taking down a wall

Most likely it can be done. The first step would be to hire an architect. You might be able to get one to come to your apt for free to "measure" so they could tell you if it could be done at all. My guess is the process would cost between 10-20K.

Architect 5K
Building Architect: 1K
City Filing Fees: 200
Contractor: 5-10K
Painting, moldings, doors, door frames, etc: 500-5K

Thanks so much, but this is not a bit overpriced?

I guess it could be lower, but things in NYC tend to get pricey. The problem is that you cant just hire a contractor to do the work. You have to present an alteration package to the board. That involves fees. The buildings architect will have to review the plans, that costs money. He may rubber stamp the plans, but technically if you take down or put up a wall, you have to file with the DOB. If you file with the DOB, you have to present your own architect's plans. That means hiring an architect, and then paying for your building's architect to review those plans. Then you have to pay the contractor, painter, etc. If you are removing or installing doors, door frames, crown moldings or baseboard moldings, that can get more expensive. I don't know if there are ceiling beams that will be affected, but that could cost more money too.

If you watch HGTV, they could do this in no time for very little money. In NYC it costs more, and takes time.

the magic word here is coop, and i think that condos would require similar. this is the reason for the extra $10K+ for a $5K- job.

In thinking about why this adds up so quickly, remember you will need to patch the floor where the wall is removed and that means refinishing the floors in both rooms. Of course there is moulding to replace (including crowns?) which must be matched to existing mouldings, and if matching cannot be done, then all moulding in room should be replaced--mismatched mouldings, imo, look half-assed and people WILL notice--it is worth doing right.

Whenever you reconfigure rooms, you need a permit, generally speaking, and building approval. This is based on concerns for fire safety and code compliance in a host of other areas.

Do you know if I can choose my own contractor and Architect?or here also there are rules?

I'll do it for $50 -- but you gotta buy the plywood and the beer.

Switel

Of course you can choose your own architect and contractor. You might want to ask around your building for recommendations as a start. If a contractor or architect has done work in your building before, it can make things a little easier with the board approval process.

Thank you so much for all your comments

You choose your own architect and GC. Building has an engineer hired to review plans. They charge you for submitting them to him. About $250+/hr. Expect about $500 for his fees.

so there is a fee for the building architect and building engineer?
only in nyc

There isn't a building architect AND engineer. It is only one of those. Relax.

sounds better

It is probably not worth the trouble in my opinion and it is not easy to match everything perfectly especially floring

And in the end you will end up with a wall which sound travels thru about 3 to 5 times more. And in terms of "remember you will need to patch the floor where the wall is removed and that means refinishing the floors in both rooms."; to have it come out right you will often have to replace the entire floors in both rooms.

Also, "There isn't a building architect AND engineer. It is only one of those. Relax." is not necessarily true: I know plenty of building which have both a building architect and engineer. You just generally don't submit renovation plans for individual units to both.

have you considered a pressure wall?

I would call a contractor for a free onsite estimate 646-721-2266
Ask for Sharon, they are inexpensive honest people.
Good luck