Hi everyone, I want to do some light renovations on a condo, but I’m not sure how long each step in the renovation process will take. Please help me estimate of the times. My ultimate goal is to arrive at an approx. move-in date. The renovations are minor: a)put in new hardwood floors and b)put in recessed lighting in the bedroom c)put in a glass wall, with sliding doors, between the dining space... [more]
Hi everyone,
I want to do some light renovations on a condo, but I’m not sure how long each step in the renovation process will take.
Please help me estimate of the times. My ultimate goal is to arrive at an approx. move-in date.
The renovations are minor:
a)put in new hardwood floors and
b)put in recessed lighting in the bedroom
c)put in a glass wall, with sliding doors, between the dining space and the living room . I’m one of those who doesn’t like open floorplans
d)(not sure I’ll need this) fix/replace the recessed lighting that’s currently in the living room, because adding a glass wall –from step 3--could mess up the current arrangement of recessed lighting
e)(not sure if I want this): put in surround-sound speakers so that I can have an a
Before I move in, I have to do the following steps
Step 1)request permission from my condo and wait for it to approve my renovations.
How long will this step take? Or does this vary wildly from building to building. (Btw, my building is 330 E. 38th Street, the Corinthian, and I think that the above renovations should be approved fairly easily. I’ve seen other units in the same line that have put up French doors to divide up the living room and dining room.)
Step 2)The renovations I outlined above… items a) through e)
How long will all the renovations take
Am I missing any steps?
Let's say that my closing date is 9/30/14. What is a safe estimate of my move-in date?
Thank you in advance!
Coy
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Response by Primer05
over 11 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Coy,
I recently renovated an apartment in your building. Besides the service elevator not working for a week ( couldn't work at all that week) the building was great in all aspects.
It is impossible to say how long your project will take without more information. How many sq ft is your apartment? The apt I renovated did not have drop ceilings so we could not install recessed lighting. Are you planning on dropping your ceiling 6"? Do you have dropped ceilings now?
C could be a problem as the building might require architectural drawings and might want it filed.
If you don't need the drawings it should take your building 1-2 weeks to approve.
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Response by ManhattanBradNY
over 11 years ago
Posts: 37
Member since: Aug 2008
Hi Coy,
I finished a renovation a few months back. I think what a lot of people forget to take into account is the design time, choosing materials and the lead time it takes to order materials, make sure they're all delivered (without delays). That, in and of itself, takes a bit of time. If you're ordering specific glass doors or happen to like materials that aren't "stock" materials - could take an extra 5-7 weeks for delivery. It sounds like you're not doing hefty redesign, at least, that requires backsplashes, tiles, appliances, etc...
Your building will likely want to see a scope of work and drawings of the proposed changes you are making. Again, you'll need to set aside a few weeks or so to meet with a contractor, architect or designer to go through this with you. I agree with Primer in that if you do not need an architect for your renovation (if you're not moving/breaking down walls), your condo board should take 1-2 weeks to give you approval. However, I have seen some boards take 4 weeks and longer to get back to some of my buyers about their renovation. If they have any questions about the work, they will come back and make additional requests which you'll have to meet.
You should interview a few different contractors and get a sense of their proposed timelines.......and add 2-3 weeks to whatever they say. ; ) There are almost always delays. I renovated my kitchen and bath - and did new lighting all around. From design to board approval to demo to finish - it took 7 months. I was told it would take 5.5-6 months......but I had a slew of issues with my contractor in the end! Your project is much less extensive.
Good luck! And get a few experts in (at least 3) and gauge what they say with regards to timelines for the actual work. Perhaps add on about 2 weeks to what your contractor says about work-time to allot for getting drawings completed, choosing and ordering materials. You can submit your proposal to the board and order your materials at the same time. Hopefully, you'll then be ahead of the timeline and have everything (materials) in and ready to go once you get that approval (provided you anticipate board approval for minimal work!). It's pretty rare that they say no to reasonable requests. An experienced contractor can guide you in all this -- and using someone who knows your building is a plus. Management may have some references for you as well. Good luck!
CoyWolf,
I live in the Corinthian and had my apt renovated and was in a similar situation as yours. We had closed on the condo and wanted to move in on a specific date last year.
I am happy to share my experience and can answer all your questions in more or less precise detail as there is quite a of overlap.
You can also come over and see our place/renovations and I can guide you with certain pointers, dos&donts with respect to the Corinthian. I am aware of the Corinthian requirements with respect to renovations and their process.
If you share your contact info, I will reach out to you.
Best wishes for your move and renovations!
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Response by CoyWolf
over 11 years ago
Posts: 124
Member since: Jul 2007
SVRoad,
Thank you're a God/Buddha -send! Please email me at KhoiTLuu@aol.com. Or call : 646/522-0857. I'd love to take you up on your offer and view your apartment too. . I'll bring a housewarming gift. :-). Btw, from closing date to the date when all your renovations were finished-- how many weeks did it take? 8 weeks? 12?
Thanks again.
Coy
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Response by CoyWolf
over 11 years ago
Posts: 124
Member since: Jul 2007
Jeff (PRimer): thanks for your feedback. I'll email you later and, if it's not too much trouble, ask you to come in for a walk-through and estimate of costs/time line.
Brad: Thanks for your input. Your blog just got a new, faithful reader.
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Response by sp21
over 11 years ago
Posts: 99
Member since: Feb 2013
Jeff is excellent, he renovated my Brooklyn loft and I love it. Also, there is an advantage to using someone who worked in the building because they somehow know the way the building works, how to get parking nearby, the building staff etc.... all of which does make it easier. That's not a reason to hire him, but just one factor to keep in mind. Best of luck.
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Response by ProInNyc
over 11 years ago
Posts: 28
Member since: May 2011
I got to say Jeff is the best. He renovated my apt a yr ago and I contacted him a week ago to have something fixed. Next thing you know the best crew shows up right on time and took care of everything for free. Jeff is as reliable as it gets.
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Coy,
I recently renovated an apartment in your building. Besides the service elevator not working for a week ( couldn't work at all that week) the building was great in all aspects.
It is impossible to say how long your project will take without more information. How many sq ft is your apartment? The apt I renovated did not have drop ceilings so we could not install recessed lighting. Are you planning on dropping your ceiling 6"? Do you have dropped ceilings now?
C could be a problem as the building might require architectural drawings and might want it filed.
If you don't need the drawings it should take your building 1-2 weeks to approve.
Hi Coy,
I finished a renovation a few months back. I think what a lot of people forget to take into account is the design time, choosing materials and the lead time it takes to order materials, make sure they're all delivered (without delays). That, in and of itself, takes a bit of time. If you're ordering specific glass doors or happen to like materials that aren't "stock" materials - could take an extra 5-7 weeks for delivery. It sounds like you're not doing hefty redesign, at least, that requires backsplashes, tiles, appliances, etc...
Your building will likely want to see a scope of work and drawings of the proposed changes you are making. Again, you'll need to set aside a few weeks or so to meet with a contractor, architect or designer to go through this with you. I agree with Primer in that if you do not need an architect for your renovation (if you're not moving/breaking down walls), your condo board should take 1-2 weeks to give you approval. However, I have seen some boards take 4 weeks and longer to get back to some of my buyers about their renovation. If they have any questions about the work, they will come back and make additional requests which you'll have to meet.
You should interview a few different contractors and get a sense of their proposed timelines.......and add 2-3 weeks to whatever they say. ; ) There are almost always delays. I renovated my kitchen and bath - and did new lighting all around. From design to board approval to demo to finish - it took 7 months. I was told it would take 5.5-6 months......but I had a slew of issues with my contractor in the end! Your project is much less extensive.
If any of this might help - I blogged about my experience: http://www.buyingnyc.com/buyingnyc-blog/category/surviving%20a%20new%20york%20city%20renovation
Good luck! And get a few experts in (at least 3) and gauge what they say with regards to timelines for the actual work. Perhaps add on about 2 weeks to what your contractor says about work-time to allot for getting drawings completed, choosing and ordering materials. You can submit your proposal to the board and order your materials at the same time. Hopefully, you'll then be ahead of the timeline and have everything (materials) in and ready to go once you get that approval (provided you anticipate board approval for minimal work!). It's pretty rare that they say no to reasonable requests. An experienced contractor can guide you in all this -- and using someone who knows your building is a plus. Management may have some references for you as well. Good luck!
Brad Malow
Rutenberg Realty
www.BuyingNYC.com
CoyWolf,
I live in the Corinthian and had my apt renovated and was in a similar situation as yours. We had closed on the condo and wanted to move in on a specific date last year.
I am happy to share my experience and can answer all your questions in more or less precise detail as there is quite a of overlap.
You can also come over and see our place/renovations and I can guide you with certain pointers, dos&donts with respect to the Corinthian. I am aware of the Corinthian requirements with respect to renovations and their process.
If you share your contact info, I will reach out to you.
Best wishes for your move and renovations!
SVRoad,
Thank you're a God/Buddha -send! Please email me at KhoiTLuu@aol.com. Or call : 646/522-0857. I'd love to take you up on your offer and view your apartment too. . I'll bring a housewarming gift. :-). Btw, from closing date to the date when all your renovations were finished-- how many weeks did it take? 8 weeks? 12?
Thanks again.
Coy
Jeff (PRimer): thanks for your feedback. I'll email you later and, if it's not too much trouble, ask you to come in for a walk-through and estimate of costs/time line.
Brad: Thanks for your input. Your blog just got a new, faithful reader.
Jeff is excellent, he renovated my Brooklyn loft and I love it. Also, there is an advantage to using someone who worked in the building because they somehow know the way the building works, how to get parking nearby, the building staff etc.... all of which does make it easier. That's not a reason to hire him, but just one factor to keep in mind. Best of luck.
I got to say Jeff is the best. He renovated my apt a yr ago and I contacted him a week ago to have something fixed. Next thing you know the best crew shows up right on time and took care of everything for free. Jeff is as reliable as it gets.
Thank you SP21 and ProINNYc.
I appreciate your kind words
Allow 4-6 months.