General Process for Renovating (or Remodeling) Residential Condos or Co-ops

1. The condo or co-op unit owner engages an architect to confirm legal usage, landmark status, flood zone requirements, and other remodeling-related codes and regulations.
2. The owner obtains and reviews the condo or co-op association’s remodeling or renovation regulations and procedures. These rules should also be reviewed by the architect.
3. The architect develops the design and prepares permit drawings and documents for submission to the Department of Buildings (DOB). At this stage, a general contractor is typically selected, and the required insurance documents must be submitted along with the application.
4. The property management company typically hires an architect or engineer (Building Architect) on behalf of the condo or co-op board to review the documents submitted by the unit owner's architect. The cost of the Building Architect is the responsibility of the unit owner, not the condo or co-op association or property manager.
5. The review process by the Building Architect can be lengthy. Since the Building Architect charges hourly for reviewing drawings and documents, there is often a tendency for the review process to be extended with requests for additional clarifications. Typically, the unit owner's architect must revise and resubmit drawings and documents for multiple rounds of review.
6. Once the Building Architect completes the review and recommends approval, the association grants formal approval for the proposed construction. The architect or an expeditor then prepares and submits the permit application documents to the DOB.
   
7. The DOB reviews the application and grants approval for construction if there are no issues.
8. After DOB approval, the contractor applies for work permits. If there are no specific issues related to the contractor, the permits are issued.
9. Once work permits are issued, the contractor posts the permits and DOB-approved drawings on-site and begins construction. During the construction process, various inspections take place. Upon completion of the final inspection, the contractor prepares and submits a final sign-off form to the DOB.
   
10. The DOB reviews the submitted documents and, if there are no issues, issues a Letter of Completion (LOC). This letter is then submitted to the condo or co-op association or property management for record-keeping.