When planning a renovation project for your New York apartment, it’s important to have as much understanding as possible as to how long the work will take, and when it’s likely to be completed. Timelines mean that you can budget more effectively, plan your life better and keep neighbors updated as to the length and extent of any possible disruption.
You will of course get a reasonably accurate timeline from whatever renovation company you choose to work with, but it can help to assess the project before hiring anyone, so that you can be sure you can afford the work and that it will fit in around your schedule.
Here are some things to keep in mind when determining how long your New York apartment renovation will take:
- Building paperwork requirements and submission response time
- Gaining all the necessary permits, such as plumbing and construction
- Getting approval from the condo or co-op management company
- Testing for asbestos and removing it if the building predates 1978
- Preparing your home for the renovation by removing furniture and other items
- Selecting the design
- Choosing products and waiting for them to be delivered
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with renovating your New York apartment and have established an approximate timeline, you can go ahead and select an experienced renovation company that operate within your area, to carry out the work. They’ll begin by putting you in touch with their design team, while they help you to gain all the necessary approval and permits.
Communication is vital
Being able to communicate effectively with your chosen general contractor is essential for keeping the project on track, and you informed, every step of the way. Make sure you’ve spoken to them at length as to the estimated duration of the project, and a good renovation company will keep you up-to-date with respect to any possible delays or problems, such as if a product isn’t available or they encounter unexpected structural issues within the building.
Budgetary considerations
In general, if you invest more than 10% of your home’s value in a single room, you’ll find that it won’t give you a good return on your investment, and therefore will not prove cost-effective. If money is no object, then you can of course renovate your apartment to whatever budget you choose, but if your margins are tight, thinking carefully about what work will pay the most dividend, is going to be the best solution.
Your general contractor will be able to advise you as to what renovations will get you the best return for your money, and if you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future, this will be particularly important.
The condition of the building your apartment is in can also play a significant role in determining your budget, and if old electrical installations and decayed plumbing have to be fixed, or asbestos needs to be removed, this will bump up the overall cost.
Generally speaking, you can expect to spend between $250 and $450 per square foot on an apartment renovation, but this will of course depend on the scale of the project.
How long a New York apartment renovation will take is impossible to say without taking all of the above mentioned factors into account, and without a detailed discussion with a reputable renovation company. However, renovating is still possible on a smaller scale and within a shorter timeline, provided you talk it through in detail with your general contractor.