How Skipping a Designer Led to a Pricier Design

So, you’ve just bought your dream apartment in New York City—congrats! You’ve braved the real estate jungle, conquered the bank’s paperwork mountain, and even charmed the

building board through their approval maze. But now comes the next challenge: hiring a contractor. The building super recommends someone he claims is a renovation wizard, and of course, there’s a little wink-wink commission involved—hey, that’s just how business rolls in the city, right? You think, “Great, I’ll just pick out some inspiration images and let the magic happen!”

Except, the cost of skipping an interior designer will ultimately be more expensive than hiring one. Instead of a smooth makeover, you’re plunged into a renovation horror story with a contractor who’s got a knack for turning dreams into budget-busting nightmares. As the chaos escalates, an interior designer finally gets the SOS call (a bit late, but better late than never), swooping in to salvage what’s left and turning a costly disaster into, fingers crossed, a design win—saving the clients from a financial crash. And let me tell you, the story you’re about to read isn’t the first time I’ve seen this happen.

I met this couple through an acquaintance at a dinner party, and when they shared their plan to channel their inner interior designer and DIY their new apartment to save some

money, I couldn’t help but wave a red flag. I suggested they at least let a designer handle the design and drawings. I even offered my services—after all, I’m not the priciest in town—and promised to connect them with a reliable contractor to handle the rest. But nope, they were set on doing it themselves. I still passed over the details of two trusted contractors I’ve worked with, just in case.

The wife—who’s become a friend through all this—has an impressive eye for design, but mixing and matching without a solid plan turned their dream project into a chaotic mess. To make matters worse, they took a gamble on the building super’s contractor recommendation without doing any due diligence. Apparently, his quote was the cheapest, and he’s worked on so many apartments in the building that he practically knows it like the back of his hand. Well, too bad knowing the building inside and out doesn’t make for a winning project.

Fast forward to now, that friend came to me for a bit of design therapy over a drink. She spilled the beans on their renovation disaster. The list of “surprises” from their so-called acclaimed contractor was growing longer than the latest binge series, and they ended up with a bill bigger than their apartment’s mortgage. To top it off, the renovation was taking a toll on her relationship too.

First up, the contractor insisted certain layout changes were a no-go after all—something any savvy designer would have signaled from the start. This oversight meant extra work, which meant extra costs. Any construction professional would warn about these issues from the start. Then, he “discovered” that the bathroom pipes needed replacing—news he conveniently forgot to mention in the initial proposal but sprung on them later as a costly add-on. In a classic New York building, new pipes are about as optional as sunscreen at the beach—they should have been part of the original plan.

And the pièce de résistance? His quote for the woodwork was so outrageous it could have been mistaken for a typo. When she showed me the estimate, I nearly spilled my Gin Basil. It wasn’t just high—it was sky high. So, I did what any professional designer would do: I rang up my favorite custom millwork company. A couple of days later, they swung by, took measurements, and sent over a quote that was— wait for it —70% less than the contractor's! Yes, 70% less.

Understandably, the couple was furious. They’d been not just awfully overcharged but had their trust in contractors shattered. This one promptly landed on my “do-not-engage”

list, and I’m betting they won’t be sending him referrals anytime soon.

This whole ordeal really highlights why having an interior designer should be at the top of your renovation to-do list. We’re not just here to make your space look fabulous—we also handle the mess, keep your budget from spiraling, and make sure you don’t end up paying for a couture gown when all you need is some chic loungewear. Just think how much easier and more budget-friendly their renovation could have been if they’d brought me on board from the start. Trust me, saving your sanity and your dollars is totally worth it. So, hire a design pro and skip the drama—your future self will thank you!

When you’re ready to dive into your next project, rest assured we’re all ears and eager to help. Drop us a line, and let’s chat about how we can transform your space with minimal stress and maximum style.

Curious about our process? Send us an email, and we’ll happily send over our Investment Guide. Let’s turn your vision into a stunning reality!

#NYCRenovations #InteriorDesignNYC #NYCApartments #InteriorDesign #DesignTrends #2025Design #newyork #renovationmadness #townhouserenovation #nycrealestate