Easy way or hard way?
Buying your own place in New York is exciting—but renovating it? That can be a major commitment. Do you have the time, budget, and energy to handle what lies ahead?
Start Early with Paperwork
Renovation means lots of permits, applications, and approvals. The sooner you start organizing your paperwork, the smoother the process. Keep some wiggle room in your budget and schedule—unexpected costs and delays often pop up. If an application gets denied, don’t panic; find out why and revise accordingly.
Understand Building Rules
Every building has an alteration agreement defining what renovations are allowed. Contact your managing agent early to get a copy and review it carefully. Don’t hesitate to hire a professional expeditor if you feel overwhelmed by the paperwork or rules. Your building’s board or REBNY alteration policies can guide you as well.
Hire Licensed Professionals
Only skilled, licensed contractors should handle your project. Electricians and plumbers must have DOB certification. Even painters often need proper licensing. Insist on insurance certificates from every contractor to protect yourself from accidents or damages.
Know What Permits You Need
Some renovations need specific permits. Verify which permits your contractors hold and which you are responsible for obtaining. It can be a slow process, but patience here saves headaches later.
Permit and other paper work.
If you have the Plan, expect a lot of the paperwork. Sooner you start, you finish with less complications. Leave some space in your budget to handle the renovation. These can take more money and time than you originally anticipated they would. A denied application means that you have to examine why they turned you down and try to finish it.
Details are the most important. You have your vision, now lets others know your ideas. The good idea is to contact the managing agent and find out what the building’s alteration agreement’s policy is and get a copy.
If you understand everything on this page you don’t need any help. Otherwise hire an expeditor. To be sure what you can renovate is usually declared in an alteration agreement but sometimes not simply clarified what types of changes are possible. Your board may have a REBNY alteration, more current, and will help you in the process of application.
Licenses
Job can be done only by skilled an qualified contractors and their subcontractors. Plumbers, and electricians need DOB certification to work. Even when you’re hiring a painting company they need to be licensed.
Insurance
Mistakes happen, so be sure that it’s all protected if the process doesn’t start. You’ll want a certificate of insurance that says they can work. Older buildings may need EPA’s certification to deal with the lead. Contractors will need compensation insurance and disability.
Permits
Contractors need permits for certain renovations and you need to know which ones they have and need! Figure out the details of what you want to do and what you will need to do in order to have it. Be patient as this can be a process.