Amiano & Son Design-Build has been in business for more than 50 years, and one of the reasons the design/build firm has been successful for so long is the team approach it brings to each and every job.

By controlling every aspect of the project, Amiano & Son Design-Build is able to provide expertise, continuity and accountability to its clients, who often feel like members of the family when the work is completed. Those customers are also thrilled with the end result, whether it’s a kitchen renovation, a bathroom remodel or a custom addition.

 “We are definitely a team and it’s nice because from sales to design to production, it’s a seamless process,” says Gianna Sweet, showroom manager/designer at Amiano & Son Design-Build. “If I have an idea for something, it’s easy for me to go to production and ask the best way to get there, considering cost. We hold the hands of the client throughout the process and make  sure everything gets done the right way.”

House & Home spoke with Sweet about the importance in turning to an experienced design/build company and learned more about Amiano & Son’s approach to remodeling.

What are the benefits to hiring a design/build firm with its own certified designer?
I am the design consultant for a local, family-owned, design/build company that combines project  design, product selection and construction  into a seamless process through a single company—the design/build remodeler. Many homeowners who are planning a remodeling project prefer this method because it provides them a single point of contact for all  aspects of the project and better control over costs and accountability.

What credentials should homeowners be looking for in their designer?
It’s important to look for a designer who is certified. According to NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), 80 percent of homeowners prefer to work with someone who is certified. A designer should have education and training to help them choose products that meet the functional needs of the user. Certifications and continuing  education are huge; interior design legislation sets standards of practice to protect consumers. I am a Certified Interior Designer (CID), a Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR) and I’m in the process of becoming a Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP). This helps me and Amiano stand apart from other design/build  remodelers that only staff design/sales consultants.

What exactly does a certified designer bring to the project?
There are so many misconceptions out there about a designer compared to an interior decorator. Interior decorators pick furniture, paint colors, fabric and window treatments; a lot of people associate that with the television remodeling shows. A certified designer will understand safety codes and the necessary processes  to design an effective space, so they’re thinking about accessibility, they’re thinking about products and they’re thinking about concepts like aging in place, which is really big right now. When I go into people’s homes I take into account ideas like removing  a wall or adding windows. It’s not just the decorating part of the business, although I can do that too.

What is the design process like at Amiano & Son?
As a full-time designer for Amiano, I am part of a team creating interior design concepts, presentations for clients and technical documentation for manufacturers. This includes site measures, creating options for floorplans, selecting fixtures and finishes, outlining budgets, as well as following up on production and installation. I stay involved in the progress of  work throughout al l phases of design, fabrication and construction, working  closely with sales and production each step of every project. I am on site as necessary to meet with contractors  during construction, ensuring all work is being executed per my drawings and specifications.

Do you think the experience and passion  you bring to your work is appreciated by your clients?
Absolutely. I have a design degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Before I came to Amiano & Son Design-Build I was working with general contractors, and then I had my own boutique studio, so I have a diverse background. Knowledge and experience are everything in this industry. I always knew I wanted to do this kind of work. You have to enjoy what you do in this industry because the hours are so long. If you don’t love it, the clients can tell.

Amiano & Son Design-Build
1637 US 206, Southampton, N.J.
(609) 268-5923 | AmianoAndSon.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 20, Issue 9 (March 2020). 
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