Hi all, I've been reading threads about renovations and i actually posted this a few days ago under sales (by accident), but i only got a few responses to i am reposting here). My wife and I are looking to buy a 2 br in a brownstone in north park slope and have some renovations in mind. we are not yet in contract, but were thinking that we wanted to look at the place with a contractor to first... [more]
Hi all, I've been reading threads about renovations and i actually posted this a few days ago under sales (by accident), but i only got a few responses to i am reposting here).
My wife and I are looking to buy a 2 br in a brownstone in north park slope and have some renovations in mind. we are not yet in contract, but were thinking that we wanted to look at the place with a contractor to first gauge the feasibility of our ideas, before we actually sign a lease (we're probably not going to buy it if we cant make at least some of the changes we want to).
1)is this done? will contractors look at places and give you their advice even if you haven't bought the place yet? we'd be happy to reimburse for his time. along those lines, is this something we should ask a contractor, or should we be bringing an architect? we wouldn't even necessarily want a full estimate, maybe a ball park, and more of a question of "is this feasible", or are some of our ideas just not possible for whatever reason.
2)its about 820 sq ft, not huge, we want to remove one wall to expand the living room, and build a wall to divide the master bedroom into 2 smaller rooms. we also want to replace kitchen counter tops & cabinets, and re-do the bathroom fixtures. we also want to add a little more closet space, and with wall movement, we're probably going to be adding doors and things too.
does this qualify as a "gut renovation"? we aren't replacing floors or anything...but our concern is, if we cant afford to both money & time wise make some of these changes, we dont want to bother with the apartment at all.
what do you guys think in terms of cost & time? i know it can take up to 2 months to even get the project approved (it's a co op), never mind the work itself, so if we buy this place we'd ideally like to do the changes before we move in, if possible.
thoughts?
thanks so much!!
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Response by CAPITALcraft
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 98
Member since: Mar 2010
alan6uy,
It looks like you will require some basic construction plans (existing and new) and a permit application to your co-op board. However, each board acts differently. Have you asked them yet if they need you to obtain a permit? How they determine a partial v full renovation? The co-op board will answer these questions better than a GC can.
If you just need a ballpark, can you send a link to the property with floor plan and a few photos?
stephen@capitalcraftsmen.com
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Response by Primer05
almost 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Alan6uy
I would be happy to meet you there and go over everything you want to do and see if it will work
Send me an email at primerenovations@mac.com or call 646-436-3942
thank you both, however we are not in contract yet. i was wondering if generally, contractors are willing to meet with people at this stage of the game. i realize its difficult to give an estimate without looking (and i also realize as professionals you would like to solicit some business) but i've noticed other threads on the site where people gave rough numbers. from what the sellers have told us, the board is generally very receptive to renovations and usually does not require permits. when we reviewed existing permits/new permits for the building on the nyc dept of buildings website, it seems the only permits issued were 1 for a roof deck and the other for converting 2 separate apartments to a duplex. both seem like involved jobs that would certainly require a permit so that makes sense. i dont know if its just that no other apartment has made any renos, or maybe the building has been lax about permits and others have done them.
thanks,
Alan
alan6uy,
It looks like you will require some basic construction plans (existing and new) and a permit application to your co-op board. However, each board acts differently. Have you asked them yet if they need you to obtain a permit? How they determine a partial v full renovation? The co-op board will answer these questions better than a GC can.
If you just need a ballpark, can you send a link to the property with floor plan and a few photos?
stephen@capitalcraftsmen.com
Alan6uy
I would be happy to meet you there and go over everything you want to do and see if it will work
Send me an email at primerenovations@mac.com or call 646-436-3942
You can view my work at www.primerenovationsnyc.com
thank you both, however we are not in contract yet. i was wondering if generally, contractors are willing to meet with people at this stage of the game. i realize its difficult to give an estimate without looking (and i also realize as professionals you would like to solicit some business) but i've noticed other threads on the site where people gave rough numbers. from what the sellers have told us, the board is generally very receptive to renovations and usually does not require permits. when we reviewed existing permits/new permits for the building on the nyc dept of buildings website, it seems the only permits issued were 1 for a roof deck and the other for converting 2 separate apartments to a duplex. both seem like involved jobs that would certainly require a permit so that makes sense. i dont know if its just that no other apartment has made any renos, or maybe the building has been lax about permits and others have done them.
thanks,
Alan