Our Process

How a renovation
actually comes together.

Behind every finished space is a sequence of careful, code-compliant steps. Here's a look at how we manage a renovation from bare walls to final finish — with the construction detail explained at each stage.

Step by Step

Every stage matters —
especially the ones you never see.

A beautiful finish is only as good as what's behind it. The steps below walk through a typical kitchen and bath renovation, from demolition and rough-in through waterproofing, tiling, and installation — so you understand exactly what you're paying for at every phase.

01
Demolition & Prep

Strip back to the structure

We remove old cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes down to the studs and subfloor. This is where hidden problems — water damage, outdated wiring, uneven framing — get exposed and addressed before they become expensive surprises later.

  • Protection first — floors, hallways, and elevators are masked and covered before any work begins
  • Selective demo — only what needs to go is removed, preserving sound structure
  • Debris removal — coordinated haul-out that complies with building rules and hours
02
Rough-In

Plumbing, electrical & framing

With the space opened up, we run new plumbing lines, electrical circuits, and any framing changes. Everything is positioned precisely against the approved design — outlet heights, fixture rough-ins, and appliance connections are all set now, not improvised later.

  • To code, on paper — rough-in follows NYC building code and the filed plans
  • Measured twice — fixture and appliance positions confirmed against final specs
  • Inspection-ready — work staged so required inspections pass the first time
03
Waterproofing

The layer you'll never see

Before a single tile goes down, wet areas are waterproofed and substrates are leveled. This is the step that separates a bathroom that lasts twenty years from one that leaks into the unit below. It's invisible in the final photos — and it's the most important thing we do.

  • Full wet-area membrane — floors and walls sealed in showers and tubs
  • Slope & drainage — floors pitched correctly so water goes where it should
  • Level substrate — surfaces flattened so tile and stone sit true
04
Tile & Stone

Where precision shows

Tile and stone are set with careful attention to layout, alignment, and grout lines. We plan the layout so cuts land in the least visible places and patterns stay balanced across walls and floors — the difference between a job that looks installed and one that looks designed.

  • Layout planning — tile centered and balanced, awkward slivers designed out
  • Consistent lines — level, plumb, and even grout joints throughout
  • Clean transitions — edges, corners, and niches finished with proper trim
05
Installation

Cabinetry, fixtures & hardware

Cabinets are set level and secured, countertops are templated and installed, and fixtures and hardware are mounted. This is where the design becomes real — and where tight tolerances matter, so doors align, drawers glide, and every reveal is even.

  • Level & secured — cabinets shimmed and fastened to a true plane
  • Templated tops — countertops measured on-site for an exact fit
  • Dialed-in hardware — doors and drawers adjusted for even gaps and smooth action
06
Finish & Handover

The details that make it feel done

Caulking, touch-ups, final cleaning, and a walk-through close out the project. We check the details most people miss — even caulk lines, clean silicone joints, aligned outlet plates — and hand over a space that's ready to use, with documentation to match.

  • Finish detailing — caulk, silicone, and touch-ups done with a steady hand
  • Punch-list walk — we walk the space with you and resolve anything flagged
  • Documented handover — completion records and care guidance provided
Detail Guides

The specs that make or
break a renovation.

Reference guides on the dimensions, clearances, and code requirements behind a well-built kitchen and bath — the details that determine whether a design is actually buildable.

Photo coming soon
K01

Cabinet Installation Process

How cabinets are set level and secured — from establishing the high point of the floor and snapping level lines, to hanging uppers, shimming bases, and fastening to studs for a true, gap-free run.

Photo coming soon
K02

Kitchen Island Design Standards

The clearances that make an island work: minimum walkway around the perimeter, seating overhang depth, and the aisle width needed so appliance doors and drawers open without collision.

Photo coming soon
K03

Appliance Placement

Where each appliance belongs and why — the work-triangle logic between sink, range, and refrigerator, plus the landing space, ventilation, and rough-in each appliance requires.

Photo coming soon
B01

Shower Dimension Standards

The minimum footprint for a comfortable, code-compliant shower — interior size, clearance in front of the opening, curb height, and the bench and niche dimensions that actually work.

Photo coming soon
B02

Recessed Medicine Cabinet & Niche — Can You Build It?

How we determine whether a recessed medicine cabinet or shower niche is feasible: reading the wall for studs, plumbing, and electrical, checking depth against wall construction, and knowing when a load-bearing or wet wall rules it out.

Photo coming soon
B03

Outlet & Fixture Height Standards

The heights and clearances that keep a bathroom safe and code-compliant — GFCI outlet placement relative to the sink, vanity and mirror heights, and the required distance between electrical and water sources.

Get Started

Let's talk about
your project.

Whether you're planning a full renovation, starting with a design consultation, or exploring what's possible — we're the right team to call first. We cover all of NYC and Long Island.

  • Interior design & residential renovation
  • Procurement, material sourcing & vendor access
  • Construction management & permit coordination
  • Co-op / Condo Board package preparation
  • ADU & Long Island property upgrade programs
cyl@gprojectdesignstudio.com
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