Planning Co-op Apt Renovations BEFORE Closing

Hi all,

We’re in the midst of planning for some mid-scale apartment renovations on a co-op that we’re in contract on in PLG. We would have waited to start planning until we closed, but the place needs a fair amount of work done to make it livable (full bathroom reno, kitchen, floor refinishing, window replacement, some wall construction for additional closets, etc.) and we’re trying to cut down on the amount of time that we’re in limbo and paying for two apartments.

We’ve done reviewed the co-cop renovation application and have had a number of contractors, electricians, floor specialists, etc. come in and provide quotes. We think we have some sense of what it’s going to cost and how long it will take, BUT, it’s not clear from the co-op application –– 1) what constitutes a “major” renovation (and thus requires an architect), and 2) what the renovation-plan approval timeline is. Since we haven’t closed on the apartment yet, the brokers/lawyers won’t put us in touch with anyone in the co-op to get answers… so we’re sort of stuck.

Has anyone else dealt with this issu e? Any recommendations for how to move forward? Ideally, we’d like to have the co-op renovation application ready to go by the time we close (hopefully within a month – fingers crossed!) so that we can get started asap.

Thanks!

encarnacionroger

in Renovation 6 years ago

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angelique.m.west | 6 years ago

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Since it’s a sponsor unit I would ask your lawyer to draw up a letter/email with what you are proposing and send it to them with a direct request to start renovations now. You will likely need to have your lawyer draw up an agreement that indemnifies the sponsor from any risk or says you and your contractors will work at their risk. It’s not that complicated to do this. I did something similar when I needed to move into a sponsor unit before closing due to some unforeseen circumstances. The sponsor and my lawyer drew up a rental agreement and we paid the sponsor rent for the period pre-closing. Wait, you could pursue it that way!

encarnacionroger | 6 years ago

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@mat315 that’s super helpful, thank you. It’s a sponsor unit so we don’t have to go through the coop board interview process (phew!) But we can definitely get contact info for the management company and speak to them directly. Of course they’re not obligated to give us any information (as non-owners), but they might be willing to field some questions.

angelique.m.west | 6 years ago

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Btw, another thing you could do is right at the closing give them all the estimates you have received and ask whether there is an alteration application to fill out. I would give them the following: Every estimate you have received including a copy of the licenses of each contractor as that is what they will need at the minimum. I would line up insurance for your apt now and bring a copy of the policy to closing and then ask the management what they require in terms of a certificate of insurance from each contractor.

angelique.m.west | 6 years ago

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I don’t see why you can’t go directly to the management co to answer these questions or one of the board members of the building. Go to the building and ask to see the super and ask him for the contacts. One thing: You don’t say whether you’ve been approved by the co-op board but ultimately it will be the board or management who’ll decide. If you give them a scope of work they can best determine what will be needed re architect. But I don’t see any reason they would give you any of these answers until you are a bonafide shareholder and have closed.

zlapqtorekgljwxy | 6 years ago

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that sounds like a reno that would require an architect. i’m sure approval timeline is very dependent on the building.