can I paint my own unit in a co-op?

you can paint, put down floors, do tiling, replace counter tops, etc by yourself. you may even be able to remove the kitchen and put a new one in as long as you don't move plumbing or electric. i've done all except the replacement of the kitchen in coops.

a happy medium between flat and semi is egg shell or satin finishes.

I'd imagine you can do the work yourself, even in a co-op. I live in a condo and do all the work myself, i.e. adding new baseboards, door trim, built-in shelving, window sills, wall painting, drywall replacement, electrical (small jobs), etc.. The projects were broken up into small chunks at a time. When or if you're handy and have all the tools (miter-saw, portable table saw, router, etc.) it's much cheaper and can be done quickly.

Another reason why I went with a condo as opposed to a co-op. Good luck with your project.

"I'd imagine you can do the work yourself, even in a co-op. I live in a condo and do all the work myself, i.e. adding new baseboards, door trim, built-in shelving, window sills, wall painting, drywall replacement, electrical (small jobs), etc.. The projects were broken up into small chunks at a time. When or if you're handy and have all the tools (miter-saw, portable table saw, router, etc.) it's much cheaper and can be done quickly.

Another reason why I went with a condo as opposed to a co-op."

****

Everyone thinks they're Bob Vila, but they are not, and often end up doing more damage to the building than good.

This is why I went with a co-cop as opposed to a condo.

"This is why I went with a co-cop"

Which one did you go with, Starsky or Hutch? or TJ Hooker!

AL_Assad:

go with the midnight express to Turkey before your car gets bombed.

Go eggshell.

And yes, whatever ab_11218 mentioned uou can do on your own without issues. Have fun.

Hey Matt - do you tell your shareholders they can't paint their own apartments?

Depends on the house rules. The 2 co-ops where I lived, one could not change floors by yourself. Or change out kitchen cabinets. Definitely not allowed to change out drywall or demolish any walls. Read your house rules - am I repeating myself?

I wouldn't trust Bob Vila to hang a picture. Tommy Silva for general construction, Rich Trethewey for HVAC, and Norm Abram for carpentry. If you're lucky, Roger Cook to handle the plants.

The house rules in the co-op I owned stated no construction/reno/painting on the weekends.

I was walking outside one weekend when I saw a painter (not the shareholder) painting an apt.
Could clearly see him through a window.
I wasn't allowed to have my apt. painted on the weekend. Nope, only weekdays 9am-5pm.

I asked why that was allowed. No answer from the managing agent.
I asked the co-op board president at the shareholders meeting.
She said "Oh, we allow quiet painting".

I am handy when it comes to fixing furniture and small stuff around the house, but I know to stay away from floors, kitchens and baths or anything of that ilk. I will gladly pay for that.

Painting seems like a relatively easy task to accomplish with a very pleasing end-result, and if not counting time and energy invested, would save me at least a grand or two.
:)

thanks for your input.

i'd say check your house rules guidelines.. Either way even if you can do it yourself tho, you can't do it at odd hours, you will have to abide usually by the 9 to 5 Monday to Friday rule.

Definitely do not paint in your apartment after 5pm.

Painting your wall is a pretty quiet activity. We're not talking about using some type of compressor / gravity feed tool - just some rollers, brushes, & paint holder. Even if your walls are literally paper thin, I'd rate the noise level as the same as folding your laundry,& making your bed. Though, I would'nt be surprised in the least if some over zealous co-op boards try to tell residents when they can and can't flush their toilet.

Who's going to know you're painting your walls after you get back from work/dinner/gym at 10:00PM?

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PAINT YOUR WALLS ON A SUNDAY at 10PM.

^Why?

Stupid joke.

"I asked the co-op board president at the shareholders meeting.
She said "Oh, we allow quiet painting"."

***

I had to read no further than "she".

Now it makes sense.

classy

just go with it.
Paint is minor change.
Don't even bother yourself to ask.

estimator

coop will want cert of insurance for a painter. thats about it, but you are free to paint your coop, unless you are a woman living in matt's building.

Re: but you are free to paint your coop, unless you are a woman living in matt's building.

LOL!

Thanks for the laugh W34! Matt - why such a bad attitude towards women? Back on topic - I cannot believe that a board has any say whether you do a minor paint job in your own unit. Does this apply to painting on canvas as well? This sounds like a board that needs to be changed

Unless it's stated in the house rules that you can't, painting is fine to do on your own. The coop I almost bought had wording that we just had to alert management that we were painting so they were aware in case someone complained of the smell. Teh coop I bought doesn't even mention repairs other than moving plumbing or electrical.

"why such a bad attitude towards women?"

Who said it's a "bad" attitude?

Yes.

I live in a Co-Op and they are pretty strict about having licensed, bonded workers do everything, but you can still paint on your own. Your homeowners policy should be sufficient to cover you for any damage that might be caused to the building -- seeing as you are not doing any invasive work.

I agree with ab_11218 eggshell paint covers minor flaws nicely and it also wipes down easily if any marks should occur.

won't you hear the thumping sound of the roller hitting the wall on the other side if you paint at like 10pm? Maybe i've lived in places with crappy thin walls.
I'd say paint yourself and probably ok to do it on the weekend, but not at 10pm, turn a radio or TV on while you're doing it so maybe they'll think the thumping is just a subwoofer.

>won't you hear the thumping sound of the roller hitting the wall on the other side if you paint at like 10pm?<

oh wow, you really must have lived somewhere with extremely thin walls!!!

I will be sure to do my painting quietly. LOL

And keep the shades down.

Matt: She was the president but the entire board was having their work/painting done on weekends.
The painter I saw was in a board member's apt.
I wasn't given the "quiet painting" option.