New York City isn't an easy municipality to do anything, especially remodeling.
The first thing you MUST before starting any renovation in New York City is contact the managing agent of the building (or the HOA) in which you reside to obtain a copy of the alteration rules for the building or property site.
You will discover those rules are usually found in a rather large set of documents or binder(s).
If you act before you research, you could find serious consequences for renovating anything without the proper permissions and permits, all in writing.
Most buildings maintain established blackout times that prohibit any work on weekends, after certain hours, on certain religious holidays (or over the entire holiday period), and with many being far more restrictive (such as who can do the work)!!!
Some buildings only allow the work to be performed, between July 1st and Sept. 30th, when buildings in the city tend to have fewer occupants because New Yorkers flock to The Hamptons, The Jersey Shore, or jet away to international vacations.
You'll need the approval of your HOA board, if that applies, or the building owner/agent/
Don't begin ANY work, city permit needed or not, before you secure approval from the co-op, condo, or HOA board.
That means you must provide plans for their review, insurance certificates, copies of licenses for contractors, and other paperwork, to the managing agent, board resident, or correct official.
The "board" will have your plans reviewed by an architect retained by the building to ensure they comply with building rules and building code requirements.
You, of course, will be billed for this review.
Trust me when I say it will cost YOU hundreds or thousands of dollars, before you've pounded one nail, screwed in one screw, or laid one tile.
If you fail to get board (and city approval), it will get even more expensive, and contentious.
So, don't proceed (no matter how qualified you may be) without making sure you are authorized to proceed.
Excuse me, now my rant about HOA, condo, and co-op board.
I will never understand why anyone thinks they are BUYING or even paid for in CASH property under the draconian rule of the royals, known as an HOA, co-op, or condo board.
Those "critters" tend to often be more outrageous than elected, (or appointed) city or county officials.
Rant over, sorry, but I can't stop myself.
If your board (or building official) has approved your plans, you'll probably need an architect or engineer.
Yes, architect or engineer.
Whichever one you HIRE can file the necessary application with the Department of Buildings
<=============================>
THESE FINE BUREAUCRATS:
NYC Department of Buildings
<=============================>
for the work permit(s), if required.
Many contractors use an expediter, a professional who specializes in preparing and navigating the complex web of necessary paperwork and inspections to work the permit through the bureacratic sewers.
It gets better and better, mate.
I know this from the 18 months I had to spend at a certain HQ in NYC, while my firm renovated the corporate digs I was assigned.
The assignment was 18 months.
I lived in a hotel for 12 of those months, and eventually spent the remaining five months in that same hotel.
I traveled back to my home weekly.
Suffice to say, the corporate apartment was never occupied by me, but the firm did finish the work Summer of 2003. LOL
My saga began about March of 2002, yeah after "911" of the previous year!!!!
The building was in a landmark district area.
So, if you live in a building or district that has landmark status, you first need to secure approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
---
--- That would be these folks
Landmarks Preservation Commission
'''
'''
If your building was built before April 1st of 1987, you'll need to have an asbestos inspection completed by a certified asbestos inspector, at your expense.
Then your architect or engineer can obtain Department of Buildings approval by either certifying the plans, or having them reviewed by one of the department's examiners.
Certification by YOUR architect or engineer is much faster, because the permit is often issued within 48 hours, as opposed to the bureaucrat 30-60 days. LOL
Okay, I'm done except to say you have choices.
However, the wrong choices will cost you dearly, even more dearly than the correct choices.
Good luck, and let us hear back about the journey upon which you're poised to embark.
Bon chance.......
