New York is the place to be for many people. It is not only one of the largest cities in the world in terms of area and population but it’s also the home to many growing industries that are constantly creating new jobs.
The ever increasing sprawl in the Big Apple has caused cost of single family homes to be well beyond the economic reach of the average home buyer. This contributed to the popularity of apartment and condo complexes. Now many of these complexes are getting older and changes may be needed. Remodeling condo and apartments makes sense for owners wanting to boost their property value and also for new owners wanting to inject their own style into their living space as well as for those who have already been living in the same condo for years and want something new and different, to without the hassles of moving into another place.
Condo and apartment remodeling is not an easy task, especially if you are aiming at a project involving the exterior. Condominium and apartment buildings use and share common facilities such as heating systems, elevators, hallways and other areas outside personal spaces. Individual condo owners are generally not permitted to make any changes that would affect the common areas without the approval of the condominium board of directors.
Larger projects that involve exterior renovations, also involve several kinds of paperwork before you can get started with the remodeling job.
First off, researching the governing rules imposed by the home owners association is vital. Since most condominium projects consider a harmonious look to be an important selling point, some changes may or may not be permitted. Speak with your residential construction contractor and those on the board in your complex to see what can and can't be done.
If you try to ignore these rules, it may lead to higher costs later, to adapt the original design to the homeowners association specifications, or remove it altogether. For example, let’s say that you want to add a balcony or deck to your unit. The homeowners association may have specific design requirements for balconies and decks or they may be even tell you that a balcony or deck is not permitted at all. Many homeowners associations even restrict the colors you may use to paint the outside of your unit.
For large, external remodeling projects, other documents that need to be acquired, and may include the architectural blueprints, building contract and a city's permit application.
In New York City, and most other areas, minor condo and apartment remodeling that involves only the interior, including changes in the non-structural walls, typically does not require the approval of the homeowners association or the building inspectors. There are many things that you may do to your condo or apartment to match it with your lifestyle and taste. Since the living space in condominiums is often limited, there are certain renovations that can make the area seem larger and keep things better organized.
For example, reatively adding new cabinets can help in minimizing everyday clutter. Recessed lighting can add the illusion of having a much more spacious area. Soundproofing an area or the whole living unit, can add a welcome sense of privacy. Repainting, adding new and updated appliances, and lighting fixtures, renovating kitchens and/ or bathrooms, are all projects that affect your unit alone, without impacting any of the common areas. You don’t need approval from the Board of Directors or anyone else and they can all add to your unit’s value and livability.
Another important thing to consider when remodeling your condor apartment, is hiring a reputable contractor. Whether the project is big or small, letting competent hands handle the dirty job can prove extremely beneficial, especially if you have no experience at all with fixing things. Money is always a big issue, but with a good contractor, you don’t have to worry about mistakes. You get the job done right the first time, with the minimum amount of waste time and inconvenience. You don’t have to keep calling the contractor to come back and fix things that should abandon right the first place and so you have less maintenance cost in the long run.
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