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.

—

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.

“After” photos by Kate Glicksberg for Sweeten

• Project: A tech brand expands office space in its NYC headquarters
• Location: Manhattan, New York
• Sweeten general contractor
• Interview with Piper Skillman for Chapter Interiors
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

Sweeten: How did you and your client come together?

Piper: Packet sought an interior design agency to align its growing office space in Lower Manhattan with its dynamic, emerging brand. Packet’s co-founder and CMO, Jacob Smith, reached out to another one of our tech clients (White Ops, who is also a customer of Packet) for a referral, and after noting our work there, gave us a call.

Sweeten: What is the client’s brand?

Piper: Packet creates the high-touch aspect of high-tech — making cloud infrastructure more delightful to consume for the top digital businesses in the world. Clients, partners, and employees needed to experience the brand the moment they entered the office and throughout their journey in the space.

Sweeten: What led to the opening of this new office space?

Piper: The tech company, which was founded in 2014, had recently doubled its staff and was planning on another year of team growth. While the company is about 70% remote, NYC is its headquarters and one of its global “hubs” where the team gathers regularly. When another floor in the building they occupy became available, Packet immediately grabbed it.

Sweeten: How do your new design and the materials used to represent your brand?

Piper: The brand colors dictated our palette but it was important for us as designers to go beyond an easy and obvious link. It was essential to convey their brand experience throughout the space.

When selecting materials for their Manhattan office renovation, the sense of tangible authenticity—a certain “human-ness”—guided our choices. We opted for wood floors with character, felt walls, linoleum work surfaces, and a special dyed-through MDF that you leave exposed (as opposed to painting.) In addition to tactile fabrics, patterns that reference those seen in their cloud data centers further connected the space to the physical aspects of the product and brand.

In terms of space planning, Chapter Interiors strived for activity-based workplace design. Instead of asking the person to adjust to the space; we investigate how clients work and build spaces to suit. This results in an array of environments for employees—spaces that facilitate certain aspects of work and help optimize performance. An example was helping Packet design for different types of work (e.g. talk-heavy sales vs headphones-on engineering) while finding places for people to gather, recharge, exchange ideas, or be active.

(Above) A phone booth for calls and video meetings

Sweeten: With companies working remotely because of COVID-19, do you foresee companies downsizing their commercial workspaces? How will office spaces change and service in the post-COVID world?

Piper: Yes! Reducing your footprint is an excellent opportunity to redesign your space (and save money.) In the short term post-COVID world, barriers will be erected and procedures will be put in place to minimize germ transmission. The longer-term implications are rethinking why people should go to the office.

Companies still need space for employees to gather. Moving forward, I see workplaces geared towards collaboration, team building, and brand connectivity with consumers and partners. Dedicated desks and independent work while at the office is less and less important. Numerous studies during the pandemic have proven that working from home does not hinder overall productivity.

It makes sense to combine working from home with time at the office. The best analogy I’ve heard so far is that working from home versus going into the office will be similar to eating at home versus going out to a restaurant. Employers need to make coming into the office special by providing spaces that foster activities that are worth traveling for. This ties into our strong belief in activity-based-workplace-design.

Sweeten: How was your vision executed by working with your Sweeten general contractor?

Piper: The site manager was wonderful. From day one it was clear she cared about the quality of work and was very hands-on. Together, we worked to problem-solve several issues to make sure the final product was cost-effective, durable, and displayed craftsmanship. I would love to work with her again!

Sweeten: How did you, as a client, work with Sweeten?

Piper: We work with contractors all the time— yet still, find the process of finding the right contractor daunting. For Packet’s office renovation in Manhattan, I had very targeted needs, and Sweeten helped me quickly vet and compare contractors.

Sweeten: Can you describe the “before” space?

Piper: Words can’t describe this space before! It was raw, with filthy carpet and random paint patches throughout. Bad shape… But the potential that Packet saw was great, with pervasive natural light, airy ceiling height, and breathtaking views.

—

When starting a business, here’s how to finance a brick-and-mortar renovation.

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.

The post A Manhattan Office Renovation Expands Working Space appeared first on Sweeten.

While it’s true their original purpose was solely functional, exposed beams have proven their worth beyond utility time and time again. Whether your home has an industrial, rustic, or contemporary feel, they up the drama and demand attention. These renovators, who all worked with Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors, proved just how striking exposed beams really are, regardless if they’re original to a home or newly added. 

A Tudor home returns to its roots with exposed beams

Sara and Mike gave their Tudor home a modern layout when they had their contractor knock down walls and create an open concept kitchen and dining space. To bring back more of the home’s Tudor characteristics (and to provide structural support) their contractor brought in exposed beams that echo the rest of the woodwork.

1929 exposed beams preserve Parisian-chic style

Here’s further proof that exposed beams can work for any home style. In Liya and her family’s Parisian-chic home, the contractor left the original 1929 beams intact. The white walls, ceilings, and beams create a crisp and clean look that contrasts with the dark wood floors and charcoal furnishings.

An industrial, clean take on beams

A renovation surprise may not always be a good thing, but in the case of Lia and Chris’ Williamsburg loft remodel, it most certainly was. Their top-floor unit with a terrace, parking space, and sky-high ceilings offered another benefit: original beams. Much to the couple’s delight, their contractor proposed they open up the walls and ceiling encasing building beams in the kitchen and living room. “This eliminated awkward lines and revealed some industrial elements,” Lia said.

Once hidden behind walls, beams become new focal point

Meg and Brett’s carriage home in Hamilton Heights was already chockful of historical charm, and once they exposed the original beams, it went to the next level. How they found the beams is a story in itself: “We walked around and knocked on the drywall—if it felt hollow, we put a hole through to see what was underneath,” Brett said. They came across different sets: wooden ones original to the carriage house, and iron beams installed to support the structure. “Some of the beams had initials in them, and we even found a horsehair or two caught in the wood,” he added.

Exposed beams add character (and even out ceilings!)

You know how the saying goes, if you don’t have it, add it. Jessica and David’s 875-square-foot apartment in Hudson Heights saw a lot of updates to make it work for their family. One stylistic addition they requested? Exposed beams. They wanted to bring more character to the space and as it turned out, the update served a dual purpose: the beams placed on the ceiling helped conceal an unfortunate spot where the ceiling was higher.

Recessed lighting within beams adds light, separation

First-time renovators Heather and Eric took on a dark co-op apartment renovation in Manhattan with the intention to lighten and open up the barren space. To turn the blank canvas into a home with more interesting detail, plus tackle a need for overhead lighting, they added non-support beams in the living room and bedroom. The structures offered a stylish and unique lighting solution that felt inherent to the home. 

Cobble Hill home goes to new heights after finding hidden beams

It’s amazing what can be unveiled in a renovation. Miguel set to renovate his “bland, cookie-cutter, white box” of an apartment in Cobble Hill and to his total surprise, learned it wasn’t so ordinary. The contractor was fixing some electrical issues and came across a brick wall, and then a ceiling of beautiful beams! Since the ceilings weren’t very high, Miguel decided to paint them white to make the apartment feel bigger and brighter.

—

Discover the raw appeal of exposed brick in these home renovations.

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 Exposed Beams Abound in These 7 Home Renovations appeared first on Sweeten.

At Sweeten, the experts in our network are experienced contractors and design pros we’d be thrilled to have working in our own homes. We check their licenses, insurance, quality of work, and customer service skills. Trust and open communication are the lifeblood of our free renovation service, and our personal connection to our experts enables us to match you to the best choices for your project. Here, get to know their personalities and click to view their portfolio, including photos from past work and client reviews, so that you can hire the right team and renovate with confidence.

Check out Megan and David’s portfolio here

Where are you from and how long have you been in construction + architecture?

Megan: I was born in Easton, Maryland. I grew up there and moved to Newark, Delaware when I was 10.  I’ve been in the field of architecture and design since 2004.

David: Originally from Wilmington, Delaware. I have been involved in the construction industry in some form since 1986.

How did you get into the industry?

Megan: I started my career as an interior designer, but always worked for architects in a role that more closely resembled an interior architect rather than a designer or decorator. During the recession, I was lucky enough to retain my job but shifted studios within the large firm I was working for and made the decision to pursue my architectural license. Dave put up with me during a year of maniacal studying while working full time and taking those exams to get the license.

David:  I started life in finance. I worked for a large financial company for over 12 years. At the same time, I had a side life in construction. I soon learned that I enjoyed seeing things get built rather than just moving numbers around. I made a bold decision to change my life to do something that challenges me every day in a way that I can enjoy.

What do you love most about what you do?

Megan and David: Transforming old run-down spaces into beautiful places that people can enjoy with their families. We really enjoy going into different buildings throughout the city that we’ve never been in to get a different taste of the city.

What is the biggest challenge about renovating in New York?

Megan: Designing spaces that maximize the layout and function for our clients while still meeting the (sometimes seemingly ridiculous) NYC Building Code restrictions.

David: Constraints: limited timeframes, limited building hours, unhappy neighbors, logistics for material deliveries, logistics moving crew to projects.

If clients have questions or concerns, how would you like them to address them?

Megan and David: We highly value communication and feel it is the most important part of the process. We want clients to bring their questions or concerns to us as soon as possible so that we can address them as quickly as possible. We use web-based software to manage projects and clients can post their questions/comments with pictures and our team can address them, but email and phone calls also work. However, please don’t text us at 3:00am—we have lives and families too.

What do you want all of your clients to know before you work with them?

Megan: We’re going to encounter hiccups. That’s nearly a given. You’re hiring our team to navigate those hiccups in the least painful way possible so that you can continue to enjoy your life while we deal with the challenges.

David: As with many things in life, you often get what you pay for. We are not the least expensive option in the city, but if you want good quality work from a full-service team that will commit to your project and give you a great experience, we’re worth every penny.

What is your favorite New York City building? 

Megan: Oddly and not for architectural reasons, the Time Warner Center at Columbus.
David: Grand Central Station.

What is your favorite New York City neighborhood?

Megan: The West Village.
David: The Financial District.

What is your favorite New York City restaurant?

Megan and David: El Centro–before having a family, we used to go twice a week. Amazing margaritas and no-frills Mexican!

Take a look at some of Megan and David’s renovations below and check out their portfolio for more photos of past work.

—

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor.

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 Meet NY Sweeten General Contractors Megan and David appeared first on Sweeten.

With retail stores already serving the east and west coasts, Babeland, a women-friendly adult sex toy company, was looking to refresh their SoHo shop in downtown Manhattan. The space would hold an expanded product line, bring in new displays, and an improved flow, as well as aim for a higher level shopping experience. Based in Concord, California, they posted their project on Sweeten, a free service matching business owners with vetted general contractors, to find a contractor who could execute and communicate from across the country. With a strong vision in mind, the brand unveils a welcoming new shop for the community.

PROJECT: Babeland renovates their Manhattan location in SoHo

LOCATION: 43 Mercer Street, New York, New York (between Grand & Broome)

RENOVATION TEAM: Sweeten general contractor

INTERVIEW WITH: Director of Visual Merchandising Sharon Lee based in Concord, CA

Sweeten: What is Babeland and how did the brand begin?

Sharon: Babeland was modeled after its sister company, Good Vibrations, a women-founded sex-positive adult toy company that opened in San Francisco in response to the lack of women-friendly sex shops. The first Babeland store was opened in 1993 in Seattle, offering a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment where customers could shop for sex toys and books, as well as attend workshops and inspiring events. The store’s popularity led to three more locations in New York.

Sweeten: What led to the remodeling of your retail space?

Sharon: The SoHo location opened in 2003, and after 15 years, it was time to refresh the store to stay relevant within the community and to improve the shopping experience for our customers. In the past year, we had increased our product selection dramatically and needed ways to present these products. We also needed a more efficient plan for storing product so staff could easily merchandise and restock the shelves. This meant moving inventory up to the sales floor. We created a storage room in the back that took up more square footage, but because of the new fixture plan and flow, the store actually feels more spacious and allows for easier navigation from section to section.

I felt completely confident with the process, even with being close to 3,000 miles away from the project.

Sweeten: How does your new retail design represent your brand?

Sharon: We were able to create better ways to showcase our large product selection and still keep the store feeling welcoming, safe, and fun. We used sleek tables and cabinets that allow our products to shine and encourage customers to explore. Customers can see more products through printed posters, mannequins, or display units; the shopping experience is much more interesting.

Our entryway has selfie stations where customers can have a little fun. They break the ice for those who may never have been to a sex toy shop or are apprehensive to enter. They allow customers to relax and realize that this can be a fun place to shop.

Sweeten: How was your vision executed by working with your Sweeten general contractor?

Sharon: Executing a remodel from across the country always poses potential problems. This remodel was scheduled to happen at our busiest time of year, so I was unable to get to New York to meet with contractors. Once our contractor was selected through Sweeten, I presented scaled drawings of the changes needed for this project, and through phone calls and emails, we were able to get the project underway. It was very helpful having an outstanding area manager, Amy Carnegie, on site to act as a liaison when necessary. Once I arrived in New York, the final stages of the renovation were completed.

Sweeten: How did you, as a client, work with Sweeten?

Sharon: It had been years since I last worked with a contractor in New York, so I needed a reliable resource to help find a contractor that could execute the work required within our budget. I presented the job requirements through Sweeten’s website and immediately received responses. They matched us with quite a few potential contractors. Once we accepted a bid from our chosen contractor, Sweeten stayed in touch with me on several occasions to check on progress, and offer assistance if needed. I felt completely confident with the process, even with being close to 3,000 miles away from the project.

Sweeten: How do you think Sweeten can help entrepreneurial companies like yourself?

Sharon: The services Sweeten offer are fantastic. The contractors have been vetted by Sweeten and clients can correspond freely with the contractors through Sweeten’s email system and make choices based on their particular needs. All this is happening while knowing the Sweeten staff are keeping an eye on your project. Regardless of the scope or budget of your renovation or build-out, Sweeten has a deep pool of talented contractors/designers they can connect you with.

Check out Babeland for a spot of fun and a dose of good energy. 

—

Commercial Renovation: Our Guide to Creating Your Retail Renovation Budget

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 Retail Shop’s Fresh Face in Downtown NYC 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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

–

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.

No matter how well you take care of a home, things can be damaged accidentally or worn down over time. This is especially true when renovating former rental properties. Especially when tenants move in and out year after year.

Sometimes, homeowners need a break from the stress of renting a property. And sometimes, they’re ready to hang up their hats as landlords and update their former leasing properties to live in themselves. To take care of the wear and tear and to suit their needs and style, these homeowners turned to Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors. Here are four renovation projects aimed at renovating former rental properties into forever homes.

1.) Outdated Rental Property to Modern Apartment

Sherry’s family purchased a Midtown East apartment in 2008. While they originally bought it as a rental property, Sherry decided to move in just ten years later. However, it hadn’t been renovated since the ‘80s and had extensive water damage from a previous tenant. Still, the apartment had good bones (and space!). Her remodel involved replacing the flooring in every room. She also completely updated the kitchen and bathrooms to reflect her modern style.

2. Prewar Studio to Charming Apartment

New York City’s housing market is full of prewar apartments with elaborate features. When Emily moved to the city, she was in search of just that: a charming apartment with original details. Her six-month search ended with the purchase of a 1940s studio apartment.

The apartment had long been used as a rental property—and didn’t reflect its historical roots. She worked with her Sweeten general contractor to restore the apartment to its former glory. They installed beautiful crown molding and paneling throughout.

3.) Former Rental Property turned Uptown Retreat

Ying and her parents’ Upper East Side apartment had seen many lives. Originally purchased as an investment, the owners and renters had lived in the apartment off and on. After the family hit their co-op’s rental limit, they decided to reimagine the space as a second home. The family added new flooring, paint, lighting, custom built-ins, and an overhauled bathroom.

4.) Updated Urban Residence

After renting out their Manhattan property for over a decade, JoAnn and Brian were ready to call the urban residence their permanent home. The couple was leaving behind a six-bedroom house in New Jersey for this mid-town one-bedroom. With that said, they needed an efficient space. That meant an emphasis on storage in the main living areas and bedroom. The kitchen and bathroom had also seen better days. The couple completely redid the two spaces while sticking to the original layout.

_

Renovating a rental property isn’t so different from renovating your own home.

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 Former Rental Properties Turned Home, Sweet, Home appeared first on Sweeten.

Grown children leaving the nest gives parents an opportunity to rethink their lifestyle and their home. For some, that means turning an old bedroom into a gym or office, but for these renovators, it meant tackling kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas to best suit their needs. From a couple looking to downsize to one returning home, learn more about their stories below.

JoAnn and Brian wanted to leave their 4,800-square-foot house in New Jersey to make a one-bedroom they already owned in Manhattan their new home. “Living in Manhattan had always been a desire. Since we were empty-nesters and our daughter was already living in the city, we decided to renovate our 600-square-foot rental apartment for ourselves,” they shared. While downscaling by over 4,000-square-feet definitely presented a challenge, a focus on storage in the kitchen and bedroom closets set them up for success.

The guest bathroom in Mary Ann and Frank’s three-bedroom apartment was almost all original from 1929. They bought the apartment in 1992, but wanted to wait to renovate until their two kids had left home. Their wish list included having a separate walk-in shower in addition to a new tub. To make room for a walk-in shower, they removed the storage closet next to the door. Otherwise, the footprint remained as is, while new tiles and fixtures contributed to the transformation.

Margery and Jim had been waiting for their opportunity to return to New York City. “Jim and I originally worked in New York and then Jim got transferred. We lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia for about 20 years and then when the kids grew up, we said now’s our chance to move back to the city, because we’re really city people,” Margery shared. They purchased an apartment in the Clinton Hill Co-ops with incredible views that also needed some work. After living in the apartment for six months, they were ready to remodel. The couple worked with their Sweeten general contractor to bring their industrial-meets-modern vision to life, and take down walls to maximize natural light.

—

Learn why five homeowners chose to remodel their homes—instead of moving.

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 New Chapter: Empty Nesters’ Reno Stories appeared first on Sweeten.

Christina had wanted to remodel her circa 1959 studio co-op in Murray Hill for the five years she’d been living in it. The kitchen and the bathroom were dated, lacked storage space, and were poorly lit. Each year, she’d revisit the idea of remodeling—even meeting with contractors—but the timing never seemed right between personal and professional commitments (she’s a financial executive). Hearing so many renovation horror stories also made her hesitate. She discovered Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors, and took the big step forward. Christina posted her project, was matched Sweeten contractors and made her selection. Here, she tells her story.

Guest post by Christina in Manhattan

Putting all my renovation fears aside, I felt my 550-square-foot studio space was not an accurate reflection of my style. The kitchen and bathroom were not well thought out, and the apartment really lacked adequate storage space. For the kitchen, I just used to ignore it by avoiding it altogether, but I couldn’t keep doing that. When I finally met the right contractor through the help of Sweeten, I felt the time had arrived to move forward with updating the space.

Even though it was the kitchen and bath renovations that drove me to get started, there were other things that needed updating. The walls were slightly bumpy in some areas, so I had them skim-coated [spreading a thin coat of joint compound or “mud” on the wall, and then scraping it away to leave a smooth layer] to make everything look as sleek as possible. Also as an artist, I have several of my oil paintings hanging throughout the apartment, so the walls were not all that noticeable, but once you update one thing, the flaws in other areas really start to show. Although not part of the original plan, the floors were changed. Upgrading the weak lighting was also a high priority.

My vision for the whole apartment was to look serene, timeless, and glamorous—without overdoing it. I wanted to keep things relatively neutral because my artwork adds pops of color; I didn’t want to create additional “noise.”

The small kitchen didn’t support the existing full-size appliances and was awkward to move around in. The refrigerator was too big and the kitchen lacked counter space, mostly due to a huge sink. That was the number one thing I wanted to correct. With little room to put anything (six inches of usable workspace), I ended up using a foldable table hung on the wall. I could not wait to remove that! The cabinets did not go up to the ceiling—another waste of a significant amount of space that could have been used for storage. The overall configuration became more efficient with a smaller sink and new ceiling-height cabinets. Mission accomplished!

In the bathroom, there was an old pedestal-style sink, leaving no storage space underneath. I have a ton of stuff and am also a neat freak, so I needed all the storage space I could get. I love mirrors that double as storage and insisted on having a larger medicine cabinet. This was a challenge because we had building pipes running behind where the cabinet would be fastened. We found a solution by combining two different-sized ones together; it looks amazing. In both the kitchen and bathroom, I paired Calacatta marble with wood-looking floor tiles for continuity. I knew that was the look I wanted even before shopping for materials. My contractor played an integral role in selecting the materials, offering a lot of ideas on what would look good and what might not work. He also helped customize the kitchen cabinets.

I admit I have expensive taste, and sometimes I got carried away with wanting very high-end materials. My contractor helped me stay on track and we found a lot of reasonably priced options at Home Depot for things like light fixtures.

The original floors were damaged by water from a pipe bursting. I wanted a high contrast between the floors and walls and couldn’t believe what a huge difference it gave to the look and vibe of the apartment. A soundproof layer was included per the building’s request. The entire removal and installation was surprisingly a relatively fast process.

I was most excited about redoing the kitchen; that was the area that bothered me the most. The thought of having everything finally the way I wanted it (within the constraints of the building requirements and existing structure) made me very happy. I was also really excited to be involved in every aspect of the project and learning about construction in Manhattan. After investing a lot of time and energy into the new finishes and design, I feel a greater sense of emotional ownership towards everything in my home. I’ve been traveling a lot lately, but I can’t wait to leverage the new appliances and kitchen to their full potential.

The space is now an accurate reflection of my style and personality. It makes me feel at peace and happy to come home every day knowing every single thing is exactly how I wanted it. I feel a great sense of pride in the final product.

Thank you, Christina, for sharing your renovation journey with us!

BATHROOM RESOURCES: Vermont series Anthracite floor tile and Calacatta polished wall tile: Galactic Tiles. Shower fixtures: Delta. Levity shower door: Appliances Connection. Sink/vanity: Royal Stone in Queens. Faucet, #ML102: Miseno. Toilet: American Standard. Lighting: Home Depot. Medicine cabinets: Appliances Connection.

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Floor tile: Galactic Tiles. Kitchen cabinets/drawers: Custom by Sweeten contractor. Cabinet hardware: Home Depot. Calacatta-style quartz countertops, backsplash, and sink: Royal Stone in Queens. Faucet, #MK003: Miseno.com. 24″ counter-depth refrigerator: Appliances Connection. Elite 20-inch stove: Appliances Connection.

LIVING AREA RESOURCES: Ebony Brazilian cherry semi-gloss floors: New York Hardwood Floors. Wall paint in Subtle Touch, #790E-1, Baseboard paint in Maui Mist, #BL-W10: Behr. Oil paintings (coming soon): Christinamaral.com.

—

Nancy remodeled her studio apartment on the Upper East Side 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 A Studio Alcove Finally Fits appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Meet Sweeten NYC General Contractor Ron appeared first on Sweeten.

With the Barclays Center on the north end and the farmer’s market at the Grand Army Plaza on the south end, Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights has something for everyone. From its historic architecture to its tree-lined streets, and with close proximity to Manhattan, it’s no wonder so many Sweeten renovators call it home.

Joel and Eric’s apartment

Joel and Eric already lived in the neighborhood (and loved it!), but ended up expanding their search for a larger apartment to include neighborhoods from Hamilton Heights to Jackson Heights and Brooklyn Heights. After a long search, they found what they were looking for…in the building next door. The one-bedroom, located in the heart of Prospect Heights, was brimming with potential. Its kitchen, with its dark cabinetry and metallic silver walls, was swapped for a more modern palette, including white, charcoal gray, and wood tone for added warmth. The pièce de résistance, a custom, wraparound counter that joins the kitchen to the living room, makes it easy to entertain.

Sarah and Oleg’s apartment

The small galley kitchen in Sarah and Oleg’s one-bed, one-bath co-op had always bothered them. They knew they wanted to do something with it someday. Thinking of growing their family, “someday” became “right away,” and the couple turned to a full kitchen renovation that would also convert their dining area into a nursery. The space opened up, allowing the kitchen to become a U-shape, and bright white cabinets replaced the old, wood tone ones. And just in time for two new arrivals (twins!), the dining area was closed off as a separate bedroom with sliding doors. 

Marissa’s bathroom

Marissa’s one-bed, one-bath co-op hadn’t been touched since the early ’80s, and it showed. Persistent leaks, dropped ceilings, and builder-grade fixtures made the space feel neglected and unloved. Drawing inspiration from her six-year-long career as an off-Broadway lighting designer, Marissa planned a dramatic makeover for the space. Black paint paired with white subway tile provides contrast while a petite, crystal-adorned chandelier adds a touch of glam. The finished space is smart, sophisticated, and wildly popular on Sweeten’s social media.

Kaija and John’s kitchen

Looking for a bigger home led Kaija and John to a one-bed, one-bath co-op in Prospect Heights. The priority was finding a sizable kitchen, one that could hold all of their appliances, including the ones that had been shipped and stored in Kaija’s parent’s basement in Minnesota. A gut renovation of their new kitchen was deemed necessary. The project centered on removing a half wall and creating a custom island with enough storage to stash an arsenal of kitchen gadgets. Inspired by the look of cement, the couple chose poured concrete for the island’s countertop. The addition of open shelves allowed them to put some of their larger appliances—like their attractive stand mixer—on display.

Amy and Nick’s kitchen

First-time homeowners Amy and Nick wanted to buy in Brooklyn but didn’t want a space that needed a lot of work. That changed when they came across a two-bed, one-bath condo in Prospect Heights that had a layout that felt perfect for them. The first step was to free the kitchen from the triangular nook it was trapped in. Combining the kitchen and living room gave the kitchen plenty of room to grow. Aiming to create a space that would be ideal for both cooking and entertaining, a supersized kitchen island was installed and topped with Calacatta gold marble. Now the kitchen is the couple’s favorite spot to hang out.

—

Renovating in NYC? Check out our guide on renovation costs per square foot in New York City.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor.

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 Best of Brooklyn: Renovating in Prospect Heights appeared first on Sweeten.

Sweeten’s Founder + CEO Answers Your Renovation Questions

Welcome to #2 in our series, Q&A with Jean, in which I hope to bring clarity to some of the mysteries of renovating. We hear your questions every day and work happily to bring you answers through our team and blog. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a serial renovator, each project brings a new set of circumstances and new queries with it. Feel free to email me at JBrownhill@sweeten.com. In the meantime, I’ll even include questions that I get asked most often—even at cocktail parties!

Today our question is about the costs of home renovation in New York City; if this topic interests you, I’d suggest checking out our kitchen and bath cost guides, including Budget Basics: Renovation Costs Per Square Foot.

QUESTION: Why is renovating in New York City so expensive?

JEAN: Like a lot of things in NYC, it comes down to logistics. For a general contractor to transport the drywall and studs—not mention the many other materials and tools necessary for the job—to your home, the planning can be really complicated. Not only does the team need to get everything to your apartment building, they need to get it up to your floor. Sometimes that means coordinating with an elevator, but in some cases, it can mean using a crane and craning in materials. What adds to the high cost of the materials part of a bid is the logistics.

The labor side of the equation is equally complicated. A lot of renovation projects going on simultaneously in the city and every contractor needs a tiler, a plumber, an electrician, etc. In order to survive the competition, he/she has to pay a premium to get a crew to show up at your job site. It all comes down to supply and demand. There are only so many skilled laborers in the city, and getting those laborers plus materials to your apartment can be challenging. Even for a house in Brooklyn, the crew still has to drive through traffic and bring the drywall from a warehouse that’s likely stationed in another borough, like Queens. Overall, it’s the cumulative expense of coordinating the drivers, trucks, and deliveries, plus having someone ready to accept deliveries and bring it to your home, that really drives up the cost.

—

Looking for more advice from Jean? Be sure to check out the first installment in this series, Q&A: What to Know Before Renovating a Brownstone.

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 Q&A with Jean: Why Is Renovating in New York City So Expensive? appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Meet Sweeten NYC General Contractor Aaron appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Meet Sweeten NYC General Contractor Nick appeared first on Sweeten.

The post Meet Sweeten NYC General Contractor Aleks appeared first on Sweeten.

You’ve spent months, even years, dreaming up your home renovation. You’ll want to hire a licensed*, experienced, and professional general contractor to execute the remodel. Make note that the term “licensed” can also be referred to as registered or certified.

*An important note: Sweeten contractors are fully licensed in states that have licensing laws. Some states in the United States such as Texas does not license contractors.

Renovations can stretch budgets, making it tempting to go with a lower quote from someone who is unlicensed. However, in the long run, this can cost you more—in some cases, a LOT more—if anything goes wrong or the work isn’t up to par. Renovation matchmaker Sweeten vets all the contractors in its network, and checks in on the project until it’s completed. Cities, states, and towns have varying degrees of requirements for a licensed contractor, but chances are, if you’re hiring a licensed general contractor he or she will likely:

• Be required to have insurance
• Be required to be bonded
• Have gone through a criminal background check
• Have taken and passed a contractors’ exam

Here’s why every home remodel should be done by a licensed building professional:

When do you need to hire a licensed general contractor?

• Projects in New York City that require a license include basement conversions, demolitions, bathroom or kitchen remodels, and wall additions. Specialty skills such as an electrician or plumber must have their own license that is specific to their trade even if they are operating as a subcontractor.

• In California, a licensed general contractor is a must for any project above $500. Electrical and plumbing trades must also be licensed for jobs over $500 and are required to take a different exam from a general contractor (more on that below).

Check your local building department

The maximum value of a project that can be completed without a license varies from state to state and county to county. It is wise to check with your state and local building department for what project type and size calls for a licensed contractor.

In New York City, projects under $200 can be done by someone without a license. Jobs under $500 in California, such as painting can also be completed by someone without a license.

Whether you live in the suburbs or city in most areas of the country, it is very likely that all but the smallest home improvement projects, like swapping out a faucet or painting room, will require a licensed general contractor. Anyone taking on a project over your area’s minimum without a contractor’s license is doing so illegally. Besides breaking the law, there is no accountability if an issue should arise (more about that below).

You want a contractor who has insurance for your protection

Your home insurance might cover a few things, but when something goes wrong with a renovation, an average policy won’t cover everything. For example, if a bathtub is installed incorrectly and causes water damage to your floor, your home insurance might cover the water damage. However, it won’t help you when it comes to fixing that shoddy installation job.

With people working in your home, you are something of a pseudo employer. If any workers are injured while on the job in your residence, you could be vulnerable to a lawsuit.

Those reasons are why licensed general contractors are required to carry two types of insurance:

• General liability insurance: This covers the contractor against any third-party lawsuits involving injury to a person or damage to property. For instance, if your contractor reverses into your neighbor’s car, the cost of damage is covered.

Your state, city, or county will dictate a minimum for general liability insurance. In New York City, it is $1 million. If you are remodeling an apartment, your co-op or condo board could request over and above the level required to get a licensed professional in your area.

• Worker’s compensation: This covers any medical costs associated with a workplace injury for anyone working in your home. It also covers lost wages due to a work-related injury.

• Do contractors need to have insurance in all states or counties? Although uncommon, not every region requires a general contractor to have all types of insurance. For example, Nebraska only requires GCs to carry worker’s compensation and not general liability insurance. Just to be safe, it is best to check what your state requires as well as the requirements in your local city or county.

A bonded contractor offers another safeguard

Many jurisdictions require licensed contractors to contribute to bonding, which offers financial help to clients often when insurance doesn’t. Bonding is a pot of money that pays out clients if a general contractor fails to complete a job, doesn’t do the job properly, or damages a home due to negligence.

Bonding is required basically everywhere. If your state doesn’t require it, then your local area will. To get a license in New York City, contractors are required to pay $200 into a trust fund with the Department of Consumer Affairs or prove they have a surety bond through a third party. In California, a bond is always done through a third party licensed by the state.  Similar to insurance, the contractor pays a fraction of the bond amount required to a third party, who agrees to pay out the full bond amount if it is needed.

In other states, like Illinois, there are different bond amounts for different types of work. For example, plumbing contractors must have a $20,000 bond, whereas roofing contractors only need $10,000. Again, as with California, the contractor pays a fraction of this amount to a third party. General contractors in Florida only need to be bonded if their FICO credit score is below 660.

Most areas conduct a criminal background check

Most areas will put applicants through a criminal background check. However, a criminal record won’t automatically disqualify someone from getting their license. It’s likely the licensing department will assess each applicant individually, weighing factors such as the severity of the crime, if it is related to an individual being able to carry out the functions of a contractor, and evidence that indicates rehabilitation.

Passing a contractor’s exam

It is common to sit for an exam before a license is issued. How difficult that test is and what questions are asked can vary greatly from area to area. In New York City, 21 out of 30 questions must be answered correctly to pass the exam and be taken by a sole proprietor or general partner owning 10% or more of the company. The questions focus primarily on the knowledge of the city’s regulations and best practices. Examples are “Must a contractor furnish a consumer with a written estimate?” and “What are the penalties for false or fraudulent representation?”

California requires two tests. One is a more general law and business examination that all building professionals must take. In 2018, more than 51,000 exams were scheduled, according to California’s Contractors State License Board. The other is more specific to a contractor’s line of work: general engineering contractor, general building contractor, or specialty contractor. The second test takes more than three hours and contains technical questions such as “According to the California Residential Code, what is the minimum allowable width of a residential hallway?”

How to check a general contractor’s license

Always request and check for an HIC number. Many areas make this easily accessible and the information is often through a city or county’s consumer affairs department. For New York City, there is an online search tool where you can check whether a contractor’s license is legitimate and current (a license in the Big Apple lasts for three years). In California, where licenses are renewed every two years, there is a similar online tool.

The United States is a patchwork of state, city and county regulations with licensing requirements differing from place to place but the process your licensed contractor will likely have had to undergo will be similar. In some cases, such as with California, licensing is handled at the state level. In other states, such as New York, licensing is mostly handled by counties. But in some cities, like New York City, it is handled at a city level.

Sweeten thoroughly vets its network of contractors including interviewing past clients, reviewing past renovations, and assessing the quality of the work. Start the path to your dream home with the right construction team and be a step closer to your dream home.

—

Finding a contractor who is licensed is an important first step in determining who to work with. Learn about the steps that follow in our post General Contractor 101: How to Find One and What to Expect so you can renovate with confidence.

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 Why a Licensed Contractor Matters appeared first on Sweeten.