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Renovating a Fixer-Upper in NYC: What You Need to Know
Renovating a fixer-upper in NYC can be both rewarding and challenging, but it doesn't have to be stressful as long as you know where to start.
“Location, location, location.” The maxim applies to any place you might buy a home, but rings especially true in New York City. Fortunately, your house hunt will often turn up spacious options in your neighborhood of choice, but they might need some major renovations to be move-in ready.
Of course, renovating a fixer-upper can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the process. We know there are uncertainties and overcoming them can feel daunting. In the following guide, we’ll ease any worries with information on where to start a renovation, cost expectations, and how a quality contractor can create a space you’ll love living in for years to come.
Where Do I Start?
The first step to a successful renovation sounds simple: Figure out what you need. But you must go deeper than, “I need a place for my family to live.” Ask yourself these questions:
- WHY DO I WANT TO TACKLE THIS RENOVATION? DO I NEED MORE SPACE FOR MY GROWING FAMILY, OR DO I WANT TO ACHIEVE A DIFFERENT, SPECIFIC AESTHETIC?
- WHAT CHANGES TO MY SPACE’S LAYOUT ARE NECESSARY? DO I NEED ADDITIONAL BATHROOMS, A HOME OFFICE, LARGER BEDROOMS, OR SOMETHING ELSE?
- WHAT OTHER ELEMENTS, SUCH AS NATURAL LIGHT OR PREMIUM CLOSET SPACE, DO I VALUE?
- WILL THIS BE MY FOREVER HOME, OR DO I ENVISION SELLING THIS IN THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS?
- HOW MUCH EFFORT CAN I PERSONALLY PUT INTO THIS PROJECT?
- WHAT IS MY BUDGET?
Considering these questions will help you get a better picture of what your renovation will entail.
What Are My Next Steps?
Once you have your goals nailed down, you can start preparing to hire a contractor for your fixer-upper remodel. Before you can do that, you need to complete the following steps:
1. Create a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves for your project.
2. If you’re renovating a co-op or a condo, obtain a copy of your building or condo board’s alteration agreement to share with potential contractors.
3. Decide what type of renovation approach will work best for your project
Tip: A full-service design-build firm like Gallery Kitchen & Bath can handle your entire project from start to finish, which can be attractive to busy professionals. On the other hand, if you prefer to be in the thick of your project, you can opt to manage the various trades, vendors, approvals, and more yourself — though if you’re not adequately prepared to do all that, you might find yourself with a major headache
4. Compile a list of questions you want to ask your contractors before you meet them in person.
Tip: Any reputable firm will want to speak with you by phone first to get a sense of your project and give you the opportunity to ask questions. It should be a two-way interview as the contractor gets to know you and you get to know them.
5. Research renovation firms and identify two to four that you would like to speak with. From there, you can schedule site visits with at least two firms to discuss your project in detail and review proposals.
How Do I Choose a Contractor?
At this point, you’ll be faced with one of the first major choices of your renovation: which contractor to trust with your project. The decision can be anxiety-inducing, without a clear direction. Thankfully, based on the preparation above, you already have a place to start.
You’ve chosen the kind of renovation approach you would prefer, and that will narrow down your search quite a bit. If you want someone to take care of the entire renovation from start to finish, you’re looking for a full-service design-build firm like Gallery. If you would prefer to do the organization on your own, you’ll be on the hunt for a labor-only contractor. Read More: Design-Build vs Design-Bid-Build: What's The Difference?
Either way, you need to look for a few key things in every potential contractor. First, you can judge contractors’ efficiency by whether they’re on time for calls and meetings — or, at least, aren’t usually late. The last thing you want is a renovation that lasts weeks longer than expected, so punctuality is one of the first things you should look for.
From there, evaluate whether potential contractors act like partners who will guide your goals. If a contractor immediately writes off something you’d love as impossible, move along to the next candidate. Instead, go with someone who accepts your idea and offers suggestions on how to make it possible within whatever budget or space limitations exist.
A good contractor is one who will listen to even your wildest ideas, suggest ways to bring them to life, and guide you through the process objectively. They should recommend finishes and materials you’re not aware of that can meet your design needs without a sky-high price tag. They should answer questions you didn’t even think to ask. And ultimately, they should clearly care as much about your project as you do.
What Will My Project Cost?
The final element of preparation you must do before you can truly begin to bring your fixer-upper renovation to life is to determine cost. Since every project has different variables, cost always depends on the project scope. The key to maintaining control of costs is to start with reasonable expectations.
For instance, if you fall in love with the idea of a certain finish, you might not be able to include other things you want in your budget. Seeing the price points for every element of your renovation laid out in a proposal together can move your mindset toward compromise. And even though an $80,000 kitchen remodel won’t magically change into a $30,000 one, small changes can make a big difference.
Once you have this established, your contractor can move on to providing a cost range for what the entire project would cost without scaling back on anything. The ideal situation for everyone is those figures fit your budget. But if the entire renovation comes in above your price range, your contractor can recommend alternative finishes, more affordable appliances, and additional adjustments to bring costs down without compromising the project. When you’ve got a proposal that both parties can agree on, you can start putting your plans in action. Read more: The Costs Of A Full Apartment Renovation In NYC.
How Can Gallery Help?
As residential renovation experts in Manhattan and Brooklyn, we pride ourselves on our ability to work closely with our clients and bring their ideas to life, no matter how much renovation experience they’ve had. We believe in our ability to act as consultants, and help make the right choices for your project. Our project. If you think a full-service design-build renovation process makes sense for your fixer-upper renovation in NYC, reach out to get a call scheduled with one of Gallery’s design experts to start the process.
