Skip to main content
Fulltext search
FILTER RESULTS BY:
RECOMMENDED IN RENT
Moving to NYC after college? Here's how to find a rental apartment
RECOMMENDED IN BUY
How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else
RECOMMENDED IN SELL
A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm
RECOMMENDED IN IMPROVE
How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly
BEST REAL ESTATE WEBSITE!
National Association of Real Estate Editors
BEST REAL ESTATE WEBSITE! National Association of Real Estate Editors
Brick Underground
Social Links
follow:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Flipboard
  • search
Brick Underground
☰ Brick Underground
Brick Underground
Brick Underground
☰
Brick Underground
  • Buy
    • Buy
    • The Market
    • Investing
    • New Construction + Condos
    • Affordable Housing
    • Co-ops
    • Negotiating + Financing
    • How to Buy in NYC Guide
    A rendering of the roofdeck at 55 Broad Street.
    Rent
    Housing lottery launches for 143 apartments in the Financial District
    Aerial panoramic view of Red Hook, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
    Sales Market
    24 NYC neighborhoods where median prices more than doubled in the past decade
    431 West 54th Street is a co-op building that allows subletting.
    Investing
    Want to buy an investment apartment to rent out? Here's what you need to know
  • Rent
    • Rent
    • Affordable Housing
    • Roommates + Landlords
    • The Market
    • The Search
    • How to Rent in NYC Guide
    Young woman using laptop at new apartment, with moving boxes around.
    Roommates + Landlords
    Didn't get your security deposit returned in NYC? A new chatbot can help
    A rendering of the six-story building in Park Slope.
    Affordable Housing
    Housing lottery launches for 45 rent-stabilized units in Park Slope
    Laura and her dog Jack
    Rent
    Why I moved to NYC from Brazil: I relocated for work and reunited with friends I made 15 years ago
  • Sell
    • Sell
    • Staging + Open Houses
    • Negotiations + Closings
    • Getting Ready
    • How to Sell in NYC Guide
    Aerial view of downtown Brooklyn
    Sell
    Median sales price in Brooklyn climbs to $995,000 in the second quarter
    Downtown New York City
    Sell
    Manhattan deals rose to highest level in nearly two years, defying national trends
    new condo building and older co-op buildings in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
    Sell
    Brooklyn median price nears $1 million but the spring market is a question mark
  • Live
    • Live
    • Neighbors
    • Kids + Pets
    • Neighborhood Intel
    • Products + Test-drives
    • Troubleshooting
    FlatRate moving brick underground
    Live
    How to troubleshoot your move in advance
    Sponsored By flatrate
    Distressed woman sitting in her apartment
    Troubleshooting
    Ask Altagracia: My live-in partner is abusive. How can I get out of my lease?
    Sponsored By Outerbridge Law P.C.
    NYC apartment buildings with fire escapes
    Neighborhood Intel
    Can you sit on a fire escape in NYC? 5 things to know
  • Improve
    • Improve
    • Small Spaces
    • Small Projects + DIY
    • Renovations
    • Design + Architecture
    • Products + Services
    • How to Renovate in NYC Guide
    mini splits apartments new york city
    Products + Services
    Yes, you can install central AC in your co-op or condo unit. Here's how
    image
    Products + Services
    Take back your deck! How to win the war with mosquitoes and enjoy outdoor living again
    NYC apartment building with AC units
    Products + Services
    My neighbor's dripping AC is driving me crazy. What can I do?
  • Boards & Buildings
    • Boards & Buildings
    • Boards
    • Finance
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Property Management
    • Structure & Systems
    • Sustainability
    Burned and Boarded Up Windows
    When should your board hire a public adjuster?
    Manhattan GM
    What should we consider when renewing insurance for our building?
    Facade of NYC buildings
    How much is insurance on a NYC co-op or condo building?
  • Advertise
    • Advertise with us
    • Sponsored Content
    • Experts
    FlatRate moving brick underground
    Live
    How to troubleshoot your move in advance
    Sponsored By flatrate
    Distressed woman sitting in her apartment
    Troubleshooting
    Ask Altagracia: My live-in partner is abusive. How can I get out of my lease?
    Sponsored By Outerbridge Law P.C.
    Building facades in New York in winter
    Roommates + Landlords
    Ask Altagracia: I withheld rent due to inadequate heat and I'm being hassled to pay it back. What should I do?
    Sponsored By Outerbridge Law P.C.
  • Brick Report
  • About Us
  • About Us
The subscription service is currently unavailable. Please check again later.
Fulltext search
FILTER RESULTS BY:
New Main menu
  • Buy
    • Buy
    • The Market
    • Investing
    • New Construction + Condos
    • Affordable Housing
    • Co-ops
    • Negotiating + Financing
    • How to Buy in NYC Guide
  • Rent
    • Rent
    • Affordable Housing
    • Roommates + Landlords
    • The Market
    • The Search
    • How to Rent in NYC Guide
  • Sell
    • Sell
    • Staging + Open Houses
    • Negotiations + Closings
    • Getting Ready
    • How to Sell in NYC Guide
  • Live
    • Live
    • Neighbors
    • Kids + Pets
    • Neighborhood Intel
    • Products + Test-drives
    • Troubleshooting
  • Improve
    • Improve
    • Small Spaces
    • Small Projects + DIY
    • Renovations
    • Design + Architecture
    • Products + Services
    • How to Renovate in NYC Guide
  • Boards & Buildings
    • Boards & Buildings
    • Boards
    • Finance
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Property Management
    • Structure & Systems
    • Sustainability
  • Advertise
    • Advertise with us
    • Sponsored Content
    • Experts
  • Brick Report
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
  • About Us
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER →
Social Links Footer
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Search
Improve [ SPONSORED ]

Five steps to starting a New York City renovation

By Sweeten  | February 23, 2017 - 12:59PM
image

Photos: Sweeten

SHARE:
Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Print
More...

Your apartment may feel right in many ways: maybe it's bright, or surprisingly spacious or, possibly, in your dream location. But it probably could also use some upgrades. If only it had a better kitchen, or a more up-to-date bathroom, or one extra (or fewer) bedroom. Where to begin to transform your current space into exactly what you want and need right now?

We asked the pros at Sweeten, a free service that matches homeowners with screened general contractors in NYC and the tri-state region, for tips on kick-starting a renovation project in New York City. Here, their expert advice:

1. Create a wish list and budget

Make a wish list with two columns: must-haves and nice-to-haves.

"To separate your needs from your wants, start with what’s motivating the renovation,” says Jean Brownhill, founder and CEO of Sweeten.

For example, if you’re planning a bathroom renovation because you hate the feel of cold tile on your feet, you may want to prioritize a warmer surface or heated floors, versus, say, a rain shower and fogless mirrors.

“Once you’re clear on your priorities and motivation, it’s easier to decide where to focus your efforts and spending,” says Brownhill.

Next, determine how much money you have to devote to the project. By inputting some basic information, including level of finishes and dimensions of the space, Sweeten’s renovation cost calculator can give you an estimated range of what various renovation projects will cost. Don't forget to add on an extra 10-20% as a buffer, and factor in the cost of any relocation and temporary accommodations.

image

Click on image to calculate your own kitchen reno estimate.

2. Familiarize yourself with your building’s alteration agreement

An alteration agreement is a contract between you--the owner of the apartment--and your building’s board and managers. It details how any renovation work can be conducted.

Now’s the time to take a closer look at yours, paying particular attention to the following:

• Your building’s specific approval process for renovations (who on the board needs to sign off on your project?)

• Any licensing and insurance requirements (what type of permits and/or security deposits will you need?)

• Technical details, such as designated work hours (what times of day is the crew allowed to make noise? Are there certain times of the year that renovations are a no-no?)

• Rules regarding the use of the freight elevator (for transporting materials, machinery and waste) and any waste disposal protocol (will you be charged additional fees?).

You Might Also Like

image
Renovation How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in NYC?
image
Renovation Before & After: Two Manhattan kitchens, two glossy (and budget-friendly) renovations
image
Improve How to renovate a home from afar: A beginner's guide

3. Hire your team

Next, figure out who you need to do the work: A general contractor or an architect? Generally speaking, structural changes (think moving walls or altering the floorplan in a significant way) or the moving of major appliances or wet zones (say, relocating the stove and oven to the other side of the kitchen or adding a toilet, shower or another bathroom), will require the services of an architect.

“It’s just too difficult to communicate that level of detail without architectural drawings,” explains Brownhill.

If your plan is to keep the floorplan, plumbing and gas lines in place, a general contractor can typically jump right into the job.

image

4. Get your approvals in place

If your project requires an architect or general contractor, you’ll need to submit a proposal to your board, based on your building’s alteration agreement, outlining the work to be done.

Depending on the alterations, you may also need permits from the Department of Buildings. Despite recent DOB reforms, this could take anywhere from 24 hours to months and even years, which is why many architects and general contractors working in New York City enlist the services of an expeditor.

“Expeditors are a largely NYC phenomenon, but because of their particular relationships with the DOB, they can be invaluable in obtaining timely approvals of permits necessary to begin renovations,” says Brownhill. Ask your professional who they use and what their track record is like.

image

5. Alert your neighbors

You’re all set to start your renovation, but first practice some good renovation etiquette and alert your neighbors to the upcoming construction. Consider writing a letter—including info on estimated project length, potential disturbances (dust, noise, fumes, etc.), targeted work dates, and even the name of your contractor or architect (to whom they can address questions or concerns)—that can be slipped under the doors of anyone who might be directly affected by the general disruption of your project.

Alternatively, you can send an email or even knock on doors to report your plans to your fellow residents.

“It doesn't matter which form of communication you use, so choose the one most comfortable for you," says Brownhill. "The important thing is to extend the courtesy.” And when the job is done, it doesn't hurt to invite them over for a celebratory glass of wine as a thank you and help ensure that when it's their turn to renovate, they'll be as considerate as you.


Named “Best Contractor Locator" by New York Magazine, Sweeten is an award-winning, free service that matches homeowners with the best general contractors for their renovation, with support from start to finish.

 

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.

topics:

Renovation
SHARE
TWEET
BRICK’S PICKS
NYC apartment building with AC units
My neighbor's dripping AC is driving me crazy. What can I do?
Historic brick facades of NYC apartment buildings
Getting overcharged by a landlord? Here’s how the Tenant Protection Unit helps rent-stabilized tenants
Apartment buildings in Soho
New Rent Guidelines Board report justifies a rent freeze, tenant advocates claim
Brooklyn apartment buildings
Understanding net effective rent: Here's how to calculate your real monthly rent
image
How much should you renovate your NYC apartment or house before selling?
Council Member Shahana Hanif hold press conference before the City Council vote on Arrow Linen spot rezoning.
City Council signs off on 10-story towers for Arrow Linen site
Follow Brick on Instagram
@brickunderground | #brickunderground
Brick UndergroundBRICK UNDERGROUNDREAL LIFE. REAL ESTATE. REAL NEW YORK.
Social Links Footer
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Search
Main menu footer
  • Buy
    • The Market
    • Investing
    • New Construction + Condos
    • Affordable Housing
    • Co-ops
    • Negotiating + Financing
    • How to Buy in NYC Guide
  • Rent
    • Affordable Housing
    • Roommates + Landlords
    • The Market
    • The Search
    • How to Rent in NYC Guide
  • Sell
    • Staging + Open Houses
    • Negotiations + Closings
    • Getting Ready
    • How to Sell in NYC Guide
  • Live
    • Neighbors
    • Kids + Pets
    • Neighborhood Intel
    • Products + Test-drives
    • Troubleshooting
  • Improve
    • Small Spaces
    • Small Projects + DIY
    • Renovations
    • Design + Architecture
    • Products + Services
    • How to Renovate in NYC Guide

Get more news you can actually use...

Email Address

Delivered to your inbox weekly - for free.

*By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors

Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Advertise

Copyright 2009-2024 by BND Ventures Inc | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices | Login