Planning a renovation in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island or Manhattan? Tell us what you want to do. We’ll look at the scope, explain the permits and approvals it needs, and either take the job ourselves or refer it to our licensed partner contractor.
Start my renovation request Call or text (332) 333-8713
Renovation services
- Kitchen renovation: layouts, cabinets, gas and plumbing moves, co-op kitchens.
- Bathroom renovation: waterproofing, wet-over-dry rules, plumbing permits.
- Gut renovation: whole apartments and houses taken back to the studs.
- Basement renovation: finished basements, and what is and isn’t legal to live in.
- Brownstone and townhouse renovation: multi-floor work, landmarks, period details.
- Construction: additions and new homes.
What NYC renovations cost: published ranges
| Project | Published starting points | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Medium kitchen, same layout | from about $26,000 (budget), $40,000 (mid-range), $85,000+ (high-end) | Sweeten, Oct 2026 |
| Full bathroom, same layout | from about $18,000 (budget), $28,000 (mid-grade), $40,500 (high-end) | Sweeten, Oct 2026 |
| Whole-home remodel | about $100 to $200 per sq ft; gut with customization $200 to $300 | Sweeten cost-per-sq-ft guide |
| Brownstone gut | roughly $300 to $500 per sq ft, $600 to $800 with full systems upgrades | Brick Underground |
Cost figures are published estimates from the sources linked, not quotes from us. Prices change with labor and material costs; your number depends on your building and scope.
How a renovation request works
- Tell us about the project. Use the form or text photos to (332) 333-8713. Borough, ZIP, property type, budget range and timeline help most.
- Scope call or walkthrough. We ask what’s behind the walls, what the building allows, and what needs permits.
- Proposal from whoever will do the work. Either NH Construction or our named partner contractor gives you a written estimate. NYC home improvement contracts must be in writing and include the contractor’s DCWP license number.
- Approvals. Co-op or condo board package, DOB filings by a licensed architect, engineer, plumber or electrician where required, and Landmarks approval for some brownstones.
- Build, inspections and sign-off. The job isn’t finished until permits are signed off and, in a co-op, the building releases your deposit.
Permits and approvals, in plain English
- Some work needs no DOB permit. DOB lists minor work, such as installing new kitchen cabinets, that doesn’t need one (DOB: Do I need a permit?). The contractor still needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
- Moving plumbing or gas needs a Licensed Master Plumber, who files the work with DOB.
- New circuits or service changes need a licensed electrician to file electrical work.
- Walls, structure, layout or occupancy changes need plans filed in DOB NOW: Build by a registered architect or professional engineer.
- Co-ops and condos require board approval under an alteration agreement before work starts.
- Landmarked buildings need a Landmarks Preservation Commission permit for many exterior changes (LPC Permit Guidebook).
Renovate, or sell as-is?
Sometimes the renovation costs more than it adds. Because iBuyAHome also buys houses as-is, we can put two numbers next to each other: the estimated renovation cost and an as-is offer. See houses that need repairs and DOB violations.
Who does the work
Every request is read by Naor Harari. Depending on the scope, the borough and the schedule, the job is either done by NH Construction or referred to our licensed partner contractor, an independent company that handles all trades. If your project is referred, we tell you the contractor’s name before they contact you, and you sign a contract directly with that contractor. Our partner contractor may pay iBuyAHome a referral fee. [PLACEHOLDER: attorney to approve this disclosure and the vetting steps we actually perform, e.g. DCWP license check, insurance certificate, references]
Before you sign with anyone, including us, check the contractor’s license on the DCWP license lookup and ask for a certificate of insurance.
Questions to ask any NYC contractor
- What is your DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license number? (Check it on the city’s lookup.)
- Who files the permits, and who will be on site every day?
- Can I see your certificate of insurance, naming my building if it’s a co-op or condo?
- What is the payment schedule? Is the down payment tied to work actually started?
- How are change orders priced and approved, in writing?
Frequently asked questions
Do you do the renovation yourselves or send it to someone else?
Both, depending on the job. Naor reviews every request. Some projects are done by NH Construction; others are referred to our licensed partner contractor. We tell you who it is before they contact you, and the partner may pay us a referral fee.
Is there a charge to submit a request?
No. Submitting a request is free and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Do I need a permit to renovate in NYC?
It depends on the work. Cosmetic work and some minor items need no DOB permit, but plumbing, gas, electrical, structural and layout changes generally do. DOB’s “Do I need a permit?” page is the starting point.
How long does a co-op renovation take?
Expect the approvals to take as long as some of the construction. Board review of an alteration package commonly takes weeks to a few months, depending on how often the board meets and how many review rounds the plans go through.
Which boroughs do you cover?
Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm any limits by project type]