’ve worked with many designers and contractors, but this was by far the most transparent, clear and least stressful experience we've had. I’m pretty handy, and even built a deck from scratch in our upstate NY home. I know what questions to ask and know when contractors are trying to pull one over on me. What I appreciated about this process was that all the information you need is right there, so it keeps everyone honest. > > I’ve often been frustrated with getting estimates from contractors. It takes a lot of phone calls just to figure out what is and is not included, on top of that everyone organizes things differently making it impossible to level bids. Most of the time I give up and go with my gut. Someone from Buildplan came over to scan our apartment. This helped them put together a very detailed estimate based on actual measurements. Usually, contractors just eyeball it, try to capture everything in allowances and then make up any differences with a bunch of change orders. The bids that came in were all pretty close to each other and I could compare them line by line. > > I think the whole process kept the contractor honest and helped avoid the typical flood of change orders. Very organized, and a complete game-changer from the wild-west of typical construction! ## Selected projects - [Mid-century Modern Brooklyn Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-modern-brooklyn-remodel-pj-vj~7844202) - Location: Dumbo, NY - Photos: 10 - [Brooklyn Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brooklyn-remodel-pj-vj~7843973) - Location: Dumbo, NY - Photos: 10 - [Fort Lee - Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fort-lee-residence-pj-vj~7827474) - Location: Fort Lee, NJ - Photos: 10 - [Flatiron New York \| Luxury Minimalist Apartment Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flatiron-new-york-luxury-minimalist-apartment-remodel-pj-vj~6962396) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 14 - Description: This spacious 2-bedroom apartment was fortunate to have good bones and a great layout. The existing layout was kept intact, but we completely remodeled the kitchen, updated the bathroom finishes, and installed new wide-plank wood flooring throughout. The kitchen features integrated appliances, touch latch hardware, and a cooktop for a clean minimalist look. The light wood floor, oak cabinetry, and flat fronts create a simple Scandinavian look. The Madreperola quartzite countertop adds a touch of… - [Nomad New York \| Modern Details for a Classic Pre-war Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nomad-new-york-modern-details-for-a-classic-pre-war-apartment-pj-vj~6962389) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 9 - Description: We restored the intricate molding, wainscotting, and wood paneling of this pre-war apartment while adding key modern features like built-in speakers and recessed lighting. The guest bathroom and master bathroom both feature classic New York console sinks with nickel legs and a decorative nickel p-trap. The gooseneck fixtures, wall sconces, and beveled mirrors add to that classic New York look. White Calacatta marble wainscotting adorns the walls. Grey marble tile surrounds large marble slabs, hi… - [Greenwich Village New York \| Black and White Transitional Chic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-village-new-york-black-and-white-transitional-chic-pj-vj~6962397) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 6 - Description: The renovation of this pre-war condominium blended transitional details with mid-century modern décor to create an elegant timeless apartment full of personality. A monochromatic modern black and white kitchen brings together the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Statement artwork, iconic mid-century modern furniture, and local contemporary pieces create visual interest. The décor features pieces such as the Hoffman chair, Jean Pouvre EM table, and Apparatus lighting. Our client wanted to open… - [Greenwich Village New York \| Modern Small Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-village-new-york-modern-small-apartment-pj-vj~6962395) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: Our client came to us looking for ideas on how to convert a small studio apartment into a livable one bedroom that would still be able to accommodate space for a home office. We were able to create a bedroom by putting up a divider wall with a sliding door. Through the clever use of built-ins we were able to transform this small apartment into a very livable junior one bedroom. A clean minimal aesthetic and clever use of space transformed a cluttered studio apartment into a small luxury live wor… - [FiDi Kitchen Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fidi-kitchen-renovation-pj-vj~7844371) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 11 - [Upper East Side New York \| Wood and White Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-east-side-new-york-wood-and-white-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6959876) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: We completely remodeled this bathroom on the Upper East Side (UES) in a wood and white theme to lighten up this windowless bathroom. The flush frame oak vanity features matte black hardware to match the matte black bathroom fixtures. Patterned tile floors and a tiled shower niche add some visual interest. The glass barn door shower door adds a bit of personality, combining a light Scandinavian modern palette with industrial style details. The countertop is a clean white quartzite. A stylish glob… - [Lincoln Square New York \| Transitional Blue Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-square-new-york-transitional-blue-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6959906) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: A selective remodel of a master bathroom that included a new tub, vanity, and lights but kept the existing floor tile and shower. With a limited budget, we were able to freshen the bathroom with a statement vanity in bold blue lacquer and brass handles. The double sink vanity features matching mirrors and wall sconces. We were constrained by the location of the existing plumbing but were able to nestle in a free-standing tub next to the shower. - [Hudson New York \| Transitional Wood and White Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hudson-new-york-transitional-wood-and-white-kitchen-pj-vj~6978508) - Location: Hudson, NY - Photos: 7 - Description: We worked with the Muñoz family to modernize the kitchen of their upstate vacation home. The kitchen underwent a complete gut renovation . Key material choices such as the rich walnut cabinetry and slate stone tile flooring help tie the new kitchen into the other rooms of their rustic mountain retreat. White shaker-style kitchen cabinets and a white subway tile backsplash bring the fresh, clean modern look that the Muñoz family was looking for. The white Calcutta marble look island countertops c… - [Woodstock New York \| Modern Scandinavian Attic Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodstock-new-york-modern-scandinavian-attic-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6982183) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 5 - Description: The Barnabas family wanted to add a bathroom to their attic guest bedroom. We took advantage of the unique layout of the space which had a dormer and a sloping roof. We reserved the center space with full-height ceilings for the shower and created a niche with sloped ceilings on either side that house a floating vanity on one side, towel hooks, and a bench on the other. The clerestory window in the bathroom floods this bright Scandinavian bathroom with light. The simple wood and white palette is… - [Chelsea New York \| Sage Green Transitional Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chelsea-new-york-sage-green-transitional-kitchen-pj-vj~6962359) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 8 - Description: We worked with Emilia to resurrect this charming one-bedroom which had not been updated since the 70s. The centerpiece of the apartment renovation was the remodeled kitchen, but the refinished wood flooring helped to revive an estate apartment that had wall-to-wall carpeting. The classic New York white tile bathroom was left untouched. Emilia wanted to bring some color into the space to create a warm inviting kitchen-dining area. The subtle green tone is a fantastic way of bringing nature into t… - [Hoboken New Jersey \| Mid Century Modern White and Wood Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hoboken-new-jersey-mid-century-modern-white-and-wood-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6959869) - Location: Hoboken, NJ - Photos: 4 - Description: A mid-century modern-themed bathroom remodel that included new architectural door and window trim and matching custom vanity. A simple white and wood palette lets the natural beauty of the solid wood vanity and trim take center stage. The face frame vanity is adorned with simple linear brushed nickel pulls. A Caesarstone marble look countertop and linear wall sconce complete the look. The traditional white porcelain hex tiles and classic subway tile wainscoting are framed by the rich walnut wood… - [Astoria Queens \| Bold Colored Tile Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/astoria-queens-bold-colored-tile-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6960009) - Location: Queens, NY - Photos: 3 - Description: We choose to brighten up this small bathroom remodel with bold colored tile. The green tile accent wall round bathroom mirror and pendant lighting give the bathroom a unique personality. The modern floating vanity help to open up the bathroom and create the illusion of more space. The integrated sink makes this an easy to clean bathroom. We replaced the shower curtain with a frameless glass partition, another great small bathroom design idea. A glass shower shelf provides bathroom storage below… - [Astoria Queens \| Black Herringbone Industrial Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/astoria-queens-black-herringbone-industrial-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6982125) - Location: Queens, NY - Photos: 3 - Description: Black herringbone tile with white grout gives this bathroom remodel a bold contemporary look. Matte black bathroom fixtures add industrial details to this slick modern bathroom. An integrated sink sits on top of a floating oak vanity with open shelving for towels. The integrated sink makes this an easy to clean bathroom. A slab of marble look porcelain tile frames the black herringbone accent wall that is the centerpiece of the bathroom. Shower shelving is cleverly integrated into the wall throu… - [Long Island City Queens \| Scandinavian Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/long-island-city-queens-scandinavian-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6980761) - Location: Queens, NY - Photos: 3 - Description: We transformed this small windowless bathroom into a bright easy to clean bathroom with a Scandinavian modern look. The modern floating vanity and the glass shower enclosure help to open up the bathroom and are both great small bathroom ideas. The modern floating vanity is topped with an integrated sink. Finger pulls and flat front drawers give this bathroom a clean modern look. We choose to keep with the simple wood and white palette that gives a Scandinavian design that simple elegance. A flus… - [Englewood New Jersey \| Luxury Mediterranean Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/englewood-new-jersey-luxury-mediterranean-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6960042) - Location: Englewood, NJ - Photos: 4 - Description: Together with our client, we transformed a typical suburban bathroom into a unique Mediterranean inspired retreat. The large bathroom layout allowed us to build an extra-long bathroom vanity, a large walk-in shower, and a free-standing claw foot tub in front of the window. Blue patterned tile with an arabesque design creates an accent wall behind the tub and the bathroom backsplash. Colored tile is a great way to give a bathroom some personality. Simple linear wall sconces in brass provide great… - [Hunters Point Queens \| White on White Transitional Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hunters-point-queens-white-on-white-transitional-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6977589) - Location: Queens, NY - Photos: 4 - [Forest Hills \| Black and White Kitchen Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forest-hills-black-and-white-kitchen-renovation-pj-vj~6982209) - Location: Queens, NY - Photos: 5 - Description: We helped our clients transform this fixer upper in Forest Hills, renovating the kitchen, flooring, windows and stair railing. The clients were set on a black and white kitchen, but were uncertain about how to renovate the rest of the house. The existing windows were in terrible shape so we had to replace windows. We choose black window trim for a distinctive look that would tie back into the design of the kitchen. The black pendants, black shiplap kitchen island, black doors and black stair rai… [See all 24 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/buildplan-pfvwus-pf~1262973758) ## Ideabooks - [My Project](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/160823097/list/my-project) — 1 idea [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/buildplan) ## Community Q&A **Q: HELP please… How to space 3 pendant lights over 9’ island?** *(in Lighting)* My contractor is pushing me to tell him how to space 3 pendant lights that are 9” in width. Island is 108” or 9’ in length. I know that the middle pendant needs to be in the middle at 54”. How do I space the other two from the middle pendant? I read 30” apart? That would give me 24” or 2’ from the outer edge of the island. Is that too much? Should I space them 36” or 2’ apart and have 18” from the edge of the island? Please help as I need to make a decision today. Thanks!! A: Make sure that they are hung around 30-40" off the countertop. For your horizontal spacing, you can go down to 6" from the edge of the countertop if that ends up looking best. **Q: What size Pendant lighting for 8'x4' island?** *(in Lighting)* Hi, I have a 8'x4' kitchen island with 9' ceiling. I purchased the 24" Butte Pendant lights by rejuvenation and they seem overwhelmingly large in the box. Should I go with the 18" instead for my space? The length with cord is 36" from ceiling and 36" above countertop I believe. A: You could do a quick mockup with some cardboard and string. That will help you see if 24" is too bulky for your island. I think this fixture might look better if two or three are hung instead of one. With an 8' island 2 x 18" fixtures might be the way to go so you can separate them by at least 24-30" **Q: Summer vibes on the back deck!** *(in Home Decorating)* My back deck remodels are now complete! I just really like the moment when the breeze is blowing, the sunset falls on it, so relaxing! I have been benefiting from what other houzzers have shared, so today I'm really happy to share my decor with you guys. Hope it can help some people too! A: Looking great, all you need is some wine! **Q: How long is normal to wait for a quote?** *(in Remodeling)* We are doing a remodel of our kitchen, 3 1/2 bathrooms, flooring, and doing structural work including combining two adjacent bathrooms and a small bump out (50 sq ft). Our build design firm didn't give us a cost estimate until 3 months after they took measurements, and only for the kitchen. It's been more than 4 months now and we still don't have an estimate for the rest of the house. The build design firm said they don't give estimates until they are able to do a comprehensive evaluation (architectural, structural, etc.) of the work involved. Is that normal? In order for them to start any evaluation, we needed to give a $5K deposit that would be credited back toward the project cost. Or, we'd lose it if we went with another firm. I thought build/design firms and contractors can give rough quotes/estimates earlier than that so that the client can factor the cost into their decision-making for a build/design and contractor. There's no turning back for us now since we've already committed significantly on the kitchen and their in-house designer. Just wanted to ask this community if this is standard practice. Thank you! A: Where are you located? **Q: Porch now slightly below grade** *(in Porches & Decks)* We're in the process of lowering our screened in porch a foot as part of a renovation, which is creating an issue where it's not level with the patio when you walk out the door from the porch. We understand we have two options - 1) add a step inside the porch or 2) dig out some portion of the patio to match the new floor depth. Adding the step is the more economical less intensive option, but I worry about water coming in and whether it will be annoying to have the porch feel below deck. Has anyone encountered this issue? Any tips? A: I would want to put a trench drain or linear drain in front of what I presume would be a door to the kitchen on grade with the patio. This will provide another line of defense in case of heavy rain. It looks like you poured the concrete already so it might be too late? I would also want to make sure you have flashing by the brick where your patio touches your house. Luckily this is all covered, so there should be limited rain hitting your patio. **Q: Making a house as low/easy maintenance as possible** *(in Building a Home)* What tips do you have for making a house as low/easy maintenance as possible? All ideas welcome! my few thoughts so far - all brick/stone low ceilings so bulb changes are easy no mulch in the lawn! (pine straw instead where needed) What else? A: paper plates = 0 steps ! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*