Civil Engineers & General Contractors in New York. 4 Stars And Up

“Monks just finished my kitchen renovation. I can’t say enough wonderful things about this company. A+ workmanship! Everyone from the initial meeting, the design process, all of the contractors and the implementation of the project was excellent! Thank you Bill, Cortney, Ward and the entire Monks Team! I’m thrilled with everything! I highly recommend this wonderful company!!”

“Outstanding Condo Renovation Experience with Evolution Group & Artem!! We recently completed a major renovation project with Evolution Group (EG), and I couldn’t be happier with the results. EG did a full gut renovation of our kitchen and one bathroom, a semi-gut for the entire apartment with new flooring throughout, fresh paint on every wall, and new outlets and wiring. This was a major undertaking in a NYC condo, and Artem, the lead project manager, made it an outstanding experience from start to finish. Artem has fantastic attention to detail and always asks the right questions to understand your preferences. He gives thoughtful recommendations and clearly explains the trade-offs of different decisions so you can make informed choices. He is personable and has a great sense of humor, which makes the process much more enjoyable. His crew respects him, follows his instructions, and gets things done efficiently with zero drama. What impressed me most is that Artem is a true partner in the project. If you raise a concern, he doesn’t push back — he finds a solution, even if it means extra work for his team or adding scope. He treats your renovation as if it were his own home. He is also transparent and communicates clearly about costs and scope upfront, with no surprise bills. For example, I asked EG to install Cat6 ethernet cabling throughout the apartment — not a typical contractor job — and they did it perfectly and reasonably. Artem even arranged for us to visit a previous client’s home so we could see EG’s work and hear their honest feedback before committing. He also works well with condo boards and building management, which is critical in a condo renovation. Artem strikes the perfect balance between keeping the board informed and keeping the project moving efficiently without unnecessary delays. Once our plan was approved, the renovation proceeded very smoothly. The only hiccup was that our plan approval took longer than expected, partly because we didn’t hire an architect early enough. In hindsight, it would have helped if Artem had recommended engaging an architect at the very start, given how strict condo boards can be. That said, once the approvals were secured, everything moved quickly and efficiently. I would absolutely hire EG and Artem again for future projects and strongly recommend them to anyone planning a condo renovation. If you want a contractor who is professional, communicative, honest, and committed to high-quality results, Artem and EG are the team to call.”

“I recently completed a full gut renovation of my Manhattan apartment, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results delivered by Essential Design & Build. From the initial design phase through final execution, the team demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. They took the time to truly understand my vision and brought it to life with thoughtful design choices that enhanced both the functionality and aesthetic of the space. The project was completed on schedule, and their communication throughout the process was consistent, transparent, and reassuring — a rare quality in today’s renovation landscape. The entire team was diligent, respectful of my home, and clearly committed to delivering a high-quality result. They handled every aspect of the renovation with care and precision, and their craftsmanship speaks for itself. I would recommend Essential Design & Build without hesitation to anyone looking for a top-tier renovation partner. They made what could have been a stressful process feel seamless and rewarding from start to finish.”