Notes from the
build site and the studio.
Cost guides, material breakdowns, permit notes, and the kind of writing we wish we’d had when we started. Practical, specific, and free of the usual contractor-blog filler.
Guide·May 24, 2026·9 minHow much does a rooftop deck cost in NYC?
A frank breakdown of what drives the budget on a Manhattan or Brooklyn rooftop — square footage, materials, structural realities, and what the cheaper bids usually leave out.
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Guide·May 24, 2026·8 minBrownstone backyard ideas that actually work in NYC
Eight layouts and material moves for the typical 20-foot-wide Brooklyn or Manhattan rear yard — what survives the light, the neighbors, and a real family.
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Guide·May 24, 2026·7 minDo I need DOB approval for a rooftop deck in NYC?
Plain English on when a NYC rooftop project needs DOB filings, when LPC gets involved, what your building's engineer signs, and how long the whole approval path actually takes.
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More posts in the pipeline — DOB permits, IPE vs. porcelain pavers, brownstone backyard ideas, outdoor kitchen costs. Check back, or just send us your project — that’s why we write these.