Whether you're buying a two bedroom apartment in Manhattan with plans to renovate or remodeling your current NYC home, we're here to help you budget properly.
May 17, 2023
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Cost Of Remodeling A Two Bedroom Apartment In Manhattan
Apartment renovations in New York City are complicated. To help readers digest the full scope of costs, we've broken down expense expectations for a two bedroom apartment renovation in Manhattan.
Apartments in Manhattan come in all shapes and sizes. One of the most common is a two-bedroom apartment, whether that be a condo on the UWS, a co-op in Chelsea or loft in Greenwich. We’re often asked the cost to renovate a two bedroom NYC home, but the answer depends on job size.
The main variable cost of any Manhattan apartment renovation is the level of work required. If architectural plans warrant room expansion and reconfiguring the floor-plan, a gut renovation will be required, which incurs additional costs for added labor and material removal, outdated framing and MEP systems (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), and costs of living away from home during renovation. If the renovation is more cosmetic and requires less structural adjustments, a basic renovation or remodel will suffice and costs will be more minimal.

The average cost for an apartment renovation in Manhattan is best thought of in three tiers: standard, lighter-scope renovations generally start around $400–$500 per square foot, full mid-range gut renovations run about $450–$550 per square foot, and higher-end/luxury guts typically land around $550–$860 per square foot, with ultra-custom work starting at $950+ per square foot. Since a typical two-bedroom NYC apartment is roughly 800–1,200 sq ft, expect a full-space gut renovation with mid-range to upper-mid finishes to total about $340,000–$660,000, and $440,000–$1.03M if you’re reaching into higher-end finishes and heavier customization, through a full-service design-build contractor.
Since many buildings in Manhattan were built nearly a century ago, renovations in older apartments often face unforeseen surprises that incur additional costs. As a full-service design-build firm, we test early in the planning process for numerous factors like asbestos, electrical loads, and hidden structural, plumbing, and electrical elements. Based on findings, we give clients their site conditions and options, then propose the costs for all potential routes. For more info, read Common Surprises When Renovating A NYC Apartment.

Every Manhattan apartment renovation timeline looks different. On average, clients looking for a full home renovation to their two bedroom apartment can expect timelines similar to these:
If the renovation doesn’t require building additional rooms or significantly restructuring the apartment, the planning process takes approximately 90-120 days.
A common factor that extends the planning phase is whether the proposed renovation requires architectural plans. In this scenario, the plans must first be submitted to the building's reviewing architect or condo/co-op board for approval.
Construction and build timelines are impacted by the scope, site conditions and building rules. Normally, a full renovation of an average-sized two bedroom apartment takes 4-6 months although timelines can vary based on the specific factors.
We are experienced apartment renovation contractors in New York City with an end-to-end approach and expertise to drive all aspects of your Manhattan home renovation, from interior design and architectural planning to building board management and construction - all within one comprehensive price-point. Ready to renovate? Contact us for a consultation and find out why our full-service design-build approach makes most sense when choosing a home renovation contractor in NYC.