Material Selection & Procurement
Services

One benefit of working with a full-service design-build firm like Gallery is we remove the guesswork, making home renovations streamlined as possible. We do this by handling all material selection, procurement, and inspection. Learn the details of our material selection and procurement process below, along with factors affecting material selection in construction. 

Faucet for bathroom renovation New York City

Award-Winning Design-Build Firm In New York City

About Gallery KBNY

Gallery KBNY is an award-winning, full-service design-build firm specializing in the architecture, interior design, and renovation of apartments, co-ops, condominiums, townhomes, and lofts across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our integrated team of architects, designers, contractors, and project managers — with a founding partner involved in every project — manages every phase from board approvals and DOB permitting through design and construction. Because architecture, design, permitting, and construction are coordinated under one roof, the process remains streamlined, accountable, and transparent from start to finish. Our work has been recognized by Forbes, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Inc., and we have received Houzz Best of Design & Service seven consecutive years, along with 100+ five-star client reviews.

10 to 16 Months
Consultation to move-in
$450 to $650/sq ft
Upper mid-tier to luxury
100+ Five-Star Reviews
Across Manhattan & Northern Brooklyn
Featured In
The New York Times & Architectural Digest

As a full-service design-build firm in NYC that drives our clients’ renovations from start to finish, we are proud recipients of various awards in service and design – six years in a row and counting. Our mission is to maintain a level of service and design that always raises the bar. That's why our clients consistently leave 5-star reviews. From Brooklyn to Manhattan, we apply our expertise to everything from co-ops and condos to lofts and pre-war apartments.

Pre-war bathroom renovation New York City
Pre-war apartment renovation NYC

Material Sourcing

As an all-inclusive design-build firm in New York City we curate all the finishes and fixtures your renovation requires – everything from penny tiles in the bathroom and chandeliers for the foyer to the whole world of finishes and fixtures in between. We are not limited in material choices, as we are brand agnostic and able to purchase any item from any vendor, anywhere, on your behalf. With Gallery, you don’t set foot in a showroom unless desired. If stuck at home, we’ll bring material samples to you.

Material Cost

Material quality and cost are typically the biggest variables in renovation expenses. When considering cost of materials, we let the client decide, making recommendations as needed to ensure the most desirable design possible. We always pass our trade discounts to clients.

Quality Over Brand

Many clients want specific brands, but often don’t consider quality. When choosing brands for essential materials, we always recommend choosing quality over brand name appeal. We not only want our renovations to look beautiful, we want them to stand the test of time.

Account For Availability

Availability of desired materials can often dictate renovation timeline, so we always allow time for delays, in order to avoid project hold-ups 

Why Materials Are Ordered Before Demolition
Typical Lead Times By Material Category
The longest-lead items set the procurement schedule. Ordering these during the planning phase is how a 4 to 6 month construction window stays intact.
Custom cabinetry & millwork · 12 to 16 weeks
Custom & landmark-approved windows · 10 to 16 weeks
Panel-ready & luxury appliances · 8 to 16 weeks
Imported stone & quarried slabs · 6 to 12 weeks
Custom window treatments · 6 to 10 weeks
Specialty & European plumbing fixtures · 4 to 10 weeks
In-stock tile & standard fixtures · 1 to 4 weeks
0 weeks
8 weeks
16 weeks
Ranges reflect typical Gallery KBNY procurement experience and vary by vendor, finish level, and market conditions. Because Gallery is brand-agnostic and vendor-agnostic, in-stock alternatives can substitute for long-lead items when the design allows, and trade discounts pass to the client either way.
Pre-war apartment renovation NYC

Procurement & Inspection

Once the materials are secured, our responsibility is a smooth, timely delivery that keeps the renovation on schedule and within budget.

Procurement Is A Logistics Discipline
Five Quality Gates Between Purchase & Installation
In an NYC building, getting a slab or a range from the vendor to the wall involves the building itself. Each gate exists so problems surface with time to fix them.
01
Transport Feasibility Check
Before purchase, project coordinators confirm each item can physically reach the unit. A slab that cannot travel eight floors of a pre-war stair, or a range that clears neither elevator nor door swing, gets an alternative specified up front rather than a crisis at the curb.
02
Building-Coordinated Delivery
Deliveries are scheduled around the building's rules: freight elevator reservations, permitted delivery hours, lobby and hallway protection, and certificates of insurance from delivery vendors where the managing agent requires them.
03
Check-In Inspection
Design liaisons inspect every arrival against the specification: correct model, correct finish, correct dimensions, and zero dings or scratches. Verifying far in advance of installation leaves time to return and replace without touching the construction schedule.
04
Protected On-Site Staging
Checked-in materials are staged and protected within the work zone, behind the same dust barriers and ventilation controls that keep the rest of the home livable during construction. Finished goods stay pristine while rough work continues around them.
05
Sequenced Installation
Installation follows the construction sequence rather than the delivery sequence, so countertops wait for cabinets and fixtures wait for tile. The same liaisons who checked materials in confirm each installation matches the renderings the client approved.
Gallery KBNY project coordinators and design liaisons run every gate on every project, keeping the renovation on schedule and the client out of the logistics entirely.

Transportation

Our project coordinators procure every selection, while also handling the logistics of material delivery. The heavier the materials, the more they will cost to transport, which is something we consider when purchasing. For instance, if certain materials can not easily be taken up 8 floors of a pre-war apartment building, alternatives are considered up-front. 

Inspection

As deliveries are made amidst construction, our design liaisons inspect and check-in all materials, making sure there are no design mix-ups, dings, or scratches far in advance of installation - allowing enough time to send back anything, without disrupting the timeline. 

Construction & Installation

Beyond beauty, our material selection also considers all forseen formalities that could throw off the timeline.

Health & Safety

Things tend to get messy during closed-quarter NYC renovations. That’s why we always take added precaution when prepping spaces prior to remodel, thoroughly blocking off rooms with dust barriers and implementing proper ventilation whenever needed to ensure clients don’t have to leave amidst the project. 

Building Compliance

Certain types of NYC buildings require specific materials upon renovation. For instance, in many pre-war buildings, there are enhanced interior waterproofing requirements and moisture-sensing shut-off valves. Many co-op boards require specific sound-proof insulation. Our designers and liaisons keep these restrictions in mind when ordering materials, keeping design in mind and timelines unscathed. 

The Building Gets A Vote On Your Finishes
Materials NYC Buildings Commonly Mandate
Alteration agreements and building codes shape material selection before taste enters the conversation. These are the requirements that most often surface in Manhattan and Brooklyn buildings.
Requirement
Where It Comes From
What It Means For Selection
Sound Attenuation Under Flooring
Alteration agreements frequently specify acoustic underlayment with minimum impact ratings for new hard flooring, and many co-ops carry the traditional rule requiring carpet over most of the floor area.
Underlayment thickness enters the floor build-up early, affecting transitions, door clearances, and which flooring products qualify for board approval.
Enhanced Wet-Area Waterproofing
Pre-war boards in particular often require membrane systems and shower pans beyond the code minimum, protecting the units below from the building's aging structure.
Waterproofing assemblies are specified alongside the tile, since the system underneath determines substrate, floor height, and drain details.
Leak Detection & Shut-Off Valves
Many buildings mandate moisture-sensing automatic shut-off valves on washers, ice makers, and in some cases the full unit supply.
Valve and sensor hardware joins the plumbing order list up front, with appliance selections checked for compatibility before purchase.
Fire-Rated Assemblies & Windows
Building codes set minimum durability and fire ratings for certain elements, and lot-line conditions in older buildings can require fire-rated window units.
Fire-rated windows can run upward of $5,000 per opening, a budget line identified during the initial assessment rather than discovered mid-construction.
Approved HVAC & Through-Wall Units
Buildings commonly restrict condenser placement, facade penetrations, and through-wall equipment to approved models and locations.
Mechanical selections are confirmed against the building's approved list before design renders lock in, protecting both the layout and the approval timeline.
Landmark-Compliant Exterior Materials
In historic districts, the LPC governs visible materials down to window profiles and paint colors, as with the custom historic-blue door on our Carroll Gardens brownstone.
Exterior selections are specified to landmark standards before ordering, since a non-compliant purchase means re-fabrication and a lost review cycle.
Requirements vary by building and alteration agreement. Gallery KBNY's designers and liaisons confirm each building's material mandates before ordering, keeping design intent and timelines intact.

Performance

Do the materials look good? Of course. Are they sustainable? They better be. Performance is among the most important factors affecting material selection in construction.

Structural Support

With major interior renovations that require tearing down walls, such as turning two NYC apartments into one, long-standing structural capability of the building must be considered when choosing materials. The proper selection of materials can limit the dated or excess material use and increase the property’s adaptability for additional uses. 

Durability

Certain NYC building codes set minimum required levels of durability for different building elements, a key influence in the material selection up-front. For instance, certain buildings may mandate fire-rated windows, which offer added protection in older pre-war buildings - but can also cost upward of $5,000 per window. 

Some Of Our Favorite Material Selections

Common FAQs about construction management during nyc Renovations

How Does Gallery's Construction Site Management Service Offer Coordination Among Multiple Specializations During A Luxury NYC Renovation?

Managing a high-end residential renovation in New York City requires continuous, expert oversight to coordinate various specialized trades, including master plumbers, licensed electricians, and custom millworkers. Our dedicated on-site project managers supervise daily operations, ensuring that every subcontractor adheres strictly to the architectural plans, design specifications, and quality standards. This constant presence allows us to resolve technical challenges immediately, maintain a clean and organized workspace, and keep the construction schedule moving forward without costly delays or communication gaps.

What Protocols Are Implemented To Guarantee Full Compliance With NYC Department Of Buildings (DOB) Safety Regulations And Permitting Requirements?

Operating within the dense urban environment of New York City demands strict adherence to complex municipal building codes and safety standards to prevent costly violations or project shutdowns. Our site management team possesses extensive knowledge of NYC DOB regulations, managing all necessary safety filings, site inspections, and permit renewals. We implement rigorous safety protocols on every job site, including proper protective equipment usage, secure material storage, and safe waste disposal, ensuring a secure working environment that protects both the craftsmen and the building's residents.

How Can Homeowners Monitor The Daily Progress And Logistical Milestones Of Their NYC Renovation Project Remotely?

Staying informed about your renovation's progress is essential, especially for busy professionals or clients who are residing elsewhere during construction. We utilize a centralized, digital project management platform that provides real-time updates on your project's status, including daily logs, progress photographs, and upcoming schedule milestones. This transparent communication tool allows you to review design approvals, track material deliveries, and communicate directly with your project manager, ensuring you remain fully connected to your renovation journey from any location.

Start The Renovation Process

Ready to renovate and considering Gallery? Read our client testimonials, like this one who said we “did a great job advising on many decisions that made our apartment better and more comfortable.” Contact us to speak with one of our design consultants and start the process. 

Manhattan Design-Build

Pre-Purchase Renovation Assessment

Evaluate Your Manhattan Apartment
Before You Buy

Gallery KBNY is an award-winning, full-service design-build firm specializing in the architecture, design, and renovation of apartments, co-ops, condos, townhomes, and lofts across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our in-house team — with a founding partner involved in every project — manages every phase from board approvals through construction. No outsourcing, no handoffs, no gaps in accountability.

As seen in

| | | |
★★★★★ 100+ Five-Star Reviews Best of Design & Service · 7 Years Running

Pre-Purchase Assessment

We conduct pre-purchase renovation assessments for buyers during the contract period. Walk the apartment with us before you commit — understand the full scope, cost, and timeline before closing.

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