--- title: "essential design + build — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/essential-design-build-pfvwus-pf~2081592781 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2081592781.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "essential design + build" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2a13bd6804c2d3de_4410-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "New York, New York 10017, United States" latitude: 40.7517 longitude: -73.9707 phone: "(646) 432-7222" website: http://www.essentialdesignbuild.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 84 last_updated: 2026-08-16 --- # essential design + build Original Houzz profile: [essential design + build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/essential-design-build-pfvwus-pf~2081592781) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** New York, NY - **Serves:** New York City, Manhattan - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2022), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 10,000 Ideabook Saves Essential Design + Build is a turn-key contractor with full architectural, construction, interior design, and decorating expertise. Driven by years of experience and astute attention to detail, our versatile team collaborates directly with clients on design, planning and implementation to achieve award-winning results. Our office staff consists of architectural designers, interior designers, decorators, project managers, field superintendents and Department of Buildings expeditor. In the field, we retain a full crew of carpenters, millworkers and laborers. Our full range of services can be tailored to suit any space in the commercial, residential, retail, hospitality and industrial sectors. We regularly update our software and exposure to new materials in order to maintain cutting-edge capabilities in designing and rendering innovative projects for our clients. As a certified US Green Building Council Contractor, we are able to provide sustainable construction that respects environmental integrity. Additionally we have LEED accredited staff members on our team. Our experienced architectural designers work with established and respected manufacturers and fabrication studios, ensuring that upon completion of construction, our clients will be rewarded with distinctive and skillfully crafted spaces. The unique diversity of our personnel allows us to both complement one another's skills and to challenge each other creatively and professionally. Formerly known as Atco Construction, we have built a solid reputation for top-quality craftsmanship since 1971. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - General Contracting - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - New York City - Manhattan ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - $5M ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | essential design + build | | Address | New York, New York 10017, United States | | Phone | (646) 432-7222 | | Website | http://www.essentialdesignbuild.com | | License Number | NYC 1428009 | | Followers on Houzz | 84 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/essentialdesignbuild/timeline - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/intent/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen\_name=essntldsgnbld - Blog — http://www.pinterest.com/essntldsgnbld/ ## Offers (DEMO) OFFERS _(DEMO) DISCLAIMER_ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [essential design + build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/essential-design-build-pfvwus-pf~2081592781) - **Website:** http://www.essentialdesignbuild.com - **Phone:** (646) 432-7222 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2022), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — Measuredworks Architecture, Dec. 2017** > As an architect I've worked with Essential Design Build on several projects. Rich and his team were dedicated and responsive throughout the process, from pricing to punch list, and really worked to make sure the client and the design team were satisfied. **★★★★★ — Nichole Saland, Sept. 2017** > It was a pleasure working with essential design + build! > > They were professional, timely, and most of all, they delivered EXCELLENT results. I've worked with many other firms, and this was the first company that had the combination of great craftsmen, extreme professionalism, incredible responsiveness, and ATTENTION TO DETAIL. I also found their pricing fair and transparent. They never hesitated to qualify their costs, if asked. > > Our project was completed well ahead of the proposed completion date, and we continue to marvel everyday at the space! I highly recommend working with them. You won't be disappointed. **★★★★★ — david b, April 2017** > very professional organization with the project well planned and executed right around budget and timeframe that was discussed. also, bids came in at a very reasonable rate ## Selected projects - [Flatiron Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flatiron-penthouse-pj-vj~3124015) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Flower District Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flower-district-loft-pj-vj~2774606) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [East Village Triplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-village-triplex-pj-vj~2274071) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 12 - Description: Along with the architectural team at Atema Architecture PLLC, we were commissioned to transform and reimagine a three-story, 1,500 square-foot apartment for a busy family of four this past summer. The home includes a 2 bedroom suite for the children on the lower level, and a Master Suite for the adults on the mezzanine, separated by the more public living spaces in between. - [East Side Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-side-residence-pj-vj~3123976) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Summer Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/summer-street-residence-pj-vj~890432) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 15 - Description: This single family home in historic Forest Hills Gardens, Queens, NY was entirely renewed with the coordinated effort of the construction manager, Essential Design + Build, the architect Daniel Flebut, DF Architect PC and the homeowner, herself an interior architect and designer. The interior of the home was taken back to the framing and extensively reorganized around the kitchen, pantry and family rooms to better function for the family. Essential Design + Build lead the reconstruction which in… - [Columbia University Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/columbia-university-residence-pj-vj~7152120) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 7 - [Columbia University Residence 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/columbia-university-residence-2-pj-vj~7152135) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 3 - [East 78th Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-78th-street-residence-pj-vj~974908) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 12 - Description: Working with renowned interior designers McMillen Inc. and Larson & Paul Architects, we renovated a two-bedroom, two-bathrrom co-op on the Upper East Side and completed the project early in 2015. While simultaneously integrating new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure, the project’s aesthetic finishes consisted of: marble bathrooms, custom millwork, stainless steel countertops and backsplashes, wall coverings, and various faux finishes on the walls and floors. State of the art el… - [77th Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/77th-street-residence-pj-vj~974863) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 9 - Description: Working with Robert Kaner Interior Design to refresh a family’s residence on the Upper East Side required extreme precision and care. Construction took place while the family inhabited the home, and consisted of a cosmetic upgrade to the kitchen, new media room millwork, and the gut remodeling of three other bathrooms throughout the home. - [Essential Design + Build Portfolio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/essential-design-build-portfolio-pj-vj~882234) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 23 - [Forest Hills Gardens Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forest-hills-gardens-residence-pj-vj~890390) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 9 - Description: We completely gutted and restored this historic 1940’s home in the prestigious, landmarked section of Forest Hills Gardens, Queens. Our work included a complete exterior restoration from landscaping to roofs. The entire interior of the house and much of the original structure was completely redone. This project was featured in the May 2009 issue of Metropolitan Home magazine. - [Park Avenue Kitchen Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/park-avenue-kitchen-renovation-pj-vj~890482) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 7 - [H&A Gallery](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/handa-gallery-pj-vj~890710) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 3 - [Fifth Avenue Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fifth-avenue-residence-pj-vj~890511) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 8 - [Central Park South Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/central-park-south-residence-pj-vj~890592) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 30 - Description: As construction managers, we partnered with a prominent NYC design firm to join five apartments into one. Everything between the slabs was removed and replaced. Highlights of the project include: all new mechanical and electric services, new exterior doors and windows, new terraces on 3 sides of the apartment, brick work, lintel replacement, 23 new rooms including a kitchen, 4 bathrooms, 2 half baths, laundry room and exercise facility. We also installed integrated audio/video/thermal controls,… - [Renovations Before & After](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovations-before-and-after-pj-vj~6596021) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Residential Corridor Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/residential-corridor-renovation-pj-vj~2274152) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/essential-design-build-pfvwus-pf~2081592781) ## Community Q&A **Q: Sink placement** *(in Photo Questions)* Is the sink installed flush against the back wall or forward a few inches? A: The sink was installed a couple of inches away from the wall. **Q: love the counter tops** *(in Photo Questions)* could you please share material and color? A: the counters are a white quartz material **Q: Love the ceiling design** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello, I like your Kitchen design. Is the ceiling tiled or wall-papered?Also, which reconstituted stone colour is on the island and benchtops. Thanks for your help. Therese A: Yes, the ceiling is paper by David Hicks. The counter surfaces are Silestone -color Platinum Chrome. **Q: What material is on the kitchen celing? Where can it be purchased?** *(in Photo Questions)* Summer Street residence. Material on kitchen ceiling? Where can it be purchased? Thank you, J.Marcon jmarcon19@gmail.com A: David Hicks wallpaper **Q: floor** *(in Photo Questions)* what is the manufacturer name and color of the floor? A: It is a custom stain on white oak **Q: ceiling** *(in Photo Questions)* is there a response with respect to the ceiling manufacturer? A: The wallpaper is by David Hicks --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*