Universal Designers Near Brooklyn

“We bought an apartment in Hell’s Kitchen and after much research selected KBR Design and Build to lay new floors and remodel the kitchen and bathroom. We knew little about the workings of NY condo ownership, so it was essential to have an experienced firm work with our building management to navigate the complicated process of submitting drawings, securing permits, and addressing legal and practical issues. KBR did this work effectively. Having a contractor and designer who worked well together in the same office made it possible for the design and renovation to be done in NYC while we were across the country. Early on, our designer Edison was most responsive in his almost daily communications. He presented us with choices based on what we were seeking and then helped us to finalize selections. The kitchen backsplash was his idea, and it is one of the prettiest aspects of the remodel. He also listened when we said we didn't like something he suggested and came back with something we did. There may have been some measurement issues along the way but given the distance it is hard to know exactly what went wrong, and in the end, everything was resolved to our satisfaction. But the lead contractor Chris O is really why this is a 5 star review. From the moment he was assigned to our project, nearly all concerns we had were addressed quickly and things went smoothly. We are VERY picky, and he made sure that every single thing on our punch list was attended to. All of the walls - even closets - were painted. When a subcontractor or worker was sloppy or forgot to do something (and this did happen) Chris made sure that they came back and made it right. We ordered very expensive custom kitchen cabinets that were not installed to our liking and Chris worked with the company to ensure that the work was redone properly, even being onsite when they returned to make certain it was right. He is a skilled communicator and good person who we enjoyed working with. He himself returned long after the work was complete to install door stops and quiet the shower door squeak. We ordered a custom shower drain cover which didn’t work with the existing drain, and Chris went the extra mile to have it machine fabricated so it would function correctly. The whole of the renovation took about a month or 6 weeks longer than what they estimated which seemed like a win given how renovations often go. We love the apartment and the work that KBR did for us.”

“A to Z is very professional and their work is impeccable. Ady is one of the designers and she is definitely very good at what she does. The entire team from beginning to end was professional. 10 out of 10.”

“If your looking for a one stop design and build company, look no further. I highly recommend SmartDesign to anyone looking to do renovations! SmartDesign took my my outdated, dark apartment and turned it into my dream home. Their attention to detail, transparency, communication and dedication fosters a relationship of trust. They were amazing partners and the end results wen above and beyond my expectations. Having never done a renovation before, I was a bit nervous when embarking on a gut reno with my first NYC apartment. I was looking for a full service company that could design the space and manage & lead the construction. I interviewed a number of companies and from the first time I met Alan and Ryan from SmartDesign I was put at ease. Their knowledge was evident, they was honest in their assessment, able to explain the process and willing to answer all my questions. They knew this was my first time doing a renovation, and took their time going into detail and explaining the steps and budget. I didn’t have all the money in the world and being my first time doing a renovation, I was nervous about getting sandbagged on cost. SmartDesign was very fair, they were able to help me understand costs and come up with cost efficient solutions. Even going so far as dissuading me away from things that would undoubtedly bring in more money for them but wasn’t the best solution for what I wanted. The design experience was awesome. Nicolette is a very talented designer. She understood my aesthetic and brought beautiful designs to the table. She really thought of every little detail. From how to make the space feel bigger by having the doors go to the ceiling or maximizing closet space. To small things like ensuring the hinges on all doors matched the brass detail elsewhere. The team also brought idea to the table and helped me install them to make my home a smart home, something I never thought of that I absolutely love. The team handled the whole process, from getting board approval, permits, design and construction. They were transparent with me and set my expectations and always came with solutions when things came up as they always do during construction, especially during a pandemic. The end result far exceeded my expectations. I could not have found a more capable, trust worthy and talented company to work with. I would work with them again and very highly recommend them to anyone looking to do a renovation. With the SmartDesign team you are in great hands!”