Commercial Renovation Contractor in New York City
Melani General Contractor provides licensed commercial renovation services for property managers, building owners, and business operators across all five boroughs of New York City. From office buildouts and retail renovations to lobby upgrades and common area improvements, our team manages commercial construction projects from initial assessment through DOB sign-off. We hold an active NYC General Contractor License (#626219) and carry full commercial liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Call (718) 283-4154 to schedule a free on-site project assessment.
Who We Work With
Property Managers and Management Companies
We partner with property managers who need a reliable general contractor for ongoing building maintenance, unit turnovers, common area renovations, and capital improvement projects. Our team works around tenant schedules, coordinates with building staff, and provides the documentation management companies require — including insurance certificates, W-9s, and itemized invoicing.
Building Owners and Co-op/Condo Boards
For building-wide projects such as lobby renovations, hallway updates, laundry room conversions, and facade work, we provide comprehensive project management. We handle DOB filings, coordinate with building engineers, and execute work in phases to minimize disruption to residents.
Business Owners and Retail Operators
Restaurants, retail shops, medical offices, and professional service firms trust us to build out and renovate their commercial spaces. We manage everything from demolition and framing through MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) rough-ins, finishes, and final certificate of occupancy.
Real Estate Developers
For investors and developers preparing properties for sale or lease, we deliver renovation work on schedule and within budget. Our experience with multi-unit residential and mixed-use properties allows us to scale crews and manage multiple concurrent work areas efficiently. We work with developers on pre-sale renovations, value-add repositioning, and ground-up tenant improvements for new construction.
Healthcare and Professional Office Clients
Medical offices, dental practices, law firms, and financial services companies have specific buildout requirements including specialized HVAC, soundproofing, data infrastructure, and ADA compliance. We coordinate with specialty consultants and equipment vendors to deliver turnkey professional spaces.
Our Commercial Renovation Services
Office Buildouts and Renovations
We construct and renovate office spaces of all sizes — from single-suite professional offices to multi-floor corporate environments. Our office renovation services include:
- Demolition and space reconfiguration
- Partition wall construction and glass office installation
- Conference room and reception area buildout
- Data and telecom infrastructure coordination
- Commercial-grade flooring installation
- Ceiling grid and lighting system installation
- HVAC ductwork modifications and zone control
- ADA-compliant restroom construction
- Kitchenette and breakroom installation
Retail and Restaurant Buildouts
Commercial storefronts and food service spaces require specialized knowledge of NYC commercial building codes, health department requirements, and fire safety regulations. We manage:
- Complete storefront demolition and reconstruction
- Commercial kitchen installation and hood ventilation systems
- Grease trap installation and commercial plumbing
- Fire suppression system coordination
- ADA accessibility compliance
- Storefront and facade renovation
- Custom millwork, display fixtures, and built-in cabinetry
Lobby and Common Area Renovations
Building lobbies, hallways, elevators landings, and shared amenity spaces set the tone for an entire property. We renovate common areas with minimal disruption to building operations:
- Lobby redesign and reconstruction
- Hallway flooring, lighting, and wall finish upgrades
- Mailroom and package room renovations
- Laundry room buildouts and equipment installation
- Fitness center and amenity space construction
- Fire-rated door and hardware replacement
- Security desk and access control installation
Tenant Improvement Projects
When new tenants require space modifications before move-in, we deliver tenant improvement (TI) work efficiently and on schedule. Our TI services cover everything from minor cosmetic updates to full gut renovations, coordinated with landlord requirements and building management protocols.
Commercial Plumbing and Electrical
Our licensed tradespeople handle commercial-grade mechanical work including:
- Electrical panel upgrades and dedicated circuit installation
- Commercial lighting design and installation
- Emergency and exit lighting systems
- Commercial water heater installation
- Backflow preventer installation and testing
- Commercial fixture installation (multi-station restrooms, utility sinks, mop basins)
- Fire alarm and sprinkler system coordination
Commercial Painting and Finishing
Professional painting and finishing for commercial spaces — including offices, retail, restaurants, and common areas. We use commercial-grade coatings rated for high-traffic environments, apply anti-microbial finishes where required, and schedule work during off-hours to avoid business disruption.
Facade and Exterior Work
Storefront installations, signage preparation, awning and canopy installation, exterior painting, and facade repairs. For buildings in designated historic districts, we coordinate with the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and file required applications before beginning exterior work.
ADA Compliance and Accessibility Upgrades
Restroom modifications, ramp installation, door hardware replacement, signage, and spatial reconfiguration to meet ADA accessibility requirements. We evaluate existing spaces against current standards and deliver compliant solutions that integrate with the overall renovation design.
How Much Does Commercial Renovation Cost in NYC?
Commercial renovation costs in New York City vary based on project scope, building type, and finish level. Here are general ranges based on our project history:
Minor Common Area Update (paint, flooring, lighting): $15–$40 per square foot
Standard Office Buildout (partitions, flooring, ceiling, lighting, HVAC): $50–$120 per square foot
Restaurant or Retail Buildout (full MEP, custom finishes, code compliance): $100–$250+ per square foot
Full Gut Commercial Renovation: $150–$400+ per square foot
Lobby Renovation (mid-size residential building): $50,000–$200,000+
Several factors impact commercial renovation costs in NYC:
- Building access restrictions and working hours limitations
- DOB permit requirements and expediting fees
- Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) filings for designated buildings
- Asbestos and lead abatement in pre-1980 construction
- Union labor requirements in certain buildings
- Material delivery logistics in dense urban areas
- Specialty trade requirements (fire protection, commercial HVAC, commercial kitchen exhaust)
• Scope changes and unforeseen conditions in older building stock
We provide detailed, itemized estimates that separate labor, materials, permits, and management fees for complete cost transparency. For property management clients with recurring renovation needs, we offer annual contract pricing with preferred rates and priority scheduling.
Why Property Managers and Business Owners Choose Melani General Contractor
Our Commercial Renovation Process
Step 1
Site Assessment
We visit the property, evaluate existing conditions, measure the space, identify building-specific requirements (working hours, elevator access, delivery restrictions), and discuss project goals and timeline expectations.
Step 2
Scope and Proposal
We develop a detailed scope of work with an itemized cost estimate. For complex projects, we coordinate with architects, engineers, and expediters to prepare drawings and DOB filing packages.
Step 3
Permits and Approvals
We file all required DOB applications, coordinate with building management for construction access agreements, submit alteration applications to co-op/condo boards when applicable, and obtain all permits before construction begins.
Step 4
Construction Execution
Our project managers coordinate all trades, manage material deliveries, maintain construction schedules, enforce safety protocols, and ensure quality at every stage. We work within building-approved hours and maintain clean, organized work areas.
Step 5
Inspection and Closeout
We coordinate all DOB inspections, obtain necessary certificates, perform punch-list completion, and conduct a detailed walkthrough with the client before final closeout and handover.
Areas We Serve Across New York City
We provide commercial renovation services throughout all five boroughs from our Bay Ridge, Brooklyn headquarters:
See What Our Customers Have To Say
Schedule Your Commercial Renovation Consultation
Whether you manage a portfolio of residential buildings, own a retail storefront, or need an office buildout completed on deadline — Melani General Contractor has the licensing, insurance, and experience to deliver. We provide detailed estimates following on-site assessments and can accommodate phased construction schedules for occupied buildings.
Call (718) 283-4154 to arrange your free on-site project assessment, or use the form below to request a commercial renovation estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Renovation in NYC
Yes. We regularly partner with property management firms on unit turnovers, common area upgrades, capital improvement projects, and emergency repairs. We provide all required documentation including insurance certificates, lien waivers, and detailed invoicing formatted to your specifications.
Absolutely. Many commercial projects require after-hours or weekend work to minimize disruption to tenants and business operations. We coordinate work schedules with building management and can execute projects during off-peak hours.
Yes. We prepare and file all DOB applications for commercial renovations, including alteration permits, plumbing and electrical permits, and construction superintendence. We coordinate required inspections and obtain certificates of completion.
We handle commercial projects ranging from single-office renovations to multi-floor buildouts and building-wide capital improvement programs. Our crew capacity and trade network allow us to scale appropriately for projects of varying size and complexity.
Timelines depend on project scope: minor cosmetic updates may take 2–4 weeks, standard office buildouts typically require 6–12 weeks, and full commercial gut renovations can take 3–6+ months. We provide detailed construction schedules during the proposal phase.
Yes. Many of our property management clients retain us for ongoing maintenance, unit turnover work, and small repair projects in addition to larger renovation contracts. We offer preferred scheduling and pricing for ongoing client relationships.