Most problems in a New York City kitchen or bathroom renovation are decided before demolition starts. The building, the approvals and the order of decisions matter as much as the design. These are seven mistakes we see often, and how to avoid each one.
1. Starting before the approvals are in
Co-op and condo boards, and in landmarked buildings the Landmarks Preservation Commission, review renovation plans before work begins. Booking trades or ordering materials before approvals are confirmed can mean paying for a schedule that cannot start. Plan the approval period into the timeline from the first day. Our co-op vs. condo guide explains what each board looks for.
2. Assuming plumbing can move anywhere
Sinks, toilets and showers must connect to the building's risers, and many co-ops do not allow wet rooms above a neighbor's dry rooms. A layout that ignores riser locations may be rejected by the board or require costly redesign. Confirm what can move before the design is finished.
3. Choosing finishes too late
Custom cabinetry, natural stone, tile and some fixtures take time to produce and deliver. When selections are still open once construction starts, crews wait. Selecting and ordering the major materials before demolition is the single most effective way to keep a renovation on schedule.
4. Treating waterproofing as a detail
In an apartment building, a leak does not stay in your apartment. A bathroom needs a continuous waterproofing membrane across the floor and up the shower walls, correct slopes to the drain and testing before tile goes down. It is invisible when the room is finished, which is exactly why it must be done properly. See how we approach it on our bathroom remodeling page.
5. Underestimating what is behind the walls
Older buildings often hide galvanized or cast-iron pipes, old wiring and uneven floors. A renovation that budgets only for the visible work will meet surprises. Opening walls is the moment to replace aging supply lines and bring wiring up to current code, and the budget should include a contingency for what is found.
6. Forgetting the building and the neighbors
Buildings set work hours, elevator reservations and rules for protecting hallways and lobbies. Ignoring them strains relationships with the super, the managing agent and neighbors, and can lead to stop-work notices. A contractor who works in co-ops and condos regularly plans deliveries, protection and noisy work around those rules.
7. Designing the kitchen and bathroom separately
When the kitchen is done one year and the bathroom the next, owners often go through approvals, permits and building disruption twice, and the finishes may not relate. If both rooms need work, consider planning them together, as explained in our article on renovating the kitchen and bathroom at the same time.
Planning it right
Gurri Remodel is a licensed NYC remodeling contractor that has renovated kitchens and bathrooms in co-ops, condos and townhouses since 1997. We prepare the contractor side of board packages, coordinate with your architect or designer, and build to a clear schedule. Read our kitchen and bathroom planning guides, see our process, or contact us.