Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we hear most before getting started with Brian Cash Works. Don't see your question? Write to us at studio@briancash.works.
Working With Us
What kinds of projects do you take on?
We design residences as well as hospitality and retail spaces, from a few rooms to gut renovations and new builds. Our favorite projects let us work on everything from the facade to the furniture.
Do you take projects outside New York and Atlanta?
Yes. We hold architecture licenses in New York and Georgia, and in other states we can team up with a local architect (AOR) who handles the official filings while we lead the design.
Do I need an architect, an interior designer, or both?
You need an architect if you're moving walls, changing plumbing or electrical, or doing anything that requires a permit, and an interior designer for furniture, lighting, and finishes. Hiring one studio for both means the rooms are planned around the way you’ll use and furnish the space from day one, which saves time and costly changes later.
Can you work with an architect or contractor we already have?
Yes. We can lead the design while your architect handles permits and filings, and we're happy to work with a full-service contractor you already trust.
What sets you apart?
You’ll work directly with our founder and principal, Brian Cash, a Yale-trained architect and interior designer whose career includes three AD100 and Elle Decor A-List firms over the past decade. We take on only a few new clients each quarter, so that Brian stays involved in every decision.
What's your design style?
We don't limit ourselves to a certain style. Each project starts with how you live and the character of the building, so no two projects will look alike. That being said, we apply our aesthetic lens to give you something that feels both personal and singular.
Can we keep some of our furniture and art?
Of course. We'll help you decide what to keep, reupholster, or move to a new room, and design around the pieces that matter most to you and align with the project’s goals.
Process & Timeline
What does working together look like?
Every stage ends with something you can see and approve, so you always know where things stand. Here's what you'll have along the way.
A lookbook of precedent images, so we agree on the look before any real design begins
A design you've signed off on, with a budget range attached
A complete set of drawings that contractors can price and the city can approve
Contractor bids laid out side by side so you can choose with confidence
Permits and building approvals in hand
A finished home that matches the drawings, furnished and installed
How long will my project take?
Design includes the time it takes to get permits and building approvals, and construction is the time your contractor is on site. These are typical ranges, and co-op boards, landmarks review, and custom furniture can add time.
Furnishings only. 2 to 3 months of design, then 4 to 6 months for ordering and installation
Cosmetic renovation (new finishes, no layout changes). 2 to 4 months of design, then 2 to 4 months of construction
Gut renovation. 5 to 8 months of design and approvals, then 6 to 12 months of construction
New build. 6 to 12 months of design and approvals, then 12 to 18 months of construction
Do you handle permits and approvals?
Yes. We prepare everything the Department of Buildings, Landmarks, and your co-op, condo, or HOA board require, and we always bring in an expediter, a specialist who moves filings through the city, because on a construction project time is money.
Do you help find a contractor?
Yes. We send your drawings to contractors we trust or to one you already know, then help you compare bids line by line so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Do we need to move out during construction?
For a gut renovation, almost always, and many co-op and condo buildings limit how long work can run. For lighter projects we can often phase the work so you can stay, and we'll talk it through early so you can plan.
Are you involved once construction starts?
Yes, we stay on as your advocate through construction, a role architects call construction administration. That means answering the contractor's questions, checking materials and samples before they're ordered, and visiting the site at key moments so what gets built matches the design.
Fees & Budget
How do you charge?
Our design fee is a fixed amount based on the scope of your project, rather than a percentage of what you spend on construction. You pay a deposit to start and the rest in equal monthly payments, and our time during construction is billed hourly since it depends on the contractor's pace.
What will construction cost?
Before design starts, we can give you a rough cost per square foot so you can see whether your budget and goals line up. These ballpark figures cover construction only for the level of finish we usually design, and real numbers come from contractor bids once the drawings are done.
NYC cosmetic renovation. $150 to $300 per square foot
NYC gut renovation. $400 to $800 per square foot, with townhouses, kitchens, and baths at the higher end
Atlanta renovation. $200 to $450 per square foot
Atlanta new build. $400 to $700 per square foot
How do you keep a project on budget?
We track costs from the first meeting and update them as the design develops. We'll tell you where spending makes a visible difference and where a less expensive choice will look just as good.
How does buying furniture work?
On interiors projects we handle sourcing, ordering, tracking, and delivery, and you pay our trade cost plus a procurement fee. Trade pricing means discounts and makers available only to design professionals, and on architecture-only projects we pass those discounts straight to you with no fee.
What other costs should we plan for?
You'll pay your contractor directly for construction, along with separate fees for surveyors, engineers, permits, and the expediter. If we're furnishing your home, plan for storing pieces that arrive before installation, and we'll list all of these early so nothing surprises you.
Getting Started
How do we get started?
Share your project or book a call to see if we're a good fit. From there we schedule a 60-minute discovery call [fee $X], credited toward your design fee if we work together, usually followed by a visit to your space.
What should we have ready?
Your location, ideal timeline, goals, and a rough budget for both construction and furnishings. Photos, floor plans, or images of spaces you love are helpful too.
How soon can you start?
We take on up to three new clients each quarter so every project gets our full attention. If you have a target date, reach out early and we'll tell you where our calendar stands.