The UES Co-Op & Condo Renovation Process: What to Expect
Every Upper East Side co-op and condo renovation moves through the same phases, but the specifics shift dramatically based on building type. A pre-war Fifth Avenue co-op alteration agreement is a different document than a Yorkville post-war condo's. A landmarked Carnegie Hill address adds LPC review on top of standard DOB filings. Below is the end-to-end process we follow on every UES project, with the points where building type changes the timeline called out specifically. For a comparison of the design-build approach versus the more traditional design-bid-build model, read Design-Build Vs Design-Bid-Build: What's The Difference?
PLANNING & PREP | Architectural Drawing And DOB Filings
Most condo renovations require architectural plans to be approved by the building board along with the NYC Dept of Buildings. We take on all architectural planning and filings with our award winning in-house design team and architects. Learn more about our architecture services.
PLANNING & PREP | Alteration Agreement
Co-op renovations on the Upper East Side are fairly regulated. Co-op boards have alteration agreements which impose rules around what is and isn’t allowed in terms of construction and renovation, including methods that can and can’t be used.
The alteration agreement guides how we approach the project. This involves the following, among other things:
- Plumbing restrictions
- Who to notify
- When work can be done
- Types of materials
- Types of construction methods
- For more specifics on alteration agreements in NYC, read NYC Alterations Agreements: Everything You Need To Know
In order to push the formalities presented above, we strive to establish strong rapport with the super in every building we work in. We consistently earn the relationship, maintaining an open line of communication and collaboration to ensure as seamless of a working environment as possible. We will only do this in certain cases, we will petition your co-op board to make exceptions if we feel it’s a genuine and worthwhile possibility.
PLANNING & PREP | INSPECTIONS & TESTING
Since the average New York City apartment is around 90-years-old, there are often skeletons waiting to be uncovered when renovating. At Gallery, we prioritize all needed tests and inspections before any renovation can begin, in order to ensure no unwelcome surprises arise and delay our agreed-upon timeline. We handle all of the following on behalf of our clients:
- Asbestos Test
- Electrical Test
- Plumbing Inspection
PLANNING & PREP | MATERIAL SELECTION + PROCUREMENT
The most hands-on aspect of any UES condo renovation or co-op remodel is finding materials to bring your chosen interior design style to life. That entails paint color, accent walls, flooring style, mouldings, fixtures, countertops, and more. As a full-service design-build firm we take on the design, sourcing, and procurement of every permanent fixture in your home.
Plus, Gallery is brand-agnostic and vendor-agnostic, meaning we’re not limited in any way with our material selections. Some firms or contractors sell their own materials or have relationships with particular vendors, but our commitment is to our clients. We’ll procure from any vendor, whether international or local. This quality makes our ability to design for both taste and budget fairly flexible.
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