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Brener Construction - Most Trusted NYC Contractors
Brener Construction Inc. are experts in NYC apartment renovations. We are a locally owned company with over 20 years of experience serving in the greater New York City area. We specialize in kitchen remodels, bathroom updates, and all of your flooring, painting, electrical, plumbing & millwork needs. Our team dedicates a great deal of attention to customer service and always believe that communication is key in maintaining a good relationship with our clients. We like to keep homeowners well informed on their project, updating them on progress that is being made, deliveries that are being scheduled and orders that are being placed. Outstanding customer satisfaction is vital to us and our team is well trained to ensure that you are satisfied from the time we start working until long after we finish. Feedback is encouraged and appreciated, it helps us work better to meet your wants and needs. We love technology and how it promotes efficiency, that way we can send you news the second we receive it.
We understand the unnerving feelings that renovating your home might come with and that’s why we’re here to offer you peace of mind and reassurance. Thank you for visiting our site!
– The Brener Construction Family
Our Services
Along with prompt project completion, we offer project planning assistance beforehand to ensure that you have peace of mind from start to finish. Whether it be a large project or small project, you can count on our team of specialists to meet deadlines and exceed your expectations.
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Blog Posts are Below:
Category Archives: NYC Apartment Renovations
What Contracting Work Requires Permits in NYC?
What contracting work requires permits in NYC? Are you planning a total makeover of your home’s exterior or simply planning a bathroom remodel this year? If that’s the case, you must learn about the different home improvement and remodeling contracts that require you to get a permit in NYC. Operating and letting a general contractor renovate your house without permits can instigate legal actions and penalties. Not to mention, neighbors might complain about renovation and construction noises. After all, you won’t have a permit to keep them quiet about the ongoing construction/renovation work in your apartment!
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So, what kind of contracting work requires permits in NYC? Knowing the answer to that simple question can help you steer clear of any legal complications and obstacles in renovation completion. Here’s what you must know about contracting work permits in NYC.
When Do You Require Renovation Permits in NYC?
The list of renovation projects and contracting work that requires permits in NYC is nearly endless. However, a basic idea of what counts as contracting work worth a permit can help you clear some confusion. Make sure you’re dealing with a legally-licensed and certified general contractor in the first place. Generally, New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requires you to have a permit for these kinds of renovations:
- If your renovation involves multiple trades, including construction, electrical, and plumbing jobs, you must get a permit from the DOB. This applies even if the renovation doesn’t impose any changes on the occupancy certificate.
- You’re opting for a major renovation that will most certainly require a change in the occupancy certificate for your home or any other type of space that you have. It could be the change in the use of the structure from residential to commercial. Or, it could involve the addition of different rooms, including a bedroom, bathroom, or a whole new apartment.
In case you don’t know how to get a permit for a renovation job and have no idea how to move forward once you’ve started a renovation, consider asking a good general contractor. The best home renovators and general contractors know how to get permits and legalize the renovation operations completely. Now, you must check out some of the most basic renovations that don’t require you to get a permit.
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Renovations That Don’t Require Permits
A lot of simple home improvements and renovations don’t require you to go and get a permit from the relative authorities in your region, such as NYC. As per the guidelines and standards, here’re a few examples of contracting work that doesn’t’ require a permit:
- Floor resurfacing
- Roof repair (non-structural)
- Plastering
- Painting
- Plumbing fixture replacement
- New cabinet installation
- Emergency renovation
- Ordinary public (no change to occupancy certificate)
Don’t forget that even when you don’t need to get a permit from local authorities, you have to hire a licensed and legally-abiding renovator/ general contractor. Without a licensed general contractor, you can have a tough time proving your case if the renovation goes sideways as a result of the contractor’s fault. Plus, you could be penalized for hiring a renovator/contractor not licensed to operate in NYC.
What Contracting Work Need Permits in NYC? Conclusion
Are you wondering when and where you require permits to start your home’s renovation? You can leave such hectic jobs to the professionals at Brener Construction Inc. We specialize in home renovation, remodeling, flooring, and other similar services. Our professionals, including vendors, sub-contractors, and construction crews, are highly reliable and trained.
We make sure that all home renovation and remodeling projects are completed on time. Plus, we keep the permits up-to-date and renewed when taking up a residential or commercial renovation job. Call us at (646) 455-3321 today and schedule a meeting with our consultant.
Best Materials to Use for a High End Apartment Renovation in NYC
What are the best materials to use for a high end apartment renovation in NYC? Of course, renovating a simple residential house in an urban setting and then renovating a luxurious penthouse in NYC are projects at two different scales. Therefore, the type of general contractors and the resources that they use can vary significantly. However, if you’re willing to renovate your luxurious apartment into something more functional and aesthetically appealing, it’s best if you learn about the type of materials most typically used for such a project.
High end apartment renovators and general contractors in NYC always source high quality materials and exceptionally experienced and trained subcontractors. The prices of the best materials used in upper end renovations are of top quality, so it’s safe to say that the best materials might also have the highest prices.
Best Materials for a High End Apartment Renovation in NYC
With high end apartment renovations, almost anything can be custom-made and fitted with custom materials. Therefore, the variations in style, color, and detail can be endless. But, high end apartments are often viewed as luxury residential spaces. Therefore, it’s in the best interest of apartment owners and general contractors to go for the best materials for renovation. Here’s a typical list:
Expensive Glass Panels
Glass panels have been at the heart of high end apartments. From stylish windows to sleek bathroom doors that slide without making a sound, glass panels come in a great variety of shapes, styles, sizes, and features. You will most definitely notice high-rise buildings and apartments having huge glass window panels with completely glasses bathrooms and showers inside.
Although glass doesn’t help much with privacy, high-end bathrooms are located strategically for personal use in bedrooms and other closed rooms. They’re among the finest materials used for apartment renovations.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Wood flooring isn’t just for aesthetics anymore. While giving off a traditional and stylish look, engineered wood offers stain and scrape resistance these days. If you’re working closely with your general contractor, you can inquire about the type of engineered wood that will give the desired look to your apartment’s flooring.
Eco-Friendly Insulation Material
Even in luxury apartments, eco-friendly insulation materials are some of the top choices of the best general contractors and renovators. Apartment owners love the idea of saving on energy bills and being environmentally friendly by promoting eco-materials for insulation.
High-Quality Concrete and Steel
You surely don’t need an introduction to what concrete is. However, it’s rarely used in renovating exceptional NYC apartments. But that doesn’t mean it’s not used at all. Some apartment owners wish for a simple yet functional base for their humble abode, and that’s where concrete comes in. Plus, during the initial construction, concrete plays a vital role as one of the best materials when used side-by-side with steel.
Crown Molding and A Touch of Timber
Timber is widely regarded as a prime home renovation and decoration material nowadays. Plus, its application for creating the most attractive and elegant crown moldings has left many apartment owners stunned. So, if you’re thinking about the best materials for a high end apartment renovation in NYC, don’t forget that timber crown molding is amongst the favorite options.
High End Apartment Renovation in NYC Materials: Conclusion
To build resilient spaces that harmonize with the natural surroundings and are self-sustaining, contact Brener Construction Inc. today. We offer professional renovation, millwork, plumbing, and other types of services to clients from various backgrounds, including residential and commercial. Professional builders and engineers are the backbone of Brener Construction Inc. in the highly competitive home-building and renovating industry in NYC.
Our professionals specialize in listening to clients’ needs and requirements and making sure that your dream for a beautiful and fashionable abode becomes a reality. Give us a call at (347) 626-7292 and schedule a meeting today.
NYC Apartment Gut Renovation: Things to Consider
Are you thinking about doing a gut renovation to your NYC apartment? During COVID-19, almost every family stayed at home working and learning with the family. If you are one of them, you may have noticed your décor and room going stale. Perhaps your chipping paint, outdated kitchen, or faded wallpaper is making you sick. Maybe you are planning a renovation in your brand-new home office. Or you simply want to tear your home and start over. In this condition, you need to rip your home down and renovate the rooms one by one. Well, that is possible. But, before renovating your home, you should know what you are getting into. Here is some important pointers that you should consider before apartment gut renovation.
1. Safety Precautions
Clearly, the first thing to think about is safety. Whether you are renovating a big section or small, safety should be a priority. Turn off the main circuit breaker and double-check the lights. Remove the switch and plug panels for your lighting system. If you know a little about electric work, it would be better if you consult a professional. You can contact Brener Construction Inc. for proper guidance.
2. Gut a Kitchen
You need to be careful about gutting your kitchen, especially if you want to re-sell the cabinets. You can gut the kitchen in the same way as you reinstall them. Turn off the main water and pipe system and detach the dishwasher and taps. You can shuffle and unscrew them out. For adhesives, use a retractable or chisel knife. However, when you use a power drill, everything will come apart with a hitch. You can dismantle the tiled backsplash with an air chisel.
3. Gut a Bathroom
Turn off the electrical sources and water mains in the bathroom. Flush and drain the pipelines, including the sink. Now remove the taps, chisel, unscrew, or slice away the shower, basin, and toilet at silicone holding. Like the kitchen, use the air chisel to remove the floor and wall tiles. If you have vinyl flooring, you can use a retractable knife to rip them out. But, before that, you need to cut the vinyl into sections.
4. Remove Plasterboard Wall
Plasterboards are hollow when you tap on them. These are vertical wood strips reaching from floors to the ceiling. You can use a crowbar, hammer, or chisel to separate the boards from the floor and wall. Use the same technique with coving. You can use a stud finder to locate the wall studs. Now, mark all the studs and use a sledgehammer in the gap. You will find these tasks pretty fun. Then, detach each stud using a saw.
5. Take Down a Brick Wall
The structure of the house and ceiling are often supported with internal brick walls. These walls are common in older properties. Taking down these walls is not an easy task, and you will require a professional’s help. An expert will inspect the structure of the house and measure the risk factors. Furthermore, they will use the right tools and equipment to remove the wall without any problem.
6. Be Efficient
You need to immediately remove all the debris out of the house. Don’t wait for the complete wall to fall before you start cleaning. Ask your friends if they can give you a hand. Once you are done gutting, you can also have a little party. The entire process will seem overwhelming when you do it with your friends. Plus, it’s a great way to make new memories. If your friends agree to help you out, you can assign roles to each one of them. For instance, you can divide the task into removing debris, dismantling, and tidying up. When you work as a team, you can efficiently complete the work with little planning.
7. Discard Wisely
All the materials you removed hold some hefty value. If you don’t think anything can be profitable, you should instantly dispose of it off. However, items such as toilets, bathtubs, kitchen cabinets, copper piping, old radiators, and basins are something worth selling. Even if these items aren’t worth enough, you can give them away in
your neighborhood. Many people will thank you for these unused items.
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8. Hire a Professional
If all of these tasks sound hectic to you and you cannot do it all alone, you can hire a professional team. Renovating companies can help you to dismantle your home. An expert team will carefully remove every item from your home and discard them well. When you let a reliable technician take care of gutting tasks, you can relax and plan new installations.
Conclusion
Are you looking for a professional contractor in NYC that can help you with your NYC apartment gut renovation? Consult with Brener Construction Inc. We’ve been renovating homes in New York City and the Tri state area for over 20 years. If you want expert advice or help, you can give us a call at 646-455-3321.
20 East 46th Street
Suite #200-c
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 646-455-3321
Email: info@brenerconstruction.com
Sources:
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/thinking-about-gutting-your-house-11-things-to-know-first-579192
https://fifimcgee.co.uk/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-gutting-a-house
https://www.amfam.com/resources/articles/at-home/considerations-when-gutting-a-house
Four Tips to Keep in Mind When Having a Home Office Space Built in Your NYC Apartment
Build a Home Office Space
While your apartment is meant to be your living space where you relax, unwind, and even entertain, for some people, it may also need to double as a home office space. While most apartments aren’t always set up with a dedicated home office, there is no reason that you can’t hire a professional renovator to come in and make that happen. With that said, there are a few tips you may want to keep in mind during the planning and renovation process, which will help ensure the office is exactly what you need and want.
Make Sure There is Enough Space for the Key Features
It would be great to have all kinds of available space in your apartment, but chances are high that you have a limited amount of space you can dedicate to it. With that said, you want to be sure there will at least be enough room to house the essentials – which is your desk, chair, computer, printer, and filing/storage system.
Give Thought to Lighting
As you work with a renovator, it’s also a good idea to bring up the topic of lighting. Lighting is a big part of your home office as there is a good chance you’ll be working some early mornings or late nights. Overhead lighting typically isn’t enough, which means task lighting will be needed.
What About Privacy?
Privacy can also be a key aspect when designing a home office. This is especially so if you don’t live on your own, meaning there will be noise in the background as you work. While you may not be able to put up actual walls, a renovator can work with you to find more flexible solutions that still provide you with a sense of privacy.
Natural Light is Always a Nice Touch
Whenever possible, it’s also nice if you can include natural light, meaning a window or door, in the office space. This will help to brighten up the office space and can help to keep you more alert and focused, which will only end up benefiting your work.
Let the Professionals Handle All the Stress
We encourage you to contact us today and schedule an appointment with the best apartment renovators in Manhattan, who will be able to design and create the home office space that you have been dreaming of.