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Apartment renovation NYC project underway in a pre-war Brooklyn building
Apartment Renovation · All Five Boroughs

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.

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NYC Licensed GC #626219
EPA Lead-Safe NAT-F277952-1
22+ Years In Business
Before And After

Complete Apartment Renovations Across NYC

Compartmentalized pre-war layouts opened up into light-filled living space, with every mechanical system rebuilt behind the walls before finishes go in.

Pre-war apartment renovation in Brooklyn before work began, showing closed-off rooms and cracked plaster
Before
Complete apartment renovation in NYC co-op by Melani General Contractor with an open floor plan
After
Open floor plan conversion during an apartment renovation NYC project with a steel header installed
Steel header set in place where a wall was removed, with plumbing and electrical rough-in inspected before anything closes.
Finish carpentry and tile work on a pre-war apartment renovation in Brooklyn by Melani General Contractor
Finish work — trim, paint, flooring, and tile — scheduled only after every DOB inspection is signed off.
What We Do

Our Apartment Renovation Services

Every scope below is performed by licensed trades under a single general contract, sequenced so rough work is inspected before walls close.

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.

More on Gut Renovation

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cost

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
$15,000–$30,000

Paint, fixtures, hardware, minor repairs

Mid-Range Remodel
$50,000–$100,000

Kitchen, bathroom, flooring, painting

Full Gut Renovation
$150–$400+ / sq ft

Layout changes, all new systems, custom everything

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. Larger scopes are often better handled as a gut renovation than a room-by-room sequence.

Apartment renovation NYC consultation with owners reviewing an itemized estimate in Brooklyn
Property Types

Apartment Renovations by Property Type

Building stock drives scope. Pre-war plaster, co-op alteration agreements, brownstone floor-throughs, and converted lofts each demand a different approach.

Pre-War Apartment Renovation

Pre-war apartments (pre-1940s) feature plaster walls, original hardwood floors, higher ceilings, and aging mechanical systems. We specialize in preserving architectural details — crown moldings, archways, original doors — while bringing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems up to modern standards. Proper lead paint handling under our EPA certification (NAT-F277952-1) is standard procedure for these buildings.

Co-op and Condo Apartment Renovation

Board approval processes vary by building, but we maintain all required documentation — insurance certificates, contractor licenses, work schedules, architectural plans, and noise mitigation protocols — ready to submit. Our familiarity with alteration agreements across hundreds of NYC buildings reduces approval timelines significantly.

Brownstone Floor-Through Apartments

Brownstone apartments often span a full floor with unique layout challenges including railroad-style rooms and plumbing located on exterior walls. We handle structural modifications to reconfigure these spaces while respecting the building's historic character and any landmark preservation requirements.

Loft Apartments

Converted commercial lofts require specialized renovation approaches for open-plan living spaces — including exposed systems, concrete floors, and non-standard ceiling heights. We design and build partitions, mezzanines, and custom storage that work with the loft's industrial character.

Working in a managed building? See our co-op & condo renovation and loft renovation pages for building-specific detail.

Why Melani

Why Melani General Contractor for Your Apartment Renovation

Licensing, certification, and code proficiency are the difference between a renovation that closes out cleanly and one that stalls in review.

NYC Licensed General Contractor (#626219)

Our active license authorizes us to pull permits, supervise subcontractors, and maintain DOB compliance for residential construction across all five boroughs. Valid through December 2028.

22+ Years of Verified Experience

Since establishing operations in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we have completed apartment renovations in pre-war walk-ups, post-war high-rises, brownstone floor-throughs, and converted lofts with documented references available upon request.

EPA Lead-Safe Certified (NAT-F277952-1)

Qualified to perform renovation work in pre-1978 housing stock, which includes a significant portion of NYC's residential apartment buildings.

NYS Licensed Mold Remediation Contractor (#25-64SK4-SHMO)

Licensed by New York State to assess and remediate mold, so moisture damage found behind walls, ceilings, and old plumbing lines is corrected properly instead of covered up.

Fully Insured

Comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance protects property owners from financial exposure during construction.

NYC Building Code Proficiency

Current knowledge of residential codes, co-op/condo alteration requirements, landmark preservation guidelines, and DOB filing procedures across different property types and zoning districts.

Process

Our Apartment Renovation Process

Five phases, in order, with permits and board approvals cleared before demolition begins.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

Call (718) 283-4154 and we will walk through every phase before work begins.

Additional Services

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.

Bathroom RenovationBrownstone RenovationCommercial RenovationCondo & Co-op RenovationElectrical ServicesFlooring InstallationGeneral ContractingGut RenovationHome RenovationKitchen RemodelingLoft RenovationPainting ServicesPlumbing ServicesTownhouse Renovation
Service Areas

Areas We Serve Across New York City

Our crews travel to job sites throughout all five boroughs from our Park Slope, Brooklyn headquarters. We maintain familiarity with neighborhood building stock, local permit requirements, and building management protocols in each service area.

BrooklynManhattanQueensBronxStaten IslandWilliamsburgPark SlopeCarroll GardensBrooklyn HeightsSoHoTribecaUpper East SideUpper West Side
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Free Estimate

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 to request an estimate.

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Apartment Turnover

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Co-op Board Approved Contractor

Board packages, alteration agreements, insurance certificates and architect coordination.

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Emergency Building Repair

24/7 response for water damage, structural failures, and DOB violation stabilization.

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FAQ

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.
Free On-Site Evaluation

Ready to Start Your NYC Apartment Renovation?

We handle DOB permits, co-op board approvals, and every trade from demolition through final inspection. Your estimate is itemized and based on an on-site walkthrough of your apartment.

Get a Free Apartment EstimateContact Us Online
  • Co-ops, condos, pre-war walk-ups and post-war high-rises
  • DOB permit filing through final inspection sign-off
  • Co-op and condo board alteration submissions
  • All trades coordinated under one roof