The Brownstone Boys’ Do’s & Don’ts of Renovating

Tips from the Brownstone Boys, a Brooklyn-based duo, to help guarantee a smoother renovation

(Above) Jordan (left) and Barry (right) of the Brownstone Boys

When Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum purchased their 130-year-old brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant, they knew they were embarking on a significant renovation project. Their multi-story home, though filled with character, required a complete overhaul. The duo meticulously restored the historic woodwork, transformed the dated kitchen into a modern space, and created a stunning guest bathroom featuring subway tiles, a clawfoot tub, and a reclaimed door with chicken-wire glass. Their dedication to preserving the home’s original charm while modernizing its functionality has resulted in a beautiful and functional living space.

The Brownstone Boys shared some do’s and don’ts with Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects. Read more about how the 15-year Brooklyn veterans transformed their home on their Brownstone Boys blog.

Brownstone Boys: The “Do’s” of renovating:

1. Make sure you have the right team (contractor, architect, specialists)

It’s one of the first things you’ll do. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these professionals. Make sure they understand the project, have the skills needed, have a good track record, and are easy to communicate with.

2. Get together a solid budget and leave room for contingency

Surprises can be waiting when you open up the walls. Decisions you make in the design phase can also impact the budget. Making large structural changes can require the need for a structural engineer. HVAC plans may call for a mechanical engineer. Be prepared to set your priorities and create a budget that leaves room for the inevitable surprises. Depending on the size of your renovation, leave about a 10-20% contingency.

3. Get 3-5 estimates from contractors

Every contractor walkthrough is a learning opportunity. Quotes can vary significantly, and factors like in-house crews and specialized experience can impact pricing. Don’t be afraid to get multiple estimates (3-5 is ideal) to understand the full range of costs. Remember, the best bid isn’t always the cheapest. Consider factors like experience, reputation, and communication style when making your decision.

4. Plan on a lot of things taking longer than you expect 

Photo: Dave Sauerhoff

City approvals, landmarks approvals, plumbing inspections, finishes selection, and material delivery are all part of the process. Things along the way will also create delays. If you build in extra time, it will be much less stressful.

5. Organize your inspiration photos so you have a good sense of what you want

Photo: Dave Sauerhoff

For many people, going through a renovation will require making more decisions in a short period of time! It will take time and you’ll want to think about details and materials carefully. Start organizing your thoughts early so that you know what you want later.

6. Have at least weekly meetings with your contractor but remember they need their space to work

Effective communication is crucial for a successful renovation project. While you won’t be on-site daily, weekly walkthroughs are essential for reviewing progress, discussing any issues that have arisen, and planning future work.

Avoid micromanagement. Trust your contractor to work efficiently and effectively. If you find communication or trust issues, it might be a sign that you need to reevaluate your team. A good contractor will not only be skilled at their craft but will also be easy to work with and reliable.

7. Order finishes with proper lead times and the right quantities

Some finishes have longer lead times than others. If you don’t have enough of that custom tile to finish your bathroom, you might have a 6-8 week wait for more (whoops!)

Brownstone Boys: The “Don’ts” of renovating

1. Don’t live in a construction zone. We know it’s tempting.

Photo: Bridget Badore

The budget is tight and a month-long camping trip in your own house might sound fun, but the process can be stressful. It can easily spill over into the unmanageable. Don’t have a hard deadline to finish. Whether it’s a lease expiring, a previous home sold, a due date, have a backup plan should the project go over. It will be less stressful for you and your family and your contractor can focus on completing the renovation. It will likely be worth the expense to have some lease overlap or temporary living arrangements so that you have some breathing room.

2. Don’t change your mind—and your plans—throughout the process 

It’s one of the biggest causes of delays. Changing finishes, configuration, and plans mid-renovation will slow things down to a crawl. Make decisions early so that you have time to let them sink in so that any changes are made well before that phase starts.

3. Don’t put off work that can easily be done while walls are open and unpainted 

Your budget might require you to push some items to the future, but make sure they are projects that make sense to do once the main renovation is complete. For example, don’t add an AC system or move walls. You will destroy a lot of recently finished walls and floors. While your walls are open, do the projects that require any electrical or plumbing changes. Before the floors are finished, this is the time to move walls. Adding new windows or putting in that steel deck are items that could be put off for later. They likely won’t require you to undo what’s already been done. 

Thanks to the Brownstone Boys for sharing these invaluable tips for renovating! 

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Sweeten founder and CEO weighs in on what to know before renovating a brownstone.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.