What constitutes a 'renovation' in the eyes of a co-op board?

All of it...especially if you are bringing in outside contractors.

all of that stuff is easy to get approval for. if you start messing with structural walls, plumbing or electricity, that's a different story.

i think i had to get approval for painting... but again just a formality- had to fill out paperwork

Helpful! Thanks, everyone.

Rules change all the time too. Our neighbours just found out the hard way that you need to fill out paperwork for painting and pay $300.

lo888, was it a $300 deposit?

Sometimes management co's charge an application/review fee for major rennovations, but for something like painting just a deposit. you should check w your bldg's mgt co

Very common to be 'fined' by the managment co. for any work done w/o proper procdural complience. Theres the rub my friends btwn Coop and Condo...Coop=Communism, not judging just observing...comrades.

Depends on the building. My architect always made a distinction between renovation and replacement. Most of the time, merely swapping out appliances or fixtures is rather easy. Like others have said...it's when you start to move things and open walls you have a lot to deal with.

Sizzlack...move into your new home yet?

I thought I was moving in with you buddy. Did you push the beds together yet?

falcogold1, first of all, it's not a fine but a deposit, in an unlikely case that a public space gets damaged. After any renovation, that deposit gets back to the owner.
Secondly, all GOOD condos do require management approval for renovation. So some jerk doesn't rip the bearing walls out, or put the illegal toilet over your kitchen.

Sometimes if you have an "excellent record" the super--if he's a managing one will "forget" to ask for deposits

But make sure that not only is everybody licensed but they have insurance--sometimes building specific. I would get charged a couple hundred more because of that. Doesn't matter what they're doing a "good" coop requires insurance and that can be a bitch