You just bought a condo or a co-op in New York. Now you want to renovate it. What a complication you could expect. Renovation is often a big commitment. Are you sure that you have the energy to take it on?

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.