Bathroom renovation in Manhattan means working inside buildings that have their own rules, their own timelines, and their own approval processes before a single tile comes off the wall. Pre-war co-op boards require alteration agreements. Cast iron plumbing stacks in buildings from the early 1900s need assessment before any rough-in work starts. We handle all of it, from NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) permits to building management coordination, operating out of Brooklyn and serving property owners across Manhattan.
Ready to get your Manhattan bathroom renovation moving? Talk to our team today.
A Manhattan bathroom renovation starts well before the first tile goes up. Our team begins with full gut demolition, stripping the space down to studs and subfloor, then assessing the existing cast iron plumbing stack before any rough-in work begins. We install a waterproofing membrane, either Schluter Kerdi or RedGard depending on the substrate, followed by cement board backing and a new drain rough-in positioned to match your updated layout. Shared plumbing risers in Manhattan high-rises require advance notice according to each building's rules, often several business days, before a shutdown, and we handle that coordination with your super directly. Being based in Brooklyn keeps us close to every borough, and we coordinate directly with Manhattan managing agents and building staff, which shortens the back-and-forth on approvals. For a full picture of what that process involves, see our bathroom renovation services page.
The finish-out phase covers large-format porcelain or natural stone tile, custom vanity installation, walk-in shower enclosures, soaking tubs, heated floor systems, and ADA-compliant fixture placement where the layout requires it. Co-op boards in pre-war buildings on the Upper West Side and around Carnegie Hill require a signed alteration agreement naming the contractor, proof of insurance, and a defined scope before demolition begins. Many Manhattan buildings limit renovation work to weekday hours, often around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; exact rules vary, which shapes the schedule from day one. Our team coordinates required NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) filings with appropriately licensed professionals and coordinates licensed subs under our direct supervision, including plumbing services, so nothing falls through the gap between trades.
Every Manhattan co-op bathroom renovation we take on includes:
Every scope we build covers the full bathroom from demolition through finish. You do not need to hire separate plumbing or electrical subs. Our crew handles demo, carpentry, tile and finishes; licensed plumbers and electricians handle regulated work under our direct supervision, including required permit coordination with the NYC Department of Buildings and riser shutdown notices to building management.
We strip tile, drywall, fixtures, and subfloor down to the studs, then haul all debris out in compliance with Manhattan building management requirements, including elevator padding, designated removal windows, and superintendent sign-off.
We apply a continuous waterproofing membrane in required wet areas according to the selected system and approved scope before any tile goes down, reducing the leak risk that causes water damage to the unit below. In pre-war Manhattan bathroom renovations, this step is non-negotiable.
We install large-format porcelain, natural stone, or subway tile across floors, walls, and shower surrounds, including niche shelving and heated floor mats where the design spec calls for them.
Our plumbing services handle all drain repositioning, supply line upgrades, and finish connections. We coordinate any riser shutdown with building management inside the advance-notice window noted above, timed around the single workday most high-rises allow.
We install freestanding and wall-mounted vanities, frameless mirrors, towel bars, and all finish hardware, matched exactly to the approved design spec.
We handle GFCI outlet installation, exhaust fan wiring, and recessed or vanity lighting through our electrical services, all permitted through the DOB before work begins.
A full gut renovation in a Manhattan co-op typically runs 6 to 10 weeks after board approval, with the demolition-to-inspection portion often falling in the three to five week range once work actually begins. The rest of the calendar is driven by permit filing and board review, which is why we start that paperwork early. Here is how the project moves.
We start with a site visit to your Manhattan property. We assess the existing plumbing stack configuration, check for asbestos floor tile or lead paint in pre-war units, and identify any abatement requirements before demolition is even discussed. Nothing moves forward until the full scope is defined in writing.
Subject to project scope, we coordinate required NYC Department of Buildings filings with appropriately licensed or registered design and trade professionals. For a co-op bathroom renovation in Manhattan, we also prepare the full alteration agreement package for board submission. The gap between a permit-ready drawing set and a board-approved one is not always obvious. We bridge it. Boards on Riverside Drive and around Lenox Hill can add several weeks to this phase, and we plan for that from day one. Our experience with co-op and condo renovation services means we know what boards require before they ask.
Demolition begins only after the riser shutdown is coordinated with building management. Wet-wall framing, waterproofing membrane, and all plumbing services and electrical rough-in are completed and inspected before any tile work begins.
Tile installation, vanity and fixture set, and final connections follow. We coordinate required DOB inspections and permit closeout where applicable. You get a finished bathroom, and we coordinate the applicable permit closeout.
Curious how your building's review calendar affects the schedule? See how long your board approval might take and ask us for a timeline built around your specific address.
Most Manhattan bathroom problems don't announce themselves all at once. They show up as small symptoms that get ignored until the damage reaches the unit below or triggers a co-op board complaint. Here are five signs your bathroom needs more than a coat of paint.
Cracked or blackened grout can result from movement, staining, mildew, or moisture intrusion and should be inspected. It does not by itself prove the waterproofing membrane behind your tile has been compromised. In a Manhattan high-rise, moisture can migrate into the concrete slab, and the unit below may be affected before you notice anything wrong inside your own bathroom.
If your downstairs neighbor has reported a ceiling stain, it may indicate a plumbing or waterproofing leak and requires prompt professional assessment. The repair scope depends on the source and damage. Waiting longer may add liability and can trigger an insurance claim against your unit.
Tap your wall or floor tile. A hollow sound means the adhesive bond has failed. Loose tile in a wet area will crack and let water infiltrate behind the wall. In a pre-war Manhattan bathroom renovation, we find this condition frequently once original tile adhesive has aged past 50 years.
Persistent fogging and mildew growth after showering means your exhaust fan is undersized or vented incorrectly. This is common in pre-war Manhattan apartments where ductwork was retrofitted rather than designed into the building. An undersized fan accelerates mold growth inside wall cavities.
Toilets, tubs, and vanities installed before a building's last major renovation cycle are likely inefficient and may not meet current NYC plumbing code for water consumption. Call us at (718) 283-4154 to get an assessment before a minor fixture problem becomes a code violation.
Manhattan's housing stock tells the story the moment you open a wall. Buildings constructed between 1900 and 1940 run on cast iron plumbing stacks that are now 80 to 120 years old. Those stacks corrode from the inside out, narrowing flow capacity year by year. A contractor who skips a stack assessment before demolition begins is one swing of a hammer away from a mid-job emergency that shuts down the whole building line. Our team inspects existing rough-in conditions before any tile comes off the wall.
Riser shutdowns add another layer that most outer-borough jobs never face. In Midtown and SoHo high-rises, your bathroom's plumbing connects to a vertical riser that serves every unit above and below yours. Building management requires advance notice before any shutdown, and the actual work window is often a single workday. That constraint compresses the entire rough-in schedule. Our plumbing team is built around exactly this kind of timed, high-pressure execution.
Co-op boards in the East Village and Washington Heights add a regulatory layer that does not exist in a Queens two-family or a Bronx walkup. Alteration agreements specify approved contractor credentials, insurance minimums, and working hours, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays only. Noise restrictions apply from day one. We are a licensed and insured NYC Home Improvement Contractor (#2113624-DCA). Each building sets its own insurance coverage and submission requirements, and alteration agreement documentation is prepared when included in the project scope. For a full picture of what that process involves, see our page on co-op and condo renovation services.
Melani General Contractor has been renovating bathrooms across Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and beyond for more than 22 years. Clients consistently describe the work as done "quickly and correctly" and praise Mike and his crew as "highly skilled" and diligent about producing top-quality results. That track record is backed by 100+ five-star Google reviews. For a licensed bathroom contractor in Manhattan, that kind of documented experience matters, especially in buildings where co-op boards scrutinize contractor credentials before approving any alteration agreement.
Most bathroom renovations in Manhattan touch tile, plumbing, and electrical work inside the same tight space. Rather than leaving you to coordinate three separate subcontractors, we coordinate the renovation and appropriately licensed plumbing and electrical trade partners under one project schedule. Our crew opens the walls and finishes the tile, while licensed plumbers and electricians handle regulated rough-in work under our direct supervision. That coordinated accountability is what helps home renovation move on schedule instead of stalling between trades. No finger-pointing. No gaps.
Every bathroom renovation in Manhattan that involves plumbing relocation, wall changes, or electrical circuit alterations requires a NYC Department of Buildings permit. Many co-op buildings in Harlem, Tribeca, and the Upper East Side also require a full alteration agreement package submitted to the managing agent before work begins. We prepare and file both as a standard part of every project. You do not navigate the permit process or your building's board alone.
Browse service information for Manhattan and nearby communities.
Our general contracting and home renovation work is based in Brooklyn, but we serve property owners across all five boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Wherever your project is, we bring the same permitting know-how, licensed trades, and direct oversight.
Co-op board submission windows, DOB permit timelines, and riser shutdown scheduling all move on fixed calendars. The sooner you start, the more control you have over your project timeline. We handle permits, alteration agreements, trade coordination, and every inspection for your bathroom renovation services, from Midtown to Tribeca to the Upper East Side.
Want a firm number before you commit? Request a free scope review, and call us at (718) 283-4154 to get your remodel moving.
Yes. Any bathroom remodel in Manhattan that involves relocating plumbing fixtures, altering walls, or adding electrical circuits requires a permit filed with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Unpermitted work can trigger stop-work orders, fines, and serious complications when you sell or refinance. When permits are required, we coordinate DOB filings with the appropriately licensed professionals. We are a licensed and insured NYC Home Improvement Contractor.
Most Manhattan co-op boards require a signed alteration agreement that names the contractor, includes proof of insurance, and details the full scope of work before demolition starts. Many boards also require a performance deposit and restrict working hours to weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We prepare the complete alteration agreement package and carry the insurance minimums your building requires. For more on how we coordinate with building management, see what NYC contractors need to know about working with managing agents.
A standard gut renovation for a Manhattan apartment bathroom typically runs three to five weeks from demolition to final inspection, though the full project from board approval forward more often lands in the 6 to 10 week range. Riser shutdowns in high-rise buildings require advance notice according to each building's rules, often several business days, and that scheduling buffer is built into the timeline from day one, not discovered mid-job.
Cost varies based on scope, finish level, and your building's specific constraints. A gut renovation in a doorman building on the Upper East Side carries different logistics than a ground-floor condo unit. Before any work begins, you receive a written proposal so you know the scope and price you are committing to. Concealed conditions or approved scope changes may affect the price through documented change orders.
Yes. We can follow Manhattan co-op and condo alteration requirements. These may include a dedicated elevator operator during material deliveries and mandatory dust containment barriers at every unit entry. Strict rules can slow down unprepared contractors. Our team plans around them.
No. Our crew handles tile and finishes; licensed plumbers and electricians handle regulated work under our direct supervision on the same schedule. Licensed plumbers and electricians work alongside the finish team, reducing the coordination gaps that can cause delays when multiple contractors are involved. Everything moves on one schedule, one point of accountability.
Ready to move forward? Call (718) 283-4154 or submit your project details online. Our team will review your building type, scope, and co-op or condo board requirements and get back to you with a clear plan.
