How To Plan a High-End Renovation in NYC

"How much money realistically can be put into this apartment before the value of this apartment gets obliterated?" That's Lee Stahl's guiding question for renovations. In New York, where everything from zoning laws to nosy neighbors can complicate even the buying process, renovating to turn the space into a dream home may seem like an impossible task.

Still: "[Renovations] are work. They're not harder than anything else if they're done right," Stahl explained. He took TRD into some of his ongoing projects to see his process for planning a renovation. Check out the video for his tips & tricks.

[la_v_nrose]

I’d love to send a message because I have so many questions that I’m trying to get answers too. I’m about to purchase and do a full gut renovation but the order in which things are done and the NY laws are confusing. I’ve been approved by the coop board and they are ready to help me with permits and what not to do the renovation. I’m at the point where I need to see the building plans, find out if there’s asbestos/ led, find out where the electrical is at, find out if I can take walls down where I want, and get a real estimate from a contractor. I’ve been told that in NY an architect draws the plans and then hires people to check if they can be done. But It all sounds backwards to me and I don’t understand. I can’t find anyone who actually talks about the renovation process. Not the pricing of the countertops or when to purchase tile, but like how to you get all the ducks in a row to even know what can be renovated!?