Your Trusted General Contractor in Brooklyn
Melani General Contractor is headquartered in Bay Ridge and has served Brooklyn property owners for over 22 years. Brooklyn’s diverse housing stock — from 1880s brownstones in Park Slope to converted industrial lofts in Williamsburg — demands contractors who understand century-old construction methods, Landmarks Preservation Commission requirements, and modern building code compliance. Our licensed team delivers complete renovation services for brownstones, apartments, townhouses, co-ops and condos, and lofts across every Brooklyn neighborhood. Call (718)-283-4154 for your free on-site estimate.
Comprehensive Renovation Services Across Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s housing stock includes over 100,000 buildings constructed before 1940, creating specific renovation requirements for structural systems, electrical, plumbing, and facade preservation. Our licensed team delivers complete solutions for residential properties across all neighborhoods.
Brownstone and Townhouse Renovation
Brooklyn contains the highest concentration of brownstone rowhouses in New York City. Our brownstone renovation services address sandstone facade restoration, parlor floor modernization, garden-level conversions, and multi-floor gut renovations. For limestone and brick townhouses, we handle rear extensions, cellar excavations, staircase restoration, and complete interior reconfigurations.
Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchen renovations are the most requested project across Brooklyn. We transform cramped galley kitchens in pre-war brownstones into open-concept layouts with custom cabinetry, stone countertops, and modern appliance integration. Brooklyn kitchens often require structural modifications — removing load-bearing walls with steel beam installation — and complete plumbing and electrical system upgrades.
Bathroom Renovation
Brooklyn bathroom renovations range from cosmetic updates in co-op apartments to full gut-and-rebuild projects in brownstones. We install walk-in showers with Kerdi or Hydroban waterproofing systems, heated flooring, modern vanities, and updated plumbing — with particular expertise in pre-war cast iron stack work and limited-space layouts.
Apartment and Co-op/Condo Renovation
Brooklyn’s co-op and condo buildings require alteration agreement management, board coordination, and compliance with building-mandated construction hours and insurance requirements. We handle the full apartment renovation process from board submission through final walkthrough.
Loft Renovation
Williamsburg, Bushwick, DUMBO, and Greenpoint feature converted industrial lofts with open floor plans, exposed brick, and high ceilings. We build out these spaces with custom partitions, mezzanine construction, kitchen and bathroom installations on concrete slabs, and mechanical system design for open-plan living.
Trade Services
We provide standalone plumbing, electrical, flooring, and painting services as part of larger renovations or as individual projects. Brooklyn’s pre-war housing stock frequently requires galvanized pipe replacement, panel upgrades from 60-amp to 200-amp service, hardwood floor refinishing, and plaster repair with skim coating.
The Brooklyn Building and Renovation Landscape
Brooklyn’s residential architecture consists primarily of rowhouses, brownstones, and mid-rise apartment buildings constructed between 1880 and 1960. Neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights feature Italianate and Romanesque Revival brownstones with limestone and sandstone facades.
Bedford-Stuyvesant contains the largest concentration of intact Victorian-era housing stock in the United States, while Williamsburg and Bushwick showcase converted industrial lofts and newer condominium developments. Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill feature smaller-scale rowhouses with private gardens, and Bay Ridge — our home base — mixes pre-war apartment buildings with single-family homes and semi-detached houses.
These varied building types require specialized approaches to structural modifications, facade restoration, and mechanical system upgrades that respect original construction methods while meeting current DOB code requirements.
Common Renovation Challenges in Brooklyn
Our experience with Brooklyn properties enables us to anticipate complications before they affect timelines or budgets:
Lead Paint and Asbestos: Properties built before 1978 constitute approximately 70% of Brooklyn’s housing stock, requiring EPA-certified remediation protocols during demolition and surface preparation. Our EPA certification (NAT-F277952-1) ensures compliant handling.
Galvanized Pipe Replacement: Brownstones and pre-war apartment buildings typically contain original galvanized steel plumbing that corrodes after 70+ years. Complete plumbing system replacement with copper or PEX supply lines is often necessary during gut renovations.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring: Homes constructed before 1940 often retain obsolete electrical systems lacking grounding conductors. Complete rewiring to meet current NEC standards is critical for safety and insurance compliance.
Material Access and Staging: Rowhouse construction without driveways or loading zones requires DOT parking permits and careful scheduling of material deliveries through narrow stoops and hallways. Landmark District Compliance: Properties in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights North, and other designated districts require LPC approval for exterior modifications and certain interior work affecting historic fabric.
Why Choose Melani General Contractor in Brooklyn
Our Renovation Process
Step 1
On-Site Consultation
We visit your Brooklyn property, assess structural conditions, identify building-specific requirements (co-op board, landmark district), and discuss your renovation goals.
Step 2
Design and Estimate
We prepare a detailed scope of work with itemized costs. For complex projects, we coordinate with architects and structural engineers for drawings and specifications.
Step 3
Permits and Approvals
We file DOB applications, prepare co-op/condo board packages, submit LPC applications when required, and obtain all permits before construction.
Step 4
Construction
Our crews handle demolition, structural work, mechanical rough-in, and all finish work — flooring, cabinetry, tile, painting, and hardware.
Step 5
Final Inspection and Walkthrough
We coordinate DOB inspections, obtain certificates of completion, restore common areas in managed buildings, and conduct a detailed walkthrough before closeout.
Brooklyn Neighborhoods We Serve
Our crews work throughout Brooklyn’s diverse communities from our Bay Ridge headquarters:
Bay Ridge
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Borough Park
Brooklyn Heights
Bushwick
Carroll Gardens
Clinton Hill
Crown Heights
DUMBO
Flatbush
Fort Greene
Greenpoint
Kensington
Park Slope
Prospect Heights
Red Hook
Sunset Park
Williamsburg
Windsor Terrace
Other Boroughs We Serve
See What Our Customers Have To Say
Schedule Your Brooklyn Renovation Consultation
Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site assessments at your Brooklyn property. We evaluate structural conditions, review building-specific requirements, and discuss your renovation goals before preparing formal proposals.
Call (718)-283-4154 to arrange your free on-site evaluation, or use the form below to request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renovation in Brooklyn
Structural work including joist repairs, beam installations, and foundation underpinning requires ALT1 permits with sealed engineering drawings. Plumbing alterations, electrical upgrades, and mechanical system installations each require separate work permits with licensed master plumber or electrician filings.
Yes. The Landmarks Preservation Commission reviews all exterior work and certain interior modifications in designated districts including Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Prospect Heights. LPC approval must be obtained before DOB permit applications are filed. We manage both processes.
Single-floor brownstone renovations typically range from $75,000–$175,000. Full gut renovations run $300–$500+ per square foot depending on structural scope, landmark requirements, and finishes. We provide itemized estimates after on-site assessment.
Most co-ops require architectural plans, contractor insurance certificates (with the co-op named as additional insured), alteration agreements, and neighbor notification letters. Boards often mandate specific work hours, freight elevator reservations, and security deposits.
Brownstones built on sloped streets often feature floor height differences between rooms due to grade changes and foundation settling. We use self-leveling compounds, tapered sleeper systems, and threshold transitions to create code-compliant surfaces while preserving original ceiling heights.
Open-plan kitchen renovations removing non-structural walls remain the most requested modification in brownstones. Primary bathroom expansions into adjacent space, garden-level conversions, and loft-style open builds in converted warehouses are also major investment priorities.