Apartment Renovation Services in New York City
Melani General Contractor provides full-service apartment renovation for co-ops, condos, pre-war walk-ups, and post-war high-rises across all five boroughs. Our licensed team manages every phase — from initial design consultation and co-op board submissions through demolition, rough-in, and final DOB inspection. Whether you need a complete gut renovation or targeted updates to your kitchen, bathroom, or flooring, we coordinate all trades under one roof. Call (718)-283-4154 to schedule your free on-site estimate.
Our Apartment Renovation Services
Open Floor Plan Conversions
Many NYC apartments — especially pre-war units — feature compartmentalized layouts with small, isolated rooms that limit functionality. We work with structural engineers to identify non-load-bearing walls that can be removed to create open-concept living spaces. When load-bearing walls are involved, we design and install steel beams or headers with proper DOB permits and structural sign-offs. The result is a modern layout that improves natural light, traffic flow, and overall livability.
Kitchen Renovation
Apartment kitchen remodeling in NYC requires navigating shared plumbing stacks, limited electrical capacity, and building-specific appliance requirements. We redesign layouts to improve the work triangle, install custom cabinetry maximized for vertical storage, and coordinate plumbing and electrical rough-ins for modern appliances. From galley kitchen transformations to full gut-and-rebuild projects, our team handles every detail from DOB permits to final hardware installation.
Bathroom Renovation
Apartment bathroom renovations demand proper waterproofing, coordination with building plumbing stacks, and compliance with noise restrictions. We install walk-in showers, modern vanities, and heated floors with full membrane waterproofing systems. Our plumbers work with existing stack locations and vent configurations specific to NYC apartment buildings.
Flooring Throughout
We remove existing flooring and prepare subfloors with proper leveling compounds before installing new materials. Options include hardwood refinishing, engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank, and tile — each installed with appropriate underlayment and sound-dampening membranes required by many NYC co-op and condo buildings.
Electrical System Upgrades
Pre-war apartments frequently have 60-amp panels, knob-and-tube wiring, or insufficient circuit capacity for modern living. We install 200-amp panel upgrades, dedicated appliance circuits, GFCI protection, and LED lighting throughout — bringing apartments into compliance with current National Electrical Code requirements.
Plumbing System Replacement
Aging galvanized supply lines and cast iron drain stacks corrode over time, reducing water pressure and creating leak risks. Our licensed plumbers replace deteriorated piping with copper or PEX supply lines and PVC drains where building codes permit, coordinating with building management for stack access and water shutdowns.
Interior Painting and Finishing
Every apartment renovation includes professional painting — walls, ceilings, trim, and doors. We skim-coat damaged plaster walls common in pre-war buildings, apply proper primers for new drywall, and finish with premium paints in your selected colors. Our painters work after all trades are complete to ensure clean, damage-free results.
How Much Does an Apartment Renovation Cost in NYC?
Apartment renovation costs in New York City vary significantly based on scope, materials, and building type. Here are general ranges based on our project history:
Cosmetic Update (paint, fixtures, hardware, minor repairs): $15,000–$30,000
Mid-Range Remodel (kitchen, bathroom, flooring, painting): $50,000–$100,000
Full Gut Renovation (layout changes, all new systems, custom everything): $150–$400+ per square foot
Several factors impact cost in NYC specifically:
- Co-op and condo board requirements add administrative costs for alteration agreements, insurance certificates, and building management coordination
- Pre-war buildings often require extensive plumbing, electrical, and plaster work beyond what’s visible during initial assessment
- Material delivery logistics in Manhattan (elevator reservations, street parking permits, loading dock scheduling) can add to labor costs
- DOB permit fees and expeditor costs vary by scope
- Building-mandated work hours (typically 8am–5pm weekdays) extend project timelines compared to single-family homes
We provide itemized estimates that separate demolition, rough carpentry, mechanical systems, finish materials, and labor so you know exactly where your budget goes.
Apartment Renovations by Property Type
Why Melani General Contractor for Your Apartment Renovation
Our Apartment Renovation Process
Step 1
On-Site Consultation
We visit your apartment, take measurements, discuss your design goals, and assess existing conditions including plumbing, electrical, structural elements, and building-specific requirements.
Step 2
Design and Estimate
Based on the consultation, we prepare a detailed scope of work with an itemized cost breakdown. We review material options, layout configurations, and phasing strategies for occupied buildings.
Step 3
Permits and Board Approvals
We file DOB applications, prepare alteration agreement packages for co-op/condo boards, and obtain all required permits and approvals before any work begins.
Step 4
Demolition and Construction
Our crews handle demolition, rough-in (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and all finish work — flooring, cabinetry, tile, countertops, painting, and hardware installation. We coordinate with building management for elevator access, noise compliance, and common area protection.
Step 5
Final Inspection and Walkthrough
We coordinate DOB inspections, obtain sign-offs, restore common areas, and conduct a detailed walkthrough with you to confirm everything meets specifications before closeout.
Additional Renovation Services
Melani General Contractor offers comprehensive construction services beyond apartment-specific work. Our licensed team coordinates trades across renovation categories to maintain schedule efficiency and quality standards. These services complement apartment renovation projects or stand as independent scopes of work:
Areas We Serve Across New York City
Our crews travel to job sites throughout all five boroughs from our Bay Ridge, Brooklyn headquarters. We maintain familiarity with neighborhood building stock, local permit requirements, and building management protocols in each service area:
See What Our Customers Have To Say
Schedule Your Apartment Renovation Consultation
Ready to transform your apartment? Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site measurements and consultations. We review design preferences, budget parameters, and timeline expectations 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 Apartment Renovation in NYC
Most apartment renovations require 6–12 weeks from demolition through final inspection, depending on scope and material availability. Full gut renovations of larger apartments may take 3–6 months. Projects involving structural modifications, co-op board delays, or landmark approvals may extend timelines due to additional review processes.
DOB permits are required for work involving plumbing modifications, electrical panel upgrades, structural changes, or gas line installations. Our team prepares and files all applications, coordinates inspections, and obtains certificates of completion.
Apartment renovations range from $15,000 for cosmetic updates to $150–$400+ per square foot for full gut renovations. Costs depend on apartment size, material selections, structural complexity, and building-specific requirements like co-op alteration agreements.
Occupancy during construction depends on the scope of work. Cosmetic updates and single-room projects often allow continued occupancy, while gut renovations typically require temporary relocation due to utility shutdowns, dust, and safety concerns. We discuss logistics during the consultation phase.
Board review processes typically add 2–6 weeks to project schedules depending on meeting frequency and alteration agreement complexity. We prepare all required documentation — insurance certificates, contractor licenses, architectural plans, and work schedules — to streamline the approval process.
Yes. Pre-war apartments require specialized knowledge of plaster walls, original hardwood floors, aging mechanical systems, and potential lead paint. Our EPA Lead-Safe certification (NAT-F277952-1) qualifies us to handle hazardous materials properly, and our 22+ years of experience include hundreds of pre-war apartment projects across all five boroughs.