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Many homeowners find themselves in a tough spot when their home’s space, design, or location stops working for them. Many wind up asking themselves: should I move, or remodel?  A Zillow study found that when given a choice between spending a fixed budget on a down payment or using the same amount to remodel, 76 percent would opt to renovate.

Between leaving their neighborhoods and staying put, these homeowners ultimately made the choice to reimagine their homes with Sweeten’s help. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

A big refresh for a beloved loft

Leah and Brian loved the Logan Square loft they had been calling home for several years. The Chicago neighborhood’s energy and the industrial brick warehouse added to the lifestyle they were enjoying. But with time the wear-and-tear takes a toll on materials and daily functioning. They decided to renovate and stay in the area. The couple posted their project on Sweeten to update the entire space including a new kitchen and floors. Without structural changes, Leah and Brian brought out the best of their 14-foot ceilings.

When you can’t go bigger, get creative

Surging prices in her Fort Greene co-op building made upgrading from a studio to a true one-bedroom out of the question for Mollie. She had to decide to either move elsewhere to get more space or remodel her cozy studio. Luckily, Mollie realized the market value of her apartment (and that she could borrow against her equity)! She came to Sweeten, was matched with a general contractor, and reconfigured the 500-square-foot apartment to suit her playful style.

Baby on the way? Make your square footage go further

A two-bedroom apartment was perfect for Rachel and Marco—until they decided to expand their family. Fortunately, their duplex had enough square footage for them to get creative with! This made it possible to remodel and rethink how they used the layout, instead of moving. They turned the top floor into a combined kitchen and living area, while they divided the rest of the space into an office, closet, and bedrooms.

Give a well-loved home some TLC upgrades

After a year-long search for a new apartment, Kim and Igor decided their sons’ schools, proximity to work, and an overall adoration for their lifestyle in Carroll Gardens were reason enough to stay in their apartment. They worked with a Sweeten general contractor to overhaul their dark kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom. The result? Open and modern spaces fit for the family of four.

Combine two apartments into one home, sweet home

A desire for more room led to multiple (unsuccessful) apartment searches for Zoe and Arvid. Her dream of renovating and combining apartments finally put the hunt to an end. After contacting neighbors and finding one who was looking to move, their plan was underway. The additional square footage allowed for a third bedroom, a much larger kitchen, and an expanded living area.

Getting “upstate” light and space—with a city zip code

Courtney and Jim’s Clinton Hill Co-op apartment lacked storage and light, which sent them on a search for a second home upstate. When they made an offer on the second property, reality hit: they needed to make their main residence work for them before taking on a new place. The couple decided to remodel, opening up the kitchen the rest of the living areas and reconfiguring storage closets to suit the family of four’s storage needs.

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Not sure if you should move or remodel? Sweeten partnered with the real estate marketplace StreetEasy to uncover the true cost difference in both time and money between renovating and moving in NYC. Read more here to help you decide.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Should You Move, or Remodel? See What 6 Sweeten Renovators Did appeared first on Sweeten.

UPDATED: Read our most up-to-date New Jersey Kitchen Remodeling Costs and New Jersey Bathroom Remodeling Costs

Nine million New Jerseyans live in the Garden State. And why not? There’s the option to live close to beaches, own a farm, or live the quintessential American suburban life. There’s also a convenient commute to New York City and Pennsylvania. According to the US Census, 64 percent of the houses are owned by the inhabitants, which means there are a lot of homes available for renovation. 

Set a budget for New Jersey home renovation costs

If you’re embarking on a home renovation, your first stop will be creating a realistic budget so you can compare what you have to spend and what you might need to spend to get what you want. Each project will have a unique process and outcome with many variables that will increase or decrease costs. From your tastes in material and workmanship to changes in layout, many elements will impact your budget. 

Luckily, Sweeten has done some of the homework for you when it comes to home renovation costs for New Jersey. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—at no cost to the homeowner.

Here’s a breakdown of typical starting home renovation costs in New Jersey, compiled from Sweeten renovations and Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report. Renovators in denser areas closer to New York City will likely see slightly higher budgets. 

• Full home renovation: $100 per square foot (psf) and up
  
• Low-end kitchen remodel: $20,000 to $25,000
  
• Mid-range kitchen remodel: starting at $30,000
  
• High-end kitchen remodel: starting at $60,000
  
• Low-end bathroom remodel: $15,000 to $20,000
  
• Mid-range bathroom remodel: $685 psf or $24,000
  
• High-end bathroom remodel and expansion: starting at $40,000
  
• Basement remodel: starting at $20,000
  

But remember this: While it is great to have an idea of your end cost, a contractor will want a detailed conversation and inspection of your home before delivering a more specific estimate.

New Jersey home remodeling costs per square foot

New Jersey is a big state. In the northeastern part of the state, real estate prices are slightly lower than neighboring New York City. Western NJ has more affordable rural properties that give New Jersey the nickname “Garden State” for its extensive agricultural industry. The same cost variations can occur when it comes to renovating your New Jersey home.

Most Sweeten projects generally start at $100 per square foot (psf) in New Jersey. Sweeten contractor Norm, who is based in Northern New Jersey, has seen gut renovations start at $200 psf and go up from there. This cost range also includes everything from architectural design and drawings to fixtures, demolition, expediting, construction—the whole project.

Easier logistics in New Jersey

There are fewer obstacles to a New Jersey renovation than, say, a place like New York City, according to Norm. For example, New Jersey renovations don’t normally have parking and access issues or limited hours a co-op will allow for daily construction. This can mean more efficient use of time, less hassle, and a smaller budget for clients in New Jersey.

House renovations can be lighter on the wallet, too. Houses typically have the upside of direct access, while apartments do not. In apartments, contractors must take extra care (and time) to keep communal hallways and lobbies clean and clear. “All those things make a home renovation much less labor-intensive than an apartment,” said Norm.

How much a New Jersey kitchen remodel costs per square foot

Lower-end budgets

• Low-end kitchen: Sweeten kitchen remodels can start at $20,000 to $25,000 for under 100 square feet with budget-friendly finishes from retailers such as Home Depot.
  

One New Jersey-based Sweeten contractor had completed a kitchen in Monmouth County’s Fair Haven for under $25,000 at $100 psf. For flooring, he used a prefinished engineered floor lumber core with a real wood veneer on the top layer. This cost $2,500. The cabinets were purchased ready to install and a stone counter was paired with a stainless steel undermount sink, which was quite cost-effective. A good budget number per square foot of floor space would be $100 to $150 psf for economical kitchens.

Joshua, a Sweeten contractor who does a lot of renovations in Monmouth and Ocean counties, recently redid a 160-square-foot kitchen for under $20,000. To stick within this economical budget, he used vinyl plank flooring, a basic subway tile backsplash, and premade cabinets that come in standard measurement options like 12, 15, and 21 inches. “You can make it pretty close with those measurements, but with custom, you can make it fit exactly to what the space is,” Joshua said.

Another New Jersey-based Sweeten contractor agreed that a kitchen renovation can start at under $20,000 for something basic (premade stock cabinets, basic appliances, etc.) and small (10’ x 10’ square feet).

Mid to high-end budgets

• Mid-range kitchen: Sweeten has seen mid-range kitchens start at $30,000. Joshua puts a mid-range kitchen in a range up to $40,000. Instead of hitting up big-box stores like Home Depot, as you would for a lower-end kitchen, this price bracket allows you to shop in specialty stores for items like tiles or cabinets, Joshua said. Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report puts a typical mid-range kitchen renovation at $375 psf or $75,000 total as an average for Trenton, New Jersey’s capital.
  
• High-end kitchen: Sweeten’s typical remodel starts at $60,000. The average cost for this level in Trenton, New Jersey, is $145,000 or $725 psf, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report. The largest kitchen project Norm completed in New Jersey was more than $150,000. Pumping up the price were items such as a kitchen island with double-thick quartz and a waterfall edge, a Wolf range, reclaimed wood beams added to the ceiling, a wine fridge, and a very large square footage.

How much a New Jersey bathroom remodel costs per square foot

• Low-end bathroom: Sweeten bathrooms can start at $15,000 to $20,000 for a 5’ x 8’ space with budget-friendly finishes.
  

Bathroom renovations can cost less if the majority of materials come from big-box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot for porcelain tiles, a molded sink, and a fiberglass shower. “The crux of the job is always similar in terms of what you have—a toilet, a shower, tiles, vanities—then you expand your budget with what finishes you use,” Joshua said.

• Mid-range bathroom: A mid-range bathroom that covers about 35 square feet in New Jersey will cost on average $24,000, according to the Cost vs. Value report. This comes out at $685 psf and can include a recessed medicine cabinet, a standard toilet, solid-surface vanity counter, and a porcelain tub. Typically, the smaller the space, the higher the square foot cost.
  
• High-end bathroom: Sweeten has seen high-end bathrooms start at $40,000. That same Cost Vs. Value report puts a high-end bathroom renovation at $75,000, based on a bathroom expanded from 35 square feet to 100 square feet (or $750 psf).
  

The budget of a recent bathroom that Norm worked on came to that $75,000 average. “It had it all—an oversized, walk-in steam shower with body sprays and frameless glass,” he said. Additionally, it had custom carpentry and a freestanding tub, “which are very expensive,” Norm added. Then, there is the less exciting but very important work of replacing the plumbing lines. 

Costs for a basement renovation in New Jersey

For a basement remodel in the New Jersey area, expect the starting cost to begin at $20,000. The Cost vs. Value report puts an average basement conversion in New Jersey at $117 psf. The example project cost $75,000 and was 20’ x 30’ with a 5’ x 8’ bathroom, shower, a bar area, insulation, and laminate flooring.

But there’s a lot to take into account that will impact the budget. Sometimes the floor needs to be dug deeper to raise the ceiling height. The walls could require underpinning. Electricity and plumbing might need to be installed if there is no existing bathroom. Installation and waterproofing can be significantly costly if it is needed, as well as pumps to drain out water. Some clients just want new drywall, new doors, a new closet, and fresh paint, which could put a project near $20,000.

A premium basement could cost between $100,000 and $150,000, according to Sweeten contractor Norm. Clients tend to get creative with basements, from custom bar areas to cinema-style entertainment rooms. “I’ve done a lot that are geared towards homeschooling with learning nooks built underneath stairs,” he said. “Or there’s been funky, retro-style laundries with dropdown racks that fall out of the walls.” 

Costs for permits in New Jersey

Fortunately, there’s a lot of good news for New Jersey renovators when it comes to permits! A few years ago, the state eliminated the need for projects to get a permit for minor work. For example, a bathroom renovation in which fixtures are being directly replaced (often referred to as “rip-and-replace”). 

“Doing direct replacement — replacing the toilet or oven, old for new — will keep your costs down,” said Norm. This means plumbing and gas lines can stay as is, which can be a huge expense saver. However, for trickier renovations requiring permits, some Sweeten contractors suggest budgeting 10-15 percent of the entire project’s cost for permits.

In New Jersey, permits are often handled by each town and will likely be tied to the budget you submit.

• In the township of Teaneck in Bergen County, the first $50,000 in your renovation or repair budget will cost $30 per $1,000 for permits (so permits for that $20,000 kitchen you’re planning will be about $600). The next $50,000 in a budget will cost $24 per $1,000 of planned work and any amount over $100,000 will cost $22 per $1,000 of planned work.
  
• In Morris Township, a permit will cost $33—$44 per $1,000 for the first $50,000 of the renovation budget and $27—$33 per $1,000 for the next $50,000 and $20—$28 per $1,000 for a project over $100,000.
  
• For Toms River in Ocean County, the fee will be $39 per $50,000 of the estimated cost of work, add $25 for projects budgeted from $50,001—$100,000 and add $19 for projects costing over $100,000.
  

With this information, you can create an accurate budget for your home renovation costs. When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors in New Jersey.

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Preparing your home for resale? Read up on the best remodeling projects to invest in to appeal to buyers.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration, and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

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The post 2020 Cost Guide for a Home Renovation in New Jersey appeared first on Sweeten.

Laura and Randy almost walked away from the Upper East Side co-op that they would live in with their daughter, Morgan, but a second look changed their minds. Everything had felt cramped—the kitchen, the hallways, even the unit’s five closets—but in a fit of inspiration, they discovered that the apartment had potential. They turned to Sweeten, posted their project, and found a general contractor they felt was the right fit for them.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Come see how they opened their kitchen to include a built-in desk niche, created seven closets, and enlarged a foyer with a wallpaper-covered ceiling.

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowner Laura

We had been living in a Junior 4 (bedroom, kitchen, living room, convertible dining area) that we rented since our daughter was born. We thought we’d live in the apartment for a few years but ended up staying for 10 years. By that point, we had completely outgrown the space, including the dining room converted into a bedroom for our daughter and a dated and closed-off kitchen. It lacked a second full bathroom and closet space, too. Ultimately, we needed a space that felt like ours.

When we started our search in January 2017, we looked at a number of apartments. Among our list of must-haves: quiet, two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen that could be opened up, closet space, a nice building, and great natural light. When we first saw our apartment in May, we only had 15 minutes to go through it, and while I thought it could work better than any we’d seen before (thanks to the amazing natural light and rare east/west exposure), there were some things we’d need to change. My husband felt it wasn’t going to fit our needs. Even though it was a 1,250-square-foot apartment, he thought the kitchen was too tight, that there weren’t enough closets (only five and most of them on the smaller size), and there was a lack of hallways. He just had an overall sense that the space felt too small.

I could understand his point. The previous owner lived in the space by herself and had made the second bedroom a closet. The master bath only had a bathtub, the kitchen was narrow (we wondered if the dishwasher could pull all the way down), and the dining room had large pieces of furniture and built-ins extending from the dining to living room, that made the space feel smaller.

I started to look at other co-op apartments in the building with the same floor plan for inspiration and found one that had just undergone a renovation. Based on its layout, I was able to visualize how we could reconfigure the space to add longer hallways, more closets, and a larger kitchen that utilized more of the space. After showing my husband, and revisiting the space a day later, he agreed and we put in an offer. Another family also put in an offer the same day, but ours ended up getting accepted.

Ahead of our August close, we started to interview contractors to scope out the work based on our budget. We interviewed two contractors from friend and family recommendations and another that my husband found through his online search that led him to Sweeten.

We were matched with a Sweeten contractor who quickly reached out to us. After an on-site meeting with him, we knew this general contractor was the right match for our project. We immediately felt excited about his enthusiasm and ideas and worked together to design a floor plan that made sense to us.

Then we went through the long, dreaded wait for permits and the board approval process. It took us through the month of December to get approved so we could proceed with our renovation. During this time, however, we were able to review countless inspiration photos and decide what and how we wanted the space to look and feel.

By far, the most complex and difficult decision throughout the project was how to design and create the ideal kitchen. We had two columns that were structural, a steel beam that couldn’t come down, and an electric panel that could prevent us from building out the kitchen entry wall. We wanted to somehow open the kitchen and add an island, but it just didn’t seem feasible. So in our initial plan, we would extend the kitchen but keep it enclosed, and then relocate the electric box outside the kitchen so we could add storage and counter space on that entry wall.

She had her heart set on a window bench where she could sit and read. We were able to add these and create storage opportunities underneath.

On the day before the demo, we decided to forgo a separate dining room space, extend the kitchen, and add an island and bar stools. We would leverage the living space for both the living and dining rooms and the island would be a focal point tying both rooms together. This would allow an open concept space for meals and entertaining.

We were also able to add a wine cooler and a designated desk space for the days we work from home and for our daughter to do her homework. We created 40+ cabinets for storage, including a sponge pull-down drawer, two pantry closets, spice racks, and tons of drawers, including for knives and one to fit large silverware. This is probably our favorite room.

We knew we wanted to extend the entryway as it was incredibly narrow with two closets on either side of the front door. We decided to keep the larger walk-in and remove the smaller one and create a place that was pretty but also functional.

Since we were removing an entry closet that meant we only had four closets; we needed to solve for this. In the master bedroom, we extended our room into the hallway to enlarge the one small closet that was there and then by closing another space (and relocating the master bath door) build a second walk-in closet. A hallway closet that paralleled another closet was extended both of which would hold linens and utility items.

In our daughter’s room, we changed a closet door to open from inside the room instead of the hallway giving her one closet. Then by adding a new double door closet, we were able to give her two additional closets and eliminate the need for a dresser. She also had her heart set on a window bench where she could sit and read. We were able to add these and create storage opportunities underneath.  We now had seven decent-sized closets in the home which suited our storage needs much better.

The bathroom is small but we were able to convert the bathtub into a walk-in shower with three different shower heads and update all the tile. A large medicine cabinet and a vanity with four drawers that fit around the pipes provided more storage. As a splurge, we added a towel warmer.

The demo started just after the new year and lasted through mid-April. During the project, we tried to be quick and diligent about making decisions, allowing us to complete the renovation close to on schedule. Working with our Sweeten contractor was great and we were able to add some fun design elements that kept with the style including wallpaper in three places and a mirrored barn door for a master closet door.

Since we’ve moved in, we worked with a decorator on the finishing touches including rugs, lighting, and artwork and have made our new space really feel like home. We’ve now settled in and couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

Thank you, Laura, Morgan, and Randy, for sharing your family home with us! 

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Engineered wood floors: PID Floors. Interior decorating: Get Decorated.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Shaker-style cabinets: Custom from general contractor. Cabinet hardware: Amazon. Quartz countertops and backsplash: Compac. Sink: Kraus. Faucet: Grohe. Refrigerator, dishwasher, wine cooler, and stove: Appliances Connection. Regina Andrew Design pendant lighting: Neiman Marcus. WAC Track lighting by WAC Lighting: Build.com. Paint in White Heron, #OC 57: Benjamin Moore. Bar stools: CB2. Desk niche wallpaper: Seabrook. 

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Carrara marble floor and wall tile: Tiles by Kia, Long Island City, NY. Shower fixtures, toilet, and vanity: Appliances Connection. Sink: Appliances Connection. Medicine cabinet: Appliances Connection. Paint in Paper White, #OC-55: Benjamin Moore. 

MASTER BEDROOM RESOURCES: Regina Andrew Design sconce lighting: Neiman Marcus. Chandelier: West Elm. Wallpaper in Bermuda Hemp in Elephant #5260: Phillip Jeffries. 

DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM RESOURCES: Sconces: Rejuvenation. Ceiling light fixture: West Elm. Paint in Mint Spritzer, #7005-11: Valspar.

FOYER RESOURCES: Wallpaper by ThinkNoirWallpaper: Etsy. Light fixture: West Elm.

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A renovation on Central Park West started as an emergency but ended with a happy result.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post A Diamond in the Rough Radiates appeared first on Sweeten.

We identified the patterns we expect to see in kitchen renovation and design in 2019. On the list? None other than two-tone kitchen cabinets. They bring visual interest to the kitchen, plus allow for more color exploration without feeling overpowering. We’ve seen the look in so many Sweeten renovations (including these seven spaces) that we decided to shine a spotlight on it. See how these homeowners put their personal spin on the trend.

1. Contemporary meets classic

The best way to describe this kitchen: contemporary meets classic. The bi-tonal paint (white upper cabinets and gray lower) adds to the modern, yet, traditional feel already established by the mix of open shelves and closed cabinets.

2. Modern and clean

Megan and Zak’s kitchen renovation was part of a much larger project: combining two apartments with very different styles. The reimagined kitchen represents their combined vision of a modern, clean space. The navy and white cabinets and floating shelves add clean lines and an airy feel.

3. Mixing tones for a pop of color

Be teal our hearts! Carol and Jon took the two-tone idea up a notch with a fun teal hue. The warm, bright color adds character and also accentuates other features in the kitchen, like the gold pendant lights and wood floors.

4. Gold and green to add contrast in cabinets

Maggie and Ross’ renovation was all about reaching a compromise on their different design aesthetics. These light green cabinets (with white uppers) are just one example of how the couple merged their tastes.

5.  Jewel-tones

Blue and white cabinets are one of the most common color combinations we see (not surprising considering its versatility). Nikki and Chris opted for a bright jewel-tone blue in their sweet cook space. They wanted a color that stands out without being overpowering.

6. Wood accents to ground lower cabinets

Wood cabinets are experiencing a comeback. Pair them with a solid paint finish on the top cabinets, like Sunghee and Joseph, and you have a trend goldmine.

7. Two-tone cabinet neutrals

Here’s proof you can stick to neutrals and still pull off two-tone. Nilda and Brian went with a dark gray base of cabinets to elevate their cook space. Plus, it also ties-in with their stainless steel appliances and cabinet hardware.

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Looking for kitchen color inspiration? Check out these blue beauties.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post 7 Real Renos Featuring Two-Tone Cabinets appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Modernize the feel and maximize storage in a small bath

Before: Rita and Mark lived in their 500-square-foot apartment in the Clinton Hill Co-ops for four years before they decided to take on a renovation. Their bathroom, with a pine toilet seat and coordinating medicine cabinet, didn’t offer enough storage or fit in with the couple’s aesthetic. They wanted items like towels and toiletries to be contained to the room, without creating clutter. While this wasn’t their first remodel (the couple renovated their kitchen and bath in New Jersey) they knew circumstances would be different given the requirements and peculiarities of renovating in an NYC co-op building. They posted their project on Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor, ready to take on a cosmetic overhaul.

After: Inspired by other sleek, classic white bathrooms on the site’s blog, Sweeten Stories, the couple decided on a neutral whiteout look, carried out through the subway-tiled shower-bath wall and the hexagonal floor. The layout stayed the same, also known as a “rip-and-replace,” and they focused on cosmetic changes. They decided to stick with white to make the bathroom appear larger, plus the neutral palette allowed Rita to change out accessories and colors at any point. “My first color palette came from the painting The Bath Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida which a friend gave me years ago in Madrid. I love the mix of blues and it reminds me of the wonderful times we’ve spent with our sons and their friends at the beach,” she said.

The couple swapped out the old tub for a cast iron tub because of the material’s durability, and resistance to chipping and scratching. Since they found storage solutions through a niche in the shower and wall shelves, there was no need for a full vanity. Plus, the open sink makes the bathroom feel even more open. They wanted every material used to be easy to clean and made of glass or chrome. Wood was a big “no” because of the humidity, as the bathroom only had a vent and no fan.

Their Sweeten contractor worked with the co-op board, employees, and other residents to get certain tasks done. His experience with that part of the process was crucial. When they realized they needed access to the apartment below to repair plumbing connected to the bathtub, he took the initiative to talk to the owners. “His answer was always ‘no problem,’” Rita shared. “He was a dream to work with, he’s a doer and tackles problems right away.” He also convinced the co-op board to replace all the risers while the walls were open. The building plumbing is over 75 years old so this repair was especially important.

Rita offers her advice for future renovators: “Talk to as many people and vendors that you have time for. It is the best way to get a feel for what you really want to do with the space,” she said.

Bonus: Rita had initially imagined installing a medicine cabinet along the whole width of the wall above the sink. Instead, she chose open glass shelves that could fit various organizational items like baskets and containers.

Style finds: Ontario series hexagon matte floor tile and Chess series wall tile: Olympia Tile. Shower fixtures: Riobel Vero sink and vanity: Appliances Connection. Cimarron collection toilet: Appliances Connection. Industrial Revolution collection lighting: Feiss. Artemis collection medicine cabinet: Sofia Medicine Cabinets.

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Saira and her husband renovated their half and full bathroom in the East Village. 

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Clean and Crisp Bathroom Transformation appeared first on Sweeten.

The search for a home to fit Melissa and Russ’ growing family was becoming imperative. They loved their Park Slope neighborhood and sunny apartment but had already rearranged their space to fit their first child and then a second. When they found their new two-bedroom co-op in a historic brownstone, it had a great layout but needed updating. The couple looked on Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and discovered a renovation they loved on the site’s blog. They hired the designers of that project, Casey and Kumar of Studio Miller Atre and posted their project. Coincidently, it was the designers’ own Sweeten home renovation. Melissa and Russ even hired the same Sweeten contractor!

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowners Melissa and Russ

Four years ago, when our son was only a few months old, we got serious about looking for a two-bedroom apartment. We had gotten married and moved in together only a year before, so when our son arrived, we knew we needed more space. We focused our search mainly on Park Slope and nearby areas because we loved the neighborhood, but as the months wore on, we realized how scarce nice two-bedrooms with a practical layout in our neighborhood really were.

Large multi-dwelling buildings had good layouts, but there were very few on the market. Most of the brownstone apartments had living rooms smaller and darker than ours, which was sunny and overlooked treetops and a church belfry across the street.

A year later, our daughter was born, and our quest for the perfect two-bedroom became more urgent. Still, it was hard to find something we liked. In the meantime, we had configured our apartment bedroom to accommodate one child, then reconfigured it to accommodate two, and while we were happy in our space, we were excited to find something more reasonable for the four of us.

(Above) Floor plan did not change

When we finally found our current apartment, three full years later, we were thrilled. Situated on the third floor of a 19th-century brownstone in the Park Slope Historic District, the apartment had a great layout but was a bit run-down. The first thing we noticed was the living room, which spanned the full width of the building and had three windows overlooking a tree-filled courtyard in back. Even in March, when the branches were bare, we could sense how peaceful it was. The bedrooms faced the tree-lined street in front.

The unit hadn’t been updated since the building was converted to a co-op in the 1980s. We were eager to design it from scratch to make the apartment look simple and elegant. We intended to give the master bedroom to the kids and convert it into a giant playroom and keep the second bedroom for our own bed and home office. The exposed brick walls in the living room and bedroom were cold and dark, so we planned to cover them with sheetrock and paint the walls white. We also knew a custom kitchen would be our best bet.

My husband discovered Casey and Kumar’s featured renovated apartment on Sweeten’s blog, and we knew immediately that we wanted to hire their general contractor. As interior designers, they did a beautiful job on their own kitchen, so we chose to hire them and the Sweeten contractors they used.

Because it was an open kitchen/dining/living area, we wanted to design the space in a way that wouldn’t make us feel like we were always in the kitchen. Casey and Kumar immediately understood what we were looking for and proposed a few designs that would make the kitchen space feel separate, which included building a partial wall that would eventually align with the built-in bookshelf we needed to accommodate our books. After our discussions, Kumar sent us a drawing of the proposed kitchen and bookshelf and our Sweeten contractor did an amazing job executing his vision.

We decided to keep the layout as it was and carve out more storage space, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets in white lacquer hiding the washer/dryer and refrigerator. In the narrow space between these two appliances, our contractor built a custom pull-out pantry.

On the perpendicular wall sat an exposed workspace with sink, dishwasher, and stove and ash wood veneer cabinets. We got rid of the old island, and Casey and Kumar designed an elegant new one with plenty of storage space.

For our countertop and backsplash, we chose soapstone, and are very happy with the result. To maintain an uncluttered countertop we had a drain board carved directly into the soapstone. My husband picked out the hardware with Casey. The kitchen is a dream.

The fireplaces in the dining room and master bedroom, which weren’t working, had been covered with wooden mantels that looked heavy and dated. We donated them to Big Reuse. We didn’t want to cover them up entirely because we wanted to retain the sense of a hearth.

…we planned white subway tile and black porcelain tiles [for the bathroom] but it evolved into something more ornate under Casey’s direction.

When Kumar proposed adding mirrors matching the height of the windows on either side of what had been the fireplace, along with cabinets below, we really felt our space was coming together. The mirrors added depth and dimension, along with light being reflected. For years, we had lived in a corner apartment with plenty of windows and the addition of mirrors in our new apartment really opened the space up.

(Above) Kumar’s sketch

Our Sweeten contractor built a frame for the living room bookshelf with a lacquer panel to match the framing of the kitchen. Russ completed the bookshelf using a shelf system and wood boards. We kept the old hardwood floors but refinished them with Bona satin finish.

The bathroom, which we had planned to update with white subway tile on the walls and black porcelain tiles on the floor, evolved into something more ornate under Casey’s direction. We chose a gray travertine stone to line the wall with the tub, sink, and fixtures, and narrow white tiles in the bathtub area, which Casey arranged in alternating vertical and horizontal patterns.

Aside from one overhead light in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, the entire apartment was devoid of light fixtures. We added a pendant lamp above the dining room table and a globe lamp over the kitchen island, along with recessed lights in the living room, hallway, and bedrooms. The lights under the kitchen cabinets are especially practical and elegant. Our contractor finished the underside of the cabinets with the same ash veneer as the fronts.

All in all, we are tremendously happy with our space. Casey and Kumar’s vision, combined with our Sweeten general contractor’s excellent craftsmanship, resulted in a space that feels modern and civilized. The toys are contained in the children’s space, and when we manage to put everything away, our living and dining area can be free of clutter.

Our apartment is perfect. It’s functional and beautiful, and we love it more every day.

Thank you, Melissa and Russ, for sharing your new family home with us!

DESIGN NOTES FROM STUDIO MILLER ATRE:

LIVING SPACE RESOURCES: Paint in Simply White: Benjamin Moore. Wood floors refinished in Bona Traffic in satin finish: Bona. Recessed Lighting, Cooper Halo 4″ LED Adjustable Gimbal lights and 4″ LED downlights with compatible Cooper dimmers (DLC03P): Polar-Ray. Baldwin Estate knobs in polished chrome door and closet hardware: Simon’s.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Countertop and backsplash: Garden State Soapstone. Cabinets and island: Custom by general contractor. Riverwood knobs and Edgecliff pulls cabinet hardware: Schoolhouse. Bosch stove, Miele dishwasher, and washer/dryer: Appliances Connection. Sub-Zero refrigerator: P.C. Richard & Son. Sink: Kraus. Concetto faucet: Grohe. Talis S beverage faucet: Hansgrohe. Puck LED under-cabinet lights: Pure Edge Lighting. Jasper Morrison Glo-Ball S island pendant lamp: FLOS. Riviera island stools: Serena & Lily.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Highbridge tub, Verdera lighted medicine cabinet, Purist Series shower fixtures, hand shower from Awaken Series, Stillness towel bar: Appliances Connection. Carlyle II toilet: Appliances Connection. T12 toilet paper holder: Vola. Vero Air sink: Appliances Connection. Essence sink faucet: Grohe. Vanity: Custom by general contractors. Dioscuri ceiling light fixture: Artemide. Kanso 4″ x 24″ wall tile in Winter White gloss: Ann Sacks. Honed 12″ x 24″ Stormy Gray travertine wall tile: Stone Source. Black matte Alta 12″ x 24″ porcelain floor tile: Nemo Tile. Chrome shower curtain rod: Signature Hardware.

DINING ROOM RESOURCES: Ceiling pendant: Gubi. Sconces: Chios wall sconce 214 in satin white: A19.

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Elfa bookshelf system: The Container Store.

CHILDREN’S BEDROOM: Paint in Hancock Green: Benjamin Moore. PS 2014 ceiling pendant: Ikea.

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A homeowner revamped her kitchen and living area in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Good Design Elevates a Sunny Co-op appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Seeking Calm, One Hexagon Tile at a Time appeared first on Sweeten.

One thing’s for sure: Blue kitchens and cabinets are no longer just a trend—they’re a new classic. Thanks to the endless shade options, the color can work for every renovator’s cook space, no matter their style. Ahead, check out these eight spaces, renovated by Sweeten general contractors, that prove blue is here to stay.

A splash of blue patterned wallpaper for a Brooklyn kitchen

A run-of-the-mill kitchen was not in the books for Mollie. She wanted a kitchen with lots of personality, bold color, and print—and that’s exactly what she got. Whimsical wallpaper with pops of orange and a blue backdrop plays off the azure lower cabinets and picks up the warmth of the gold hardware.

A new layout (and new hue) revitalize a cramped kitchen 

Subtle gray-blue cabinets are right on par with the traditional-meets-modern style of Nydia and Jonathan’s kitchen. They paired the cabinets with a mix of metals, from the brushed gold bar stools to the stainless appliances, giving the otherwise classic cook space a contemporary edge.

Blue and glass to provide contrast

Blue is Tracey’s favorite color, so she and her husband Brian decided on blue kitchen cabinets in their Westchester home. After looking at fan decks to find the perfect shade, they expected they’d have to go custom. Luckily, the cabinets they chose were available in a stock color close to the swatch, so they saved on time and money.

Blue cabinet bottoms make a bright base

Laura and Walter’s home is full of original details, especially in the kitchen area. They opted for blue cabinets that demand attention, while still letting the architectural elements shine. Another trick to pulling off a bold shade of blue like theirs? Sticking to mostly lower cabinets and leaving the white walls exposed so the color isn’t overpowering.

Cool blue-gray hit the mark in a blue Brooklyn kitchen

When it finally came time to renovate her kitchen and living area (after five years of dreaming and planning), Lauren had to have one notable detail. “I’ve always loved blue cabinets and knew that I wanted to do darker kitchen cabinets with a lighter floor and a white countertop,” she said. She chose an understated gray-blue shade for the custom cabinets that complemented the rest of the home’s decor.

A blue kitchen inspired by a childhood home in Italy

There’s no shortage of color in Giulia’s apartment. “I love the contrast of the blue and white oak. I had the same colors in my bedroom in Rome when I was a kid and I think it just reminded me of home,” she said. To let the cabinets take center stage, she left the rest of the space in neutral and natural colors.

A pastel-like touch of blue in Clinton Hill

A baby blue kitchen? Yes, please! Courtney and Jim chose an almost-pastel shade of blue for their lower cabinets. It pops against the patterned floor and white upper cabinets, without overwhelming the tight space. Note to renovators: if your kitchen is smaller, opt for lighter cabinets to make it feel less enclosed.

Shaker-style navy blue cabinets feel cool yet classic

“From the first time we saw the space, I envisioned a transitional-style kitchen with navy blue cabinets,” Tina shared about her apartment. The architect chose classic shaker-style cabinets in Newburyport Blue, pairing them with white countertops and a subway tile backsplash.

Feeling inspired by these blue kitchens? Post your renovation project to get matched with a Sweeten contractor! 

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Tips and ideas for renovating a kitchen for entertaining.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Eight Kitchens That Prove Blue Is the New White appeared first on Sweeten.

After nearly a decade of bouncing from one New York apartment to another, Katie, Marcus, and their pup, Squib, were ready to put down roots. They purchased a 750-square-foot Park Slope co-op knowing they would renovate right away and before moving in. They closed in April and had a move-in date of May 31; any renovation had to go quickly. But they were optimistic because the apartment was in great shape, and other than replacing the floors and updating the bathroom, there wasn’t anything major that needed doing–or so they thought. Floors, it turns out, can be a tricky challenge. They posted their project on Sweeten to find a vetted general contractor. Between their Sweeten contractor and Client Service’s help, Katie, Marcus, and Squib can now stand on stable ground.

Guest post by Sweeten homeowner Katie 

Before we did our final walk-through, we had only visited our apartment once at the open house. In our home search, we had developed a pretty thorough checklist of what to look for at every apartment we visited: “Were bathrooms properly ventilated?” “Did windows need replacing?” “Were the floors even?” In this apartment, which was probably built in the 1920s, the wood floors were uneven and noisy. We knew we’d have to replace them, and it would be easier to do so before moving in. Since we were going to be redoing the floors, we figured we might as well redo the bathroom as it’s hard to live without one in a one-bath apartment! It wasn’t in bad shape, it was just a bit out of date and not our style.

(Above) No changes made to the current floor plan.

Settling on an overall style was a bit of a challenge as Marcus likes deep, rich colors and lots of décor, and I tend to like bright, clean spaces with straight lines and pops of color or contrast. Right off the bat, we had to figure out our combined vision for the space so we wouldn’t argue over every little thing.

Other than that, our first big challenge came when the contractor began to rip up the floorboards. There was no subfloor. There was nothing but air between our old floorboards and the ceiling of the apartment below. No wonder it had been so noisy!

Since the building was old, there was the added challenge of trying to re-level an apartment where everything had been built or altered for a dramatically uneven floor. We weren’t able to get it completely level. There’s even a section of brick wall underneath part of our bedroom floor. From what? We’ll never really know. The floor is still noticeably uneven in parts, and we’ve had to get levelers for most of our furniture, but it’s much better than when we started.

We wanted a wood floor that would bring some warmth to our home and be durable for years of Squib running back and forth over it. We selected red oak because I love how it warms up the space, and plays off the exposed brick of the fireplace. Our contractor was helpful in guiding us to a good stain and style of baseboards. (There weren’t any baseboards originally, but we liked having something to transition from the wall to the floor.) We also did do a bit of soundproofing under the floors.

In the kitchen, we replaced the water-damaged wood floor with slate tile which we felt would be more durable. It’s not a large space, and we’ll probably update our kitchen at some point, so we kept the tile neutral.

The bathroom was our main project focus. We wanted something simple and crisp. It’s not a huge bathroom and we didn’t want to overwhelm the space. We chose a classic white subway tile for the walls and slate tile for the floor. While I love the look of a honeycomb floor tile, it’s too hard to keep clean and grime-free. To break up the subway tile, we added a little black edging under the chair rail. Thankfully our contractor had done something similar on a previous job so we were able to see an example of it before committing!

We also wanted to maximize storage in the bathroom. We kept a wall cabinet in its place and repainted it. Our contractor built a little nook in the shower, which we hadn’t even thought of, but ended up loving! The storage under the sink wasn’t useful because of the pipes. We compensated by including a large medicine cabinet.

One thing we didn’t anticipate was how hard it would be to find a sink without faucet holes. Since our faucet comes out of the wall, almost every sink without pre-made faucet holes had to be specially made. As a result, our sink didn’t arrive until after we moved in, and we had to settle for a vanity with drawers that weren’t compatible with our plumbing.

We are in the process of having a friend modify it so we can actually utilize that space. Here’s a tip: vanities are unbelievably expensive and you can really only use the Ikea vanities with Ikea sinks, or it will take a lot of modification to make it work. Listen to your husband when he tells you that.

But live and learn. This was our first ever renovation. In the span of seven weeks, we closed on our apartment, renovated, moved, and started working 14-hour days. We also got married in the middle of all this! It was so hard to source things in a timely manner and, instead of having fun looking at lighting or tile or paint colors, we just wanted everything done so we could stop making choices.

The high-speed ride led to fun miscommunications like me accidentally telling the painters to paint both bedrooms deep teal because I actually forgot that we had two bedrooms and told them to “paint the bedroom teal.” Looks like we have a painting project ahead of us.

Our contractor was somehow able to complete the majority of the work in our accelerated time frame even after laying a new subfloor for the whole apartment. He was very communicative and offered great tips and guidance on what would look better or last longer in the space. He was clear about what was happening at every step of the process.

The people at the Sweeten office, too, checked in with us throughout the process to ensure that everything was going smoothly. The Sweeten blog was helpful for finding design inspiration and sources when the full scope of products available on the internet proved overwhelming. The Sweeten cost guides helped us create a budget.

We realized afterward that it would be great to have two budgets, an “on paper this is what we want to spend” budget and a “we cannot afford to go over this number” budget. That way you can assess what will be worth the money and what you can scale back on if something comes up. Start sourcing things early, if possible. It’s better to get the thing you want early and move it around your living room for a few weeks then to not get what you want because it won’t arrive in time.

We were excited to finally have our own space to make our own! I grew up on the campus of a boarding school so I had never been able to paint my walls before, let alone really personalize a space. We love our apartment so much and are so happy with everything. The bathroom turned out perfectly and the floors are much more beautiful and practical than the original ones we started with.

Like every homeowner, we have many more projects that we will eventually want to do, but I’m happy we started with just the flooring and the bathroom so we didn’t bite off more than we could handle with our first apartment purchase.

Thank you, Katie, Marcus, and Squib, for sharing your home, sweet, home with us!

LIVING ROOM RESOURCES: Wood flooring: sourced by general contractor. Paint in Chantilly Lace, #OC-65: Benjamin Moore.

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile. White subway wall tile: Provided by contractor. Hardware: Original fixtures. Shower fixtures: Appliances Connection. Sink: Nameeks. Vanity: Ikea. Medicine cabinet, toilet: Lowe’s. Lighting: Schoolhouse.  Paint in Winter Solstice, #1605: Benjamin Moore.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile.

BEDROOM RESOURCES: Paint in Sky Space, #5001-6B: Valspar.

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Another first-time renovator remodels her co-op in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Couple Gets Floored in Park Slope appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Upgrade a full bath and powder room

Before: Saira and her husband purchased their East Village duplex with the intention to renovate before moving in. “The two most urgent spaces were the bathrooms,” she said. “They were just very old.” Their style is very clean, minimal, and modern—everything the existing spaces were not. With two young kids, the couple was also worried about having only one full bathroom, which made it even more important to have the spaces updated with new fixtures and better storage options. Equipped with Saira’s Pinterest board for inspiration, they posted their project to Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

(Above) The powder room

(Above) The full bathroom

After: With a clear vision in mind, Saira worked with her Sweeten general contractor to bring it to life. The bathrooms share a black-and-white palette and many of the same materials, like the floating wood shelves and industrial light fixtures (which match others throughout the apartment). “I love the contrast of the white tiles with the matte black hardware,” Saira said. They opted for a pedestal sink in the powder room to save on space.

Keeping the design really simple visually and functionally was very important—especially for their children’s safety and their own sanity. The floating vanity in the full bathroom is easier to clean and has just enough room under it for the kids’ step stools, too. “We were very mindful of certain things, like making sure the tile was easy to clean and not too slippery,” Saira said. Their contractor helped pull materials using Saira’s Pinterest board and the couple’s budget as guidelines.

For the most part, Saira communicated with the contracting team via email, receiving pictures of the progress throughout the process. “Our general contractor was always willing to meet at times that were convenient to us,” she said. Fortunately, the project stayed on schedule so the family didn’t have to renew their lease and stay in their rental.

Saira’s parents actually own a real estate business in Toronto, so while she does have remodeling experience, this was her first time doing so in New York City. “Everyone always says renovating is a nightmare, but if you find the right general contractor and you have a good relationship, it can be pretty fun,” she shared.

Bonus: The family also had the entire apartment repainted, the floors refinished, and a new closet built by their Sweeten general contractor.

Style finds:

FULL BATHROOM: Floating wood shelves: Etsy. Varaluz Socket-to-Me lighting: Home Depot. Faucet #559LF-BLLOU,  hand shower set #58472-BL, towel bar #75925-BL, robe hook #756350-BL: Delta Faucet. Toilet #7299840/7299836, and bathtub #7234470: Appliances Connection. Valencia Vanity/sink FCB8324Wh: Appliances Connection.

HALF BATHROOM: Floating wood shelves: Etsy. Varaluz Socket-to-Me lighting: Varaluz.com. Towel rod #75912.B, Delta Faucet. Vanity/sink #3170312/3170007: Appliances Connection.

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Take a look at this gorgeous green bathroom in Gramercy Park, Manhattan.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post “Rip-and-Replace” Baths Get a Reboot appeared first on Sweeten.

Whether for budgetary reasons or because you’d like to contribute some sweat equity to your new home, you might be tempted to take on a portion of the renovation yourself. Depending on how you rank on the handiness scale, you may be able to contribute, and you should first discuss with your general contractor what is safe for you to do. Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, surveyed some of its GCs to get their take on the do’s and don’ts of homeowner helpfulness.

What to DIY

• Sourcing materials
• Painting
• Updating hardware (ie. knobs, pulls)
• Assembling modular cabinetry or closet systems
• Hanging small fixtures (ie. towel racks, swapping out a light fixture)
• Installing wallpaper

DO: Source materials

One of the initial tasks of a renovation is to source materials. “If you’re excited about the renovation and want to participate, a major task you can help with is to select materials, fixtures, and finishes as soon as possible,” says Sweeten founder and CEO Jean Brownhill. “Collaborate with your contractor to confirm the materials you need, including the measurements and the sequence in which they should be ordered and delivered. Getting this completed is a bigger deal than it sounds, and paves the way for a successful renovation.”

Sweeten general contractor Walter tells us that he often works with clients who like to find their own materials. “This saves time if the client already knows what they want, he says. “They can make the list and I will look it over.” In some scenarios, the clients are working with a designer, who also helps with the sourcing.

(Above) These Sweeten homeowners DIY’d some parts of their reno, but left parts that required licenses, trade skills, and safety to the professionals. Check out what Arthur, Bellamy, Susan, and Barbra did to their homes.

DO: Easy refreshes

Sweeten general contractor Matt explains that good DIY projects should be inexpensive upgrades and only “require minimal tools.” “Some simple DIY projects that homeowners can do is to freshen up the room with a coat of paint, update kitchen/bathroom hardware, install wallpaper, or spruce up the front entry with greenery,” he says.

DO: Paint

Generally, DIY painting is a great cost-saving measure because of the large disparity between the cost of professional painting and a DIY job. This is because painting is mainly about labor—and it does require skill if your walls need a lot of prep work. Sweeten general contractor Phil says that this job is a good candidate for a DIY because it’s “confined, not noisy, and relatively easy. Prep work is the hard part, so a homeowner could outsource that part and just do the painting.” Importantly, “it’s at the end of the project, you don’t hold anything up.”

DO: Work that requires minimal tools

If you’re a patient person with attention to detail, you can also assemble your own modular kitchen cabinets and closet systems, while outsourcing the installation to a general contractor. Many modular projects, such as those from IKEA, are geared toward homeowner assembly, so they require minimal skills and tools.  You can now find wallpaper that is installation-friendly. In general, though, you may need a second set of hands to help with this detailed-oriented task.

What to Leave for the Pros

• Demolition
• Plumbing or electrical work
• Any kind of structural work
• Skim coating
• Tilework
• Flooring

Often, it may not be advisable for a homeowner to take on renovation projects, even if they feel capable. In many urban apartment buildings, for example, you are governed by co-op, condo, and city regulations that require a professional to undertake any contracting work. Your building will require your contractor to provide a license and insurance information to hold the firm accountable for the work being done in your home. If you do the work yourself, you could get yourself and your general contractor into trouble.

Follow Sweeten on Instagram for endless renovation inspiration

DON’T: Take on demolition, plumbing, or electrical

Rules and regulations aside, there is also the matter of safety. Sweeten general contractor Phil told us that he’s had clients ask to do their own demolition in the past. “It may seem easy, but actually, there’s a lot to consider,” he says. “You create a lot of garbage; how do you get it out? What if you damage something that you have to preserve? What if you get hurt in the process?” These considerations also guide our recommendation that anything structural, or involving plumbing or electricity, is best left to the professionals.

DON’T: Consider skim coating

Skim coating is a process that hand-applies a layer of mud used in construction over the surface of your walls and ceilings and is then smoothed by hand. General contractor Walter strongly advises against a homeowner from taking on this task. “Spackling takes a lot of skill and practice that should be left to a professional,” he says. “If done incorrectly it would ruin the finished product of the job.” Jean talks about skim coating here.

DON’T: Install flooring or tiles

Flooring and tile work are other areas that homeowners often consider DIYing. Depending on the level of difficulty and your own experience with this type of work, you may attempt to take it on. But if you’ve never done it before, you may not be able to execute it properly. Any mistakes will have to be fixed by the contractor, which delays the project and costs everyone time and your money.

DON’T: Take on projects that may cause delay

The final consideration that Sweeten contractors point out is timing. If a DIY project is something that must happen in the middle of the project and be finished before the rest of the work can continue, homeowners must complete the DIY project when they say they will. Otherwise, the entire project falls behind.

General contractors are responsible for scheduling their workers, as well as any subcontractors for electrical or plumbing work, to make sure everyone’s job is completed in a timely fashion. If you, as the homeowner, have not finished assembling the kitchen cabinets, they can’t be mounted, the countertops cannot go in, the backsplash cannot be installed. (You get the picture.) These delays can be very costly. For this reason, the best DIY projects tend to be those that happen at the end of a renovation (like painting!).

With these do’s and don’ts in mind, go ahead and take on the tasks that give the professionals the space they need to keep your renovation moving along on schedule. You’ll soon be enjoying your new space with a touch of your own handiwork.

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Here are the top remodeling projects to consider if you’re renovating for resale.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post The Renovating Do’s and Don’ts About DIY appeared first on Sweeten.

As one of the hardest working rooms in any home, the bathroom deserves its time in the design spotlight too. After you think about the must-haves (toilet, sink, and shower) there’s plenty of opportunity to insert your taste, from the tile down to the hardware. Sweeten highlights five ideas we predict will take off next year, based on seeing thousands of bath remodels.

Here are the biggest 2019 bathroom trends to look out for:

• Matte black hardware
• Accessible design
• Wood-look tile
• Floating vanities
• Full-tiled walls

Matte Black Hardware

As far as hardware goes, gold and silver don’t even come close to the timelessness of matte black. The neutral, shine-free finish works for all styles, from modern to rustic, and will give any bathroom a polished touch.

(From top to bottom) Sherry’s bathroom is full of strong design statements, including the all-matte black hardware. White-out bathrooms are the perfect accompaniment to the darker detail, as seen in Lynn and Craig’s bathroom, as well as Saira’s.

Accessible Design

One of the most important elements in home design—especially in bathrooms—is finally taking center stage. From disability bars in showers to higher toilets, making bathrooms easy to use and accessible for those with limited mobility should always be a priority (and is sometimes legally required!).

(From top to bottom) A family in Queens converted an extra room into a senior-friendly bathroom complete with a curbless shower for their mother. Inspired by her own parents’ “aging-in-place” updates, Megan decided to use door levers instead of knobs throughout their apartment and installed hand showers in their master and guest bathrooms. Debbie combined two poorly designed bathrooms into one accessible space with enough room for her father’s wheelchair.

Wood-Look Tile

For very practical reasons, wood (aside from vanities or shelves) is not a common feature in bathrooms. Of course, thanks to wood-look tile, the natural appeal can still be achieved.

(From top to bottom) Marble walls and wood-look tile are the perfect pairing in Christina’s studio bathroom; Maggie and Ross took the ceramic trend to the back of the shower wall for a spa-like feel, while Penny and Kevin chose to complement the blue and white tile in the rest of the bathroom with a lighter gray wood-look floor.

Floating Vanities 

Wall-hung vanities do more than just look pretty. The extra space means the flooring can extend to the wall, which makes the room look bigger. Floating vanities also make cleaning easier (less nooks and crannies to deal with).

(From top to bottom) The guest bath in Tara and Mike’s home features a two-door floating vanity that lets the intricate tile floor take the spotlight. Bellamy and Zak’s master bathroom vanity doubles up on sinks and storage. Nancy and Aram’s long and narrow bathroom found the perfect storage solution in a custom wall-mounted unit.

Floor-to-ceiling Tile

If you find a tile you love, why not lay it from floor to ceiling? The luxe treatment gives a bathroom a cohesive and clean look, plus is moisture-and-water-resistant.

(From top to bottom) A white, hexagonal tile wall in Megan and Zak’s guest bathroom pops against the charcoal flooring and black hardware. Architects Terri and Brett opted for soothing light gray and variegated white tiled walls. Luxury was Blane’s mission when renovating his bathroom. Top-to-bottom tile was his answer.

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Check out our top kitchen trends of 2019.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post The Biggest Bathroom Renovation Trends of 2019 appeared first on Sweeten.

When it comes to fashion or interiors, trends come and they go. In the renovation space, styles and ideas are a little less fleeting—especially in kitchens, as replacing cabinets, countertops, or even flooring is definitely not an annual occurrence. Based on seeing thousands of kitchen remodel wish lists, Sweeten has identified patterns we predict will gain traction in 2019, while also becoming new reno classics.

Here are the biggest 2019 kitchen trends to look out for:

• Two-tone cabinets
• Minimalistic hardware
• Integrated appliances
• Hidden storage
• Statement light fixtures

Two-Tone Cabinets

Two-tone cabinets bring more visual interest to the kitchen, plus allow for more color exploration without feeling overpowering. White upper cabinets give the illusion of higher ceilings and more space, while darker upper cabinets create a cozier ambiance and ground the space.

(From top to bottom) The couple selected custom light blue and white cabinets that tie in perfectly with their sleek silver hardware and ornate tile floor. In this navy and white kitchen, the dark blue base cabinets give warmth to the otherwise neutral look. The pairing of white and gray shaker-style cabinets in this cook space adds to the modern-meets-traditional style.

Minimalistic Hardware

Hardware may not be the star of your kitchen renovation, but it definitely contributes to the overall vibe. This year, we’ve seen traditional knobs fall in favor of simple pulls that are no less practical—just more subtle.

(From top to bottom) In Jen’s Scandinavian-inspired kitchen, she opted for barely-there black matte pulls that contrast with the simple white cabinets. Sunghee and Joseph went with similar black pulls in their minimal space. Sonali and Shalaj chose silver hardware to match their appliances.

Integrated Appliances

There are two types of people in this world: ones who are partial to exposed appliances and those who would rather keep them hidden. (Kidding, but really!) Ultimately, it’s up to personal preference, but our recent renovations prove that integrated appliances are making their mark.

(From top to bottom) Trendsetting renovators Maggie and Ross (check out their two-tone cabinets!) installed a sleek Bosch hood vent that slides in and out. The paneled dishwasher in Nilda and Brian’s kitchen is so discreet, it’s nearly impossible to locate—P.S. it’s right next to the kitchen sink. In Lauren’s kitchen, the paneled refrigerator is part of a full wall of storage.

Hidden Storage Solutions

When spending the time and effort to reimagine a kitchen, why let pantry items and unsightly small appliances get in the way of your vision? Custom units allow easy access to essentials without the visual clutter.

(From top to bottom) Hallway “appliances garages” that match with the kitchen cabinets serve as a covert coffee station in Rachel and Marco’s home. A simple and smart slide-out cabinet holds cooking and baking essentials in another homeowner’s kitchen. Kate and Graham’s white kitchen features a pull-down cabinet to hide a bulky microwave.

Statement Light Fixtures

As islands and peninsulas have become mainstays in kitchens renovations, so have stand-out light fixtures to hang above them. Whether a chandelier or a more classic sconce, including a dramatic source, immediately makes a kitchen more intimate.

(From top to bottom) Megan and Zak installed a modern gold fixture in their blue and white kitchen, highlighting the Midas touches elsewhere. In Nydia’s colonial cook space, a bronze chandelier takes center stage. Handmade nickel-plated brass pendants from Egypt in Dawn and David’s open kitchen bring an international flair.

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Thinking about starting your renovation soon? This checklist will get you started.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post Forecast: Kitchen Renovation Trends 2019 appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Fix a crumbling bathroom in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Before: A prewar apartment’s charm can be a benefit and a curse. In Karun’s nearly century-old co-op bathroom, it was the latter. “I purchased the apartment from a sponsor [the owner who had previously rented out the space]. It likely had never been remodeled and was in desperate need of a makeover,” he said. The wall and floor tiles were cracking, and overall the bathroom didn’t reflect his industrial style. The entire apartment has been in a constant state of renovation since Karun moved in, and he wanted to make sure the bathroom changes matched the raw, exposed vibe of the other rooms. He posted his project to Sweeten and was matched with a general contractor.

After: Karun’s dream of a rugged, yet, refined bath came to life with an eclectic mix of materials and finishes. “I knew exactly how I wanted to do it, and my contractor was able to make it a reality,” he shared. More polished pieces like the Carrara marble sink and brushed bronze hardware balance out his edgier choices, like the vanity and raw cement walls. He included more modern touches too, opting for a wall-mounted faucet over the sink and marble herringbone tile for the floor. His sister built the floating wood shelves and vanity surface from a tree that fell in her backyard, which puts another personal spin on the bathroom.

His Sweeten contractor helpfully suggested modifications to Karun’s original plans, including choosing a contrasting color tile for the in-shower storage niche. Overall, the project went smoothly, though Karun did have to stay with his cousin for a longer time than expected due to plumbing delays.

As a first-time renovator tackling multiple projects, his biggest questions revolved around expected costs. “Estimates vary considerably,” he said. “Sweeten’s platform was invaluable in this respect.”

The bathroom turned out just as he expected. “[It’s] home, sweet, home. There’s nothing like living in a place that’s been customized to your own tastes,” he said.

Bonus: Karun’s advice for future renovators: “Get a lot of estimates and research customer reviews!”

Style finds: White Carrara marble wall and floor tile: Discount Glass Tile. Delite shower and tub hardware and Tipton sink wall-mount faucet: Signature Hardware. Square stone vessel sink and Dian vanity light: Wayfair.

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Angela renovated her classic prewar bathroom in Manhattan.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Pretty Meets Gritty in a Prewar Bath appeared first on Sweeten.

Combining two apartments into one home is one of the most time-consuming (and rewarding!) projects in the renovation world. The reason behind the decision varies, but the need is usually the same… more space. These renovators approached Sweeten looking to find vetted general contractors who could merge apartment units to fit their changing lifestyle. Learn more about their stories below.

(Above) A Sweeten homeowner’s renovation on the Upper West Side

1. Building a peaceful city oasis

When this homeowner’s search for a three-bedroom apartment ended in disappointment, he decided to go in another direction. He bought two apartments in an Upper West Side co-op building after consulting the building’s management and an architect, with a plan to combine them. Both units were located at the end of a hallway.

Working with his architect and Sweeten general contractor, he decided to merge them together through their kitchens and replace them with an open kitchen. He also expanded the master bedroom and bathroom, creating a mini spa with a walk-in shower.

A few bumps came up during the project; converting the bathtub into a walk-in shower required raising the floor underneath for the drain pipes in order to meet code and when trying to designate an entryway, they realized the configuration just wasn’t working. He ended up buying additional square footage from the hallway to create a more inviting one. Construction started in November of 2016 and finished in April of 2017, for a total of six months of work. The time and effort were well worth it. The homeowner said the apartment, “feels like living in a peaceful oasis above the city.”

(Above) Zoe and Arvid’s Sweeten renovation in Manhattan

2. Up against a wall

Zoe had long dreamt of buying and combining apartments, so when she and her husband Arvid felt they had officially outgrown their 700-square-foot one-bedroom in Lincoln Square, Manhattan, they took matters into their own hands. After sending letters to neighbors, they learned one was looking to move, and the couple bought their apartment.

The goal was to remove the two existing kitchens and replace them with a new modern cook space, plus rip out floors, and create a third bedroom. They learned knocking down walls certainly doesn’t come without challenges. Their contractor came across an unmovable gas riser in a wall they had planned to take down to open up the dining area. Their solution? Make it part of the architecture by designing a partition (pictured above) and creating a dining nook. “Our contractor carefully installed the panel and adjusted the baseboard to make a seamless connection. This graphic panel is now a nice focal point that adds a lot of character,” Zoe said.

(Above) Megan and Zak’s apartment combination in Manhattan

3. Building one modern, family home

When Megan and Zak bought a one-bedroom apartment in Carnegie Hill, Manhattan, they hoped the space would work for them and maybe a baby down the line. A year after living in their space, not only did they realize it needed to be renovated, but also that the apartment really wasn’t big enough for another human (even a tiny one). Luck was on their side as an apartment next door was available.

Once they finalized the sale, the couple started planning to combine the two apartments into one modern, family home. The biggest changes in the overall floorplan included eliminating one kitchen and converting a living room into a master bathroom. The rest of the renovation focused on creating an open concept kitchen and living area.

While they did run into a few issues (like discovering pipes in a wall that needed to be rerouted), overall the experience went smoothly. “Keeping our eye on the end goal—creating a home we love for us and our baby—made it all worth it. There’s a story and memory behind every material and decision we made. We feel so lucky to live in a space we created for our family,” Megan shared.

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Apartment combinations definitely call for an architect’s service. Here’s how to work with an architect during your renovation and what to expect.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post 3 Families, 3 Apartment Combinations appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Increase storage and counter space in a Queens, NY, kitchen

Before: Ed, a buyer for a retail department of a major New York City museum, purchased a sponsor apartment with his late wife, Kate, in Jackson Heights, Queens, nearly 16 years ago. (A sponsor unit is a unit or an apartment owned by the original owner or corporation responsible for turning a building from a rental into a co-op.) The kitchen was made up of cheap materials they knew someday they’d want to replace to fit their taste.

“We were pretty enamored by the bungalow/Arts and Crafts/Mission style, given that our building was built around the end of the ‘bungalow boom’ and the neighborhood shared a similar, working middle-class ethos,” Ed said. Otherwise, storage and the lack of counter space were a big issue for them. They came to Sweeten, posted their project, and were matched with a general contractor.

After: The kitchen came together, capturing the essence of Arts and Crafts style: warm, cherry wood cabinets paired with an earthy green-blue backsplash and natural gray quartz countertops. They moved the fridge to another wall, but otherwise, the layout remained the same. A radiator on the west wall presented a minor design challenge; their contractor suggested working around it by leaving a space open beneath the countertop.

Most of the project went off without a hitch and any issues that popped up were solved quickly (or planned ahead for). When the contractor went to pick up the quartz slab for their counter, he discovered it had been damaged in the warehouse. To keep the renovation on schedule, he texted Ed photos of other, similar options he found. “What we picked actually ended up looking better,” Ed said.

The renovators hoped when they removed the vinyl flooring, the wood underneath would be in good enough shape to keep. It turned out the adhesive used to affix the subfloor ruined the fir floors. Their contractor had thought ahead though, and had a flooring supplier save oak planking just in case. Since they had such a great experience and their contractor handled every issue that popped up, Ed shared he didn’t feel the need to contact Sweeten’s Client Services.”It speaks very highly of Sweeten’s contractor assessments that nothing came up that need your intervention,” he pointed out.

Lessons Ed learned post-renovation?

1.) Have a cleaning crew lined up.
2.) If you’re renovating your kitchen, make sure you have alternative places to have your meals in mind. 3.) Make sure your contractor has multiple suppliers he/she works with. Luckily, theirs did, but that might not always be the case.

While Kate and Ed worked on the plans for their kitchen together, she passed away before she could see it come to fruition. “The kitchen is almost entirely Kate’s conception,” Ed said. “It really feels like I’m living in her vision—it’s really comforting.”

Bonus: A custom drawer has exactly enough room to hold Ed’s Celestial Seasons tea tins.

Style finds: Cabinets: Custom by Sweeten contractor. Quartz countertops, 603 Coastal Gray: Caesarstone. Liberty cocoa bronze round knobs and pulls: Home Depot. Refrigerator, #BFBF2715SS: Appliances Connection. Dishwasher, #DW80M2020: Appliances Connection. Stove, #JB250GFSA: Appliances Connection.

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Take a look at this Long Island City kitchen overhaul.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post An Arts and Crafts Kitchen Built With Love appeared first on Sweeten.

Sometimes the little details of renovations fall by the wayside because there are so many design and construction decisions to make. That’s why it’s important to recognize seemingly minor updates that can have a big impact. For example, think about an apartment radiator cover. They’re not a building requirement, and they don’t influence a radiator’s efficiency. Still, this nice-to-have detail can instantly make any space look more polished and provide additional storage too.

Here are some ways Sweeten homeowners upped their radiator game. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

1. Sleek and modern

The centerpiece of this Park Slope, Brooklyn renovation was the kitchen. However, the Sweeten general contractor helped complete a few other projects in the apartment, including a handsome radiator cover in the bedroom. “My growing puppy decided the cover was her favorite place to sit and watch squirrels,” the homeowner shared. “My general contractor came back to install reinforcements so it could handle the weight of a full-grown dog.”

2. Bookshelf camouflage

Lauren’s renovation involved updating her apartment’s layout so the kitchen and living areas were open and cohesive. She focused on built-in storage in the kitchen and wanted to bring the same element to her living space. “A sleek bookshelf hides my radiator and air conditioner units that were always annoyingly off-centered from the windows,” she said. Plus, the radiator cover is perfect for displaying plants and knick-knacks.

3. Repurposed design elements

Architects Terri and Brett gutted their Prospect Heights co-op to make it feel more bright and spacious. Every detail was a result of their collaboration, including radiator covers in the living area and bedroom. A millworker made the radiators easier to access for maintenances purposes. Plus, the new covers’ tops were made from leftover stone slabs from the kitchen. This helped create a cohesive design throughout the whole house.

4. Custom carpentry

While Charon’s gorgeous green bathroom renovation was in progress, her Sweeten general contractor’s carpentry team took care of other apartment details. They built a custom bedroom radiator cover to match one she already had in the living area. The new cover joined the design elements of her home and put the finishing touch on her already pretty sleep space.

4. Added storage

Combining two apartments is no easy job. Luckily, Zoe and Arvid easily overcame that challenge. Plus, they made sure to still take notice of small (and important) details in their new home. The air conditioning unit and radiator in their living had 50 years of layered paint. Not to mention, it took up valuable space. With their general contractor’s help, they designed an apartment radiator cover that made the appliance less obtrusive and added shelves for extra storage.

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Check out these eight ideas for hiding refrigerators.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post You Don’t Have to Deal With Ugly Radiators appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: Refresh an old and outdated bathroom

Before: Penny, a product manager for a financial firm, and Kevin, a puppeteer with the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and their son, have lived in their over 100-year-old-plus co-op building for five years. They’ve been remodeling the Sunset Park, Brooklyn, apartment room by room, and until recently, waited on any major changes to the bathroom. They did, however, replace an old and “hideous” shower door with a curtain for a short-term fix. Once they were ready to bring the dingy space up to speed with their clean, simple style, they posted their project on Sweeten and were matched with a general contractor.

After: While they stuck to the original footprint, Penny and Kevin made one big change that had a big impact on the overall look of the bathroom: replacing the bathtub for a walk-in shower. “We spent most of our budget converting the old tub,” Penny shared. They were especially excited about the brand new glass door. A big priority for the couple was sourcing materials locally. When they went to select their wood-like porcelain tile floor at a nearby supplier, they found the light blue and white tiles from the same store. The hardware and major fixtures also come from a Brooklyn showroom close to their home.

The only issue that came up during the renovation was a leak from an apartment upstairs. It was resolved, as the neighbor became more vigilant about making sure water didn’t escape from outside her shower curtain, though if it leaks again, the issue will have to be readdressed.

Otherwise, the biggest challenge was the division of labor between Penny, Kevin, and their contractor—especially since the family was out of town for the majority of the project. The couple divided responsibilities, with Penny taking on the budget and Kevin handling the aesthetic aspects. “He presented me with beautiful designs and then I approved or suggested how we could do things on a budget,” Penny said.

They coordinated with their general contractor mostly via email and phone calls. “His willingness to work with a neighbor, send emails, and call was really helpful,” Penny said. As an experienced renovator, she’s learned to be more trusting of a contractor’s advice, but also that it’s important to speak up about what you’re looking to achieve.  “Be clear on what you want, don’t give up on your design, but be flexible and listen to your contractor. You will be surprised on how that can help—they see a lot.”

Bonus: Penny also added these words of wisdom: “Go with the contractor that listens and seems pleasant to work with,” she said.

Style finds: Glass door: Hofman’s Glass. Shower wall and floor tile, and bathroom floor tile: Express Brooklyn Tile. Shower hardware, vanity hardware, vanity, mirror, faucet, and toilet: GalacticTiles.

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This Murray Hill, Manhattan, bathroom stuck to its original footprint but got a stylish update.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Couple Divides (and Conquers) a Bathroom Reno appeared first on Sweeten.

Chances are, if you’re renovating in an apartment building—whether it’s a co-op or a condo—you’ll know what an alteration agreement is. And if you don’t, read on! It’s one of the many factors that will determine whether your renovation vision can come to life.

Alteration agreements recognize the reality of urban living: your neighbors are just a wall, ceiling, or floor away. What you choose to do in your renovation will affect their apartments and their lives over the duration of your project. This document prioritizes the greater good of the building over your desire for a new kitchen configuration, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get that new layout—it just means that you have to be considerate of your fellow residents. Sweeten, a free service that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors, offers this document as the jumping-off point for your renovation’s building approval process.

What is usually included in an alteration agreement?

SCOPE OF WORK: The document will request a scope of work from your architect or general contractor. This, along with submitted plans, will be reviewed by the board and its architect. They may have questions for you.

INSURANCE: The agreement will ask you to provide the proper paperwork from your contractor and any subcontractors working on the project. Pay attention to the level of insurance required. In New York City, buildings typically require $1 to $2 million of coverage. Some buildings, however, require upwards of $5 million. Sweeten architect Jiwoo points out, “If your building requires this level of insurance, the pool of general contractors available to you automatically shrinks. Most contractors do not carry this level of insurance, so you’re really looking for experts who specialize in luxury buildings.”

TIMELINE: Boards like to maintain the quality of life for other building residents over the course of your remodel. One way is by restricting the hours of the day—and sometimes even the months of the year—that a renovation is permitted. Usually, there cannot be loud noises prior to 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Additionally, Jiwoo tells us that in some apartments on Central Park West, for example, homeowners are only permitted to do renovation work in the summers.

Alteration agreements may include information on how long your project can take and require a penalty fee if you exceed that deadline. Sweeten general contractor Santiago shares that while many alteration agreements include this penalty, boards are often willing to extend the date or to provide a grace period.

Other agreements may dictate that only a certain number of renovations can be ongoing at any given time, so you may have to plan your date and wait for your neighbors to complete their projects before you can begin yours.

WET-OVER-DRY RULE: This is another key element to look for in an alteration agreement. If you’re hoping to move or enlarge your kitchen or bath into spaces previously designated as bedrooms or living rooms, you may run into challenges. Buildings often want to keep all the “wet” rooms in a vertical stack due to the possibility of leaks. Your architect can work with the board to explain how precautions will be taken to limit the possibility of leaks or noise from these rooms that might be disruptive to neighbors.

Is it worth submitting plans that request something that is expressly prohibited in the alteration agreement?

The document provides the ground rules for your renovation. That said, depending on the character of your board and the management company, it might be worth raising a discussion on a reasonable point if you think that the agreement is outdated or does not reflect current practice. Examples could be the enforcement of the wet-over-dry rule or the prohibiting of a new HVAC system. The first person to ask is the property manager—if that person says no, it’s not worth wasting your time.

What if there is no alteration agreement?

If your building does not have an alteration agreement, it does not mean that you are free to take a no-holds-barred approach to your renovation. This means that the approvals process will be dictated entirely by the composition of the board and its preferences. Smaller buildings might not have this document and these approvals processes tend to be very hands-on. This scenario may play out in the renovator’s favor, however, given that these small buildings can also be more open to your vision.

Important things to remember

Sweeten contractor Santiago reminds us of the purpose of alteration agreements: “The main thing is that the board wants to protect itself. Second, it wants to protect the other shareholders.”

But you should take the document with a grain of salt. “It only gives you so much insight. It’s a formal document, but the truth of the matter is only revealed when you jump into the process,” explains Sweeten architect Jiwoo. “Ultimately, the alteration agreement tells you very little about what the review process is like. It’s not until you get comments back from your board’s engineer or architect that you will really discover what is off-limits and what is permitted.”

Use your alteration agreement as a guide, but work with your architect and general contractor to help you navigate both the agreement and the co-op board. Find the experts with the right experience and you’ll be on your way to demolition and a reimagined space.

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Here’s how to find a general contractor—and what to look for.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. 

The post How to Read an Alteration Agreement in NYC appeared first on Sweeten.