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Queens, NY · Houses, Co-ops, Condos & Two-Family Homes

Your Trusted General Contractor in Queens

Melani General Contractor provides complete renovation services for Queens' diverse residential properties. The borough's housing stock spans single-family homes in Bayside and Forest Hills, garden apartment co-ops in Jackson Heights, postwar houses in Flushing, and high-rise condominiums in Long Island City — each with distinct construction methods and renovation requirements. Our licensed team delivers home renovations, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, apartment renovations, and gut renovations across every Queens neighborhood. Call (718) 283-4154 for your free on-site estimate.

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Serving All of Queens
NYC License #626219
EPA Lead-Safe NAT-F277952-1
Queens Services

Comprehensive Renovation Services Across Queens

Queens contains approximately 320,000 housing units built before 1978, requiring specialized approaches to lead abatement and systems upgrades. The borough's mix of detached homes, attached rowhouses, and apartment buildings creates varied renovation requirements that our experienced team handles daily.

Houses

Home Renovation

Queens' single-family and two-family homes are the backbone of the borough's housing stock. Our home renovation services address aging roofing, siding, windows, and foundations alongside interior improvements. We handle everything from room additions and basement finishing to complete interior reconfigurations that modernize postwar layouts for contemporary living.

  • Roofing, siding, window, and foundation repair
  • Room additions and finished basements
  • Interior reconfiguration of closed postwar layouts
  • Full mechanical upgrades alongside finish work
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General contractor in Queens — Melani General Contractor home renovation with new siding and replacement windows
Kitchens

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen renovations in Queens homes frequently involve expanding closed-off cooking spaces into open-concept layouts. We remove walls between kitchens and dining rooms, install custom cabinetry, stone countertops, and modern appliances, and upgrade plumbing and electrical systems to support contemporary kitchen demands.

  • Wall removal between kitchen and dining room
  • Custom cabinetry and stone countertops
  • Dedicated appliance circuits and gas line work
  • Supply and drain replacement behind the walls
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Queens kitchen remodel by Melani General Contractor with open-concept peninsula and quartz countertops
Bathrooms

Bathroom Renovation

Queens bathroom renovations range from updating dated tile and fixtures in postwar homes to complete gut-and-rebuild projects adding modern walk-in showers, heated floors, and double vanities. Many Queens bathrooms require updated plumbing — replacing galvanized supply lines and cast iron drains that are 50–70+ years old.

  • Walk-in showers, heated floors, and double vanities
  • Galvanized supply and cast iron drain replacement
  • Full waterproofing before tile goes on
  • Ventilation and dedicated GFCI circuits
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Queens bathroom renovation by Melani General Contractor with walk-in glass shower and double vanity
Co-ops & Condos

Apartment and Co-op/Condo Renovation

Queens features significant co-op housing stock, particularly the pioneering garden apartment co-ops of Jackson Heights and the postwar high-rises in Rego Park and Forest Hills. Our co-op and condo renovation services include alteration agreement management, board coordination, and compliance with building-specific requirements. We also handle apartment renovations in rental conversions and newer condominium buildings throughout the borough.

  • Alteration agreement packages and board coordination
  • Garden apartment co-op shared infrastructure access
  • Postwar high-rise stack and riser tie-ins
  • Apartment renovations in condos and rental conversions
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Garden apartment co-op renovation in Jackson Heights by a general contractor in Queens

Gut Renovation

Older Queens homes sometimes require complete gut renovation — stripping to studs and replacing all mechanical systems, insulation, drywall, and finishes. This approach addresses multiple deferred maintenance issues simultaneously and brings the entire property up to current code standards.

Co-op & Condo Renovation

Garden apartment co-ops in Jackson Heights and Sunnyside, plus managed buildings in Rego Park and Forest Hills, each maintain their own approval process. We prepare alteration agreement packages, insurance certificates, and construction schedules before any demolition is scheduled.

Apartment Renovation

From cosmetic refreshes to full gut work in Long Island City condominiums and rental conversions, we sequence apartment renovations around building work hours, freight elevator windows, and protection of finished common areas.

Trade Services

We provide standalone plumbing, electrical, flooring, and painting services throughout Queens. Common needs include panel upgrades for homes with 100-amp service needing 200-amp capacity, galvanized pipe replacement, hardwood floor refinishing or new LVP installation, and interior/exterior painting for houses with weather exposure.

PlumbingGalvanized supply line and cast iron drain replacement in homes built between the 1920s and 1960s.
ElectricalPanel upgrades for homes with 100-amp service needing 200-amp capacity, plus grounding and rewiring.
FlooringHardwood refinishing and new LVP installation throughout houses, co-ops, and condominiums.
PaintingInterior and exterior painting for Queens houses with weather exposure, using lead-safe prep.
Building Stock

The Queens Building and Renovation Landscape

Queens housing stock consists primarily of detached single-family homes, two-family structures, and garden apartment complexes. The majority of residential construction occurred between 1920 and 1960, with significant postwar development in eastern neighborhoods after highway expansion improved access. These buildings typically feature brick veneer exteriors, wood frame construction, and original cast iron or galvanized steel plumbing systems.

Forest Hills Gardens showcases Tudor Revival architecture with strict covenant requirements governing exterior modifications. Flushing and Bayside contain substantial numbers of Cape Cod and Colonial Revival homes. Jackson Heights pioneered the garden apartment co-op model during the 1920s, creating unique renovation requirements for shared infrastructure and board approvals. Long Island City's waterfront has seen significant new condominium development, adding modern high-rise renovation needs to the borough's mix.

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Queens kitchen remodel by Melani General Contractor in a single-family home
What We Plan For

Common Renovation Challenges in Queens

Most Queens homes were built between the 1920s and 1960s. These are the conditions we expect to find and price for before demolition begins.

Lead Paint and Asbestos

Pre-1978 housing comprises the majority of Queens' residential stock. Asbestos insulation around heating pipes and in floor tiles, combined with lead-based paint, requires EPA-certified remediation during renovation. Our certification (NAT-F277952-1) ensures compliant handling.

Aging Mechanical Systems

Homes built in the 1940s–1960s typically have original plumbing and electrical systems at or past the end of their service life. Galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains, 100-amp panels, and ungrounded wiring are common findings during renovation.

Foundation and Water Management

Queens homes with basements frequently experience water infiltration due to aging foundation waterproofing and inadequate drainage. Proper renovation addresses grading, drainage, foundation sealing, and sump pump installation.

Zoning and Setback Requirements

Queens' residential zoning varies significantly by neighborhood. Room additions, extensions, and accessory dwelling units must comply with lot coverage, FAR, setback, and height restrictions specific to each zoning district.

Co-op Board Requirements

Garden apartment co-ops in Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, and other neighborhoods have their own renovation approval processes, work hour restrictions, and insurance requirements that must be navigated before construction begins.

Mixed Construction Methods

Detached homes, attached rowhouses, garden complexes, and waterfront high-rises sit side by side in Queens. Each carries different framing, mechanical, and access conditions that shape how the work is sequenced.

Investment

Renovation Costs in Queens

Queens renovation costs are generally lower than Manhattan and Brooklyn due to easier material access, less complex building logistics, and fewer landmark restrictions. Here are general ranges.

Cosmetic Update (paint, fixtures, hardware)$8,000 – $25,000
Kitchen Remodel$25,000 – $65,000+
Bathroom Renovation$12,000 – $40,000+
Single-Family Home Renovation (multiple rooms)$50,000 – $150,000
Full Gut Renovation$125 – $300+ / sq ft

Queens-specific cost factors include foundation and waterproofing work for homes with basements, exterior renovation costs (siding, roofing, windows) not applicable to apartment renovations, and zoning compliance costs for additions or conversions.

Permits & Regulations

Permits and Regulations in Queens

DOB permits are required for structural modifications, plumbing and electrical work, room additions, and mechanical system upgrades. Queens' varied zoning districts impose specific requirements for lot coverage, building height, and setback distances that affect renovation scope. Co-op boards in garden apartment complexes and managed buildings maintain additional approval requirements.

Our team manages the complete permit process, including DOB filings, zoning analysis, board package preparation, and inspection coordination throughout construction.

DOB Work Permits

Required for structural modifications, plumbing and electrical work, room additions, and mechanical system upgrades, filed under our license.

Zoning Analysis

Lot coverage, FAR, setback, and height limits vary by district and shape what can be built on your specific Queens lot.

Board Packages

Garden apartment co-ops and managed buildings require alteration agreements, insurance certificates, and schedules before work starts.

Inspections & Sign-Off

We coordinate DOB inspections through construction and carry every open permit to final sign-off.

Coverage

Queens Neighborhoods We Serve

From Astoria and Long Island City to Bayside, Whitestone, and Howard Beach — our licensed crews work across the entire borough.

Astoria
Bayside
Corona
Elmhurst
Flushing
Forest Hills
Fresh Meadows
Howard Beach
Jackson Heights
Jamaica
Kew Gardens
Little Neck
Long Island City
Maspeth
Middle Village
Ozone Park
Rego Park
Ridgewood
Sunnyside
Whitestone
Woodside
Why Melani

Why Choose Melani General Contractor in Queens

Twenty-two years of New York work, an active DOB license, and the documentation Queens homeowners, boards, and managing agents expect.

NYC Licensed General Contractor (#626219)

Active DOB license valid through December 2028, authorizing permits and trade supervision for all residential construction.

22+ Years of Verified Experience

Extensive track record with Queens single-family homes, two-family structures, garden apartment co-ops, and condominium buildings.

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

Qualified for renovation work in pre-1978 housing, which includes the majority of Queens' residential stock.

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.

Queens Housing Expertise

Familiarity with the borough's diverse construction methods, from Tudor Revival in Forest Hills to postwar wood-frame in eastern neighborhoods.

Process

Our Renovation Process

Five steps, in order — from the first Queens site visit through DOB sign-off and final walkthrough.

  1. 1

    On-Site Consultation

    We visit your Queens property, assess structural conditions and systems, review zoning and building requirements, and discuss your renovation goals.

  2. 2

    Design and Estimate

    We prepare a detailed scope of work with itemized costs, coordinating with architects and engineers as needed for additions or structural work.

  3. 3

    Permits and Approvals

    We file DOB applications, prepare board packages for co-ops, and obtain all required permits before construction.

  4. 4

    Construction

    Our crews handle demolition, structural work, mechanical rough-in, and finish work — flooring, cabinetry, tile, painting, and hardware.

  5. 5

    Final Inspection and Walkthrough

    We coordinate DOB inspections, obtain sign-offs, and conduct a detailed walkthrough before closeout.

Complete Range of Services

Every Service We Provide in Queens

Renovation, structural work, and licensed trades under one contract, coordinated by a single point of contact.

Apartment RenovationSingle room updates through full gut renovations that reconfigure layouts and replace mechanical systems.Bathroom RenovationWalk-in showers, heated flooring and waterproofing in pre-war and postwar buildings.Brownstone RenovationFacade restoration, parlor floor remodels, staircase rebuilds and garden-level conversions.Commercial RenovationBuildouts and refits coordinated around building management and DOB inspection schedules.Condo & Co-op RenovationAlteration agreements, board packages and shared infrastructure coordination handled end to end.Electrical ServicesKnob-and-tube and early BX wiring upgraded to modern 200-amp panels.Flooring InstallationHardwood refinishing and engineered flooring with STC-rated underlayment for managed buildings.General ContractingAll trades coordinated, permits filed, inspections managed from demolition to closeout.Gut RenovationComplete multi-floor renovations addressing structure, plumbing risers and electrical service.Home RenovationRoom additions, basement finishing and exterior work on detached and semi-detached homes.Kitchen RemodelingOpen-concept layouts, custom cabinetry and stone countertops with full appliance rough-in.Loft RenovationMezzanine construction and core-drilled plumbing on concrete slabs in converted industrial buildings.Painting ServicesInterior painting with EPA Lead-Safe surface preparation for pre-1978 housing stock.Plumbing ServicesGalvanized pipe and cast iron waste stack replacement in pre-war buildings.Townhouse RenovationMulti-floor limestone and rowhouse renovations, including landmark district properties.
Other Boroughs We Serve

Beyond Queens

The same licensed crews that renovate Queens houses and co-ops take assignments across the rest of New York City.

BrooklynManhattanBronxStaten Island
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Schedule Your Queens Renovation Consultation

Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site assessments at your Queens property. We evaluate structural conditions, review zoning 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.

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Emergency Building Repair

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

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Scheduled and on-call building upkeep programs for owners and managing agents.

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Apartment Turnover

Fast paint, floor and fixture turnovers that shorten vacancy between tenants.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Renovation in Queens

Costs range from $8,000 for cosmetic updates to $125–$300+ per square foot for full gut renovations. Kitchen remodels typically run $25,000–$65,000+. Queens costs are generally lower than Manhattan and Brooklyn due to easier material access and logistics.