SHEET G-100HOMEOWNER GUIDES
Homeowner guides for NYC renovations
Plain answers to the questions we hear on walkthroughs: permits, building paperwork, roofs, and how to vet any contractor, including us.
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Guides
- G-101Do I need a permit to renovate in NYC?
In New York City, cosmetic work like painting, new flooring, and replacing cabinets or fixtures in the same place generally doesn't need a Department of Buildings (DOB) permit. Work that changes structure, plumbing,…
Read the guide - G-102Condo & co-op renovations in NYC: COIs and alteration agreements
Before a contractor can work in most NYC condos and co-ops, the building requires a certificate of insurance (COI) naming the condo or co-op corporation, the board and the managing agent as additional insureds, at the…
Read the guide - G-103Flat roof vs. shingle roof: what fits a Staten Island home?
The pitch of your roof decides between flat and shingle. Asphalt shingles need a slope of at least 2:12 (and extra underlayment below 4:12), so lower-slope roofs on attached homes, extensions, garages and storefronts…
Read the guide - G-104How to vet a home improvement contractor in NYC
In New York City, contractors who do home improvement work on residential property generally must hold a Home Improvement Contractor license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), which you…
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