Gut Renovation Services in New York City
Melani General Contractor delivers full gut renovation services for apartments, co-ops, condos, brownstones, townhouses, and single-family homes across all five boroughs. A gut renovation strips your space down to the structural frame and rebuilds everything from scratch — new walls, new plumbing, new electrical, new HVAC, and all-new finishes. Our licensed team manages every phase from initial demolition through final DOB inspection. Call (718) 283-4154 to schedule your free on-site estimate.
What’s Included in a Gut Renovation
Complete Interior Demolition
Gut renovation begins with removing all interior finishes, fixtures, and non-structural elements down to the building frame. We handle asbestos testing and abatement, lead paint containment under our EPA certification, and proper disposal of construction debris. In apartment buildings, we coordinate demolition schedules with building management for elevator access and noise compliance.
Structural Modifications
With the space stripped to the frame, gut renovation is the ideal time for layout changes. We work with structural engineers to remove or relocate walls, install steel beams, reinforce floor joists, and reconfigure room layouts. In brownstones and townhouses, this may include foundation underpinning, rear extensions, or cellar height increases.
Complete Plumbing Replacement
We install entirely new plumbing systems — replacing corroded galvanized supply lines with copper or PEX, replacing cast iron drain stacks with PVC where code permits, and installing new fixtures, shut-off valves, and water heaters. In pre-war buildings, this addresses decades of deterioration that patchwork repairs can never fully resolve.
Complete Electrical Rewiring
Our licensed electricians install new panels (typically 200-amp service), run new circuits throughout, add dedicated lines for major appliances, install GFCI and AFCI protection, and wire for modern lighting, USB outlets, and smart home systems. This eliminates the fire risks and capacity limitations of original wiring.
HVAC Installation
Gut renovation provides the opportunity to install proper heating and cooling systems with concealed ductwork, eliminating the need for window AC units and upgrading from outdated steam or baseboard heat. We size and install systems appropriate for your space with proper return air and fresh air ventilation.
Kitchen and Bathroom Construction
With all-new plumbing and electrical rough-ins, we build kitchens and bathrooms from the ground up — custom layouts optimized for your space, proper waterproofing systems, and high-quality fixtures and finishes. This is where gut renovation delivers the most dramatic transformation.
Flooring, Painting, and Finish Work
New subfloors receive proper leveling before hardwood, tile, or luxury vinyl installation. All walls get new drywall or skim-coated plaster, followed by professional painting throughout. Custom millwork, built-in storage, closet systems, and hardware complete the transformation.
How Much Does a Gut Renovation Cost in NYC?
Gut renovation costs in New York City vary based on property type, size, structural scope, and finish level. Here are general ranges based on our project history:
Apartment Gut Renovation (co-op/condo): $150–$350 per square foot
Brownstone/Townhouse Gut Renovation (single floor): $200–$400 per square foot
Full Brownstone/Townhouse Gut (all floors): $300–$500+ per square foot
Factors that impact gut renovation costs in NYC:
- Structural modifications (wall removal, beam installation, foundation work) add significant engineering and construction costs
- Co-op and condo building requirements add administrative costs and extend timelines through board approval processes
- Pre-war buildings frequently reveal hidden conditions once demolition exposes the structure — we build contingency allowances into estimates
- Material and fixture selections significantly affect per-square-foot costs
- DOB permit fees and expeditor costs for complex filing packages
We provide itemized estimates that separate demolition, structural work, mechanical systems, finish materials, and labor so you know exactly where your budget goes.
Gut Renovation by Property Type
Why Melani General Contractor for Your Gut Renovation
Our Gut Renovation Process
Step 1
On-Site Consultation
We visit your property, assess existing conditions, identify potential structural concerns, and discuss your design goals and budget parameters.
Step 2
Design and Estimate
Based on the assessment, we prepare a comprehensive scope of work with itemized costs for demolition, structural work, mechanical systems, and finishes. We coordinate with architects and engineers as needed.
Step 3
Permits and Approvals
We file DOB applications for all required permits, prepare co-op/condo board submissions, and obtain approvals before demolition begins.
Step 4
Demolition and Construction
Our crews handle complete interior demolition, structural modifications, mechanical rough-in (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), insulation, drywall, and all finish work through to hardware installation.
Step 5
Final Inspection and Walkthrough
We coordinate all DOB inspections, obtain certificates of completion, and conduct a detailed walkthrough to confirm every element meets specifications before closeout.
Additional Renovation Services
Melani General Contractor offers comprehensive construction services that can be integrated into gut renovation projects or performed independently:
Areas We Serve Across New York City
Our crews travel to job sites throughout all five boroughs from our Bay Ridge, Brooklyn headquarters:
See What Our Customers Have To Say
Schedule Your Gut Renovation Consultation
Ready to start fresh? Melani General Contractor provides detailed project estimates following on-site assessments. We evaluate existing conditions, identify structural opportunities, and discuss your vision before preparing formal proposals.
Call (718) 283-4154 to arrange your free on-site evaluation, or use the form below to request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gut Renovation in NYC
Apartment gut renovations typically require 3–6 months from demolition through final inspection. Brownstone and townhouse gut renovations spanning multiple floors may take 6–12 months depending on structural scope, permit timelines, and material availability.
Gut renovations typically range from $150–$350 per square foot for apartments and $300–$500+ per square foot for multi-floor brownstones and townhouses. Costs depend on structural modifications, material selections, and building-specific requirements.
Yes. Gut renovations require complete utility shutdowns, demolition to the structural frame, and extensive construction that makes the space uninhabitable. We recommend securing alternative housing for the full project duration and can help coordinate move-out logistics.
Gut renovations typically require DOB permits for demolition, general construction, plumbing, and electrical work. Structural modifications require additional engineering sign-offs. We prepare and file all permit applications and coordinate every required inspection.
A regular renovation updates existing finishes and may modify individual systems. A gut renovation strips everything down to the structural frame and rebuilds completely — all new walls, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and finishes. Gut renovation is the right choice when systems are fundamentally outdated or when you want a completely new layout.
Yes. We regularly complete gut renovations in managed buildings, handling alteration agreements, board approvals, building logistics, and construction compliance. Our experience with co-op and condo requirements across hundreds of NYC buildings ensures smooth project execution.