How can we help you?
All your architectural needs taken care of.
We offer full-scale new home designs from the ground up. No detail is arbitrary. We'll create a design that matches your individuality. Not only do we provide you with a beautiful design plan, but we will be a helping hand at every step of the process, through bidding and permitting, and we regularly visit the site during construction to ensure that the final product achieves Hierarchy's high standard of detailing.
GROUND-UP NEW HOMES
INTERIOR REMODELING
Our interior remodels range from small, single rooms, to large-scale full interior & total gut renovations. Whatever the project, we'll create a design that compliments the existing features while breathing new life into your home. Our team of experts will work with you to bring your vision to life starting with a process we call "The Program" or "Wish List". Then we help prioritize your goals within the constraints of the existing conditions, your budget and time-frame. Check out past Interior Remodels.
Kitchen & bathroom remodels are often the centerpiece of home renovation projects and if you are looking to upgrade these areas of your home you've come to the right place! T.J. Costello is Long Island's only dual-certified Architect & NKBA Kitchen Designer. T.J. and our team understand that functionality is just as important as design and we'll create a design for you that is beautiful and functions flawlessly with the makeup of your family (including pets!). Check out some of our past Kitchen Renovations and Bathroom Renovations.
KITCHEN & BATHROOM RENOVATION
Restoring timeless, classic old homes is a specialty service we've become known for on Long Island. Working mostly with Tudor and Colonial style homes, we create "new-old homes" that maintain the beautiful architectural features of the original home, but restore them to look brand new again. It takes a special design ability to ensure that all the new design features transition seamlessly into the existing home's composition. Check out our past Restoration Projects.
CLASSIC HOME RESTORATION
We offer specialized custom millwork and metal solutions, creating unique designs for our clients. We tailor specific requests from our clients or recommend unique designs for your home that require custom creations. These designs include, wainscot paneling, ceiling beams, wrought-iron railings, storage cabinets, kitchen storage, mud rooms, laundry rooms, pet cage/pet care storage, closets, crown molding, grout matching restoration masonry and exterior brickwork. Check out some of our Custom Millwork designs.
CUSTOM MILLWORK & METALS
BEACH & VACATION HOMES
With plenty of beachfront property on Long Island, Hierarchy offers beautiful custom designed beach & vacation homes. These secondary homes provide a relaxing escape and are carefully planned and constructed with your family in mind. We ensure all our beach homes meet all town regulations or requirements. Each unique cottage is built with the highest structural integrity giving you peace of mind that the home is fit to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Creating effective public housing requires a keen ability to balance budgeting and design. Our staff at Hierarchy is well suited tackle this challenge. We design these rent-stabilized developments with the same care and detail of a single family home. The result is a property that's design appeals to all families and creates a sense of community within the residents. The multi-family apartments are ideal for renting to retired seniors and low-income families. Check out one of our recent Multi-Family Housing Projects.
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING
We renovate bars, restaurants, and other commercial, hospitality or entertainment spaces. With a focus on building a unique atmosphere for your customers, we will create a design that is not only stunning, but maximizes the economic potential of the space as well. One of our most recent commercial projects revived Publicans American Tavern, a storied Manhasset pub immortalized in the best-selling memoir "The Tender Bar" by J.R. Moehringer. Check out the photos here.
COMMERCIAL HOSPITALITY
FAQ
We have been designing homes for 30 years and over the course of time have honed our process into 5 Phases that are both informative and transparent. Every team member at Hierarchy shares a common goal – making the client happy and providing a timeless design that will make you fall in love with your home, whether it be the first time or all over again. Our approach is explained below to guide you through the renovation process.
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THE HIERARCHY PROCESS
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PHASE I:
DISCOVERY
To begin, you will meet with our Principal, T.J. Costello, whose initial task is to go over your wish list and understand your use of the space you are choosing to renovate or build. At this initial meeting, your scope of work, budget, time schedule, and goals will be discussed and T.J. will begin the process of “programming” your wish list and start dialoging and brainstorming ideas with you. We then will visit the Building Department to FOIL old property information if available or if applicable. Zoning calculations and preliminary code compliance is performed. If a new build is requested or required, we would also assist your builder with demolition drawings and site clearing documents.
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PHASE II:
DESIGN
Now it’s time to begin the master planning phase. We’ll conduct an in-depth exploration of conceptual design opportunities, starting with hand-drawn sketches that evolve into a refined, optimal solution. At this stage, we’ll also provide high-level cost estimates and guide you through the steps required for Village/Town approvals, including presentations to Architectural Review Boards, Site Planning Committees, and building departments. We’ll help you prepare for key upcoming decisions—such as selecting builders, decorators, and landscape designers, as well as kitchen and baths, to ensure a cohesive and complete set of design documents.
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PHASE III:
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Once aesthetic and site planning approvals are secured, we advance the design into a comprehensive set of construction blueprints. This phase includes detailed technical specifications, structural components, and clearly defined materials—all aligned with local and state building codes. We then compile these into a professional Construction Document set, (aka ‘Blueprints’ or ‘CDs’), which serve as the foundation for preparing bid packages and obtaining accurate estimates from builders.
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PHASE IV:
BIDDING & PERMITTING
Hierarchy will assist you in working with your selected builder or help you interview local candidates to find the most suitable fit for your project. We will meet with them to review the construction documents in detail and conduct on-site walkthroughs, answering any questions while serving as your representative throughout the process. Once a builder is chosen we will assist him with completing his building permit applications, including gathering required insurances, bonds, certificates, licenses, and subcontractors. Hierarchy will submit the full permit package to the Building Department and coordinate directly with examiners to resolve any follow-up inquiries. Once approved, the permit plaque can be posted on-site, and construction may officially begin.
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PHASE V:
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
During the final phase, our team will conduct regular site visits to observe construction progress and address any questions from you or the builder as they arise. We typically visit the site weekly through rough framing and then transition to bi-weekly through the rough utilities stage, and tri-weekly or as needed until the Certificate of Occupancy is obtained. Additional visits or supplemental design or administrative services can be arranged upon request for an additional fee, to collaborate with your extended project team—including decorators, landscape designers, and custom millwork specialists—ensuring a smooth and cohesive project completion.
DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
Beyond our core architecture services, we have many other specialties not previously listed, including cabanas, garages and landscaping. It's likely that whatever your goal is, we can help you achieve it, so please contact us and let's start building your dream home!
