Full Apartment Gut Renovation in NYC
A full gut renovation is the most complex residential project you can undertake in a Manhattan apartment — and the most rewarding when done right. Every system gets replaced. Every surface gets rebuilt. The result is an apartment that performs like new construction inside the bones of a building you already love.
What a full gut renovation actually means in NYC
“Gut renovation” is a term that gets used loosely in New York real estate. Here is exactly what it means when Euro Restoration says it, and why the regulatory process in Manhattan is unlike any other city in the country.
Strip to the studs — everything out
All non-structural partitions come down. Existing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems are removed. Subfloors are inspected and sistered or replaced where needed. Any pre-war lath and plaster is removed in favor of modern drywall and insulation. What you are left with is the structure of the building and your new floor plan.
New electrical — up to current NYC code
Manhattan apartment electrical systems built before 1970 are often under-paneled for modern loads — EV chargers, induction ranges, air conditioning, home offices. A gut renovation is the moment to right-size your panel, add circuits where you actually need them, and install structured wiring for lighting control and AV. We work with licensed NYC electricians who file their own DOB permits.
New plumbing — fixtures, supply lines, and traps
All supply lines are replaced in copper or PEX. Drain connections are updated where permitted by the building's stack configuration. All fixture locations are confirmed before walls close. In buildings with radiator heat, we coordinate with the building's super on any work near the risers.
Co-op and condo approval — the regulatory layer
Before demolition begins, you need approvals from both the NYC Department of Buildings and your building's board. DOB filings for gut renovations typically require a licensed architect to stamp plans. The co-op alteration agreement then governs the specifics of how the work is performed in the building. We manage both processes — DOB filing coordination and alteration agreement preparation — from our end.
Why in-house trades matter on a gut renovation
Most general contractors in New York subcontract their trades — they hire an independent electrician, an independent plumber, an independent tile crew. That arrangement creates a single, predictable problem: when something goes wrong, nobody owns it.
One point of accountability
When the plumber and the tile installer are both Euro Restoration employees, there is no finger-pointing between trades when the drain doesn't align with the floor pattern. There is one foreman, one standard, and one person whose job it is to solve the problem. That person works for us — not for a subcontractor who has three other jobs running.
No scheduling gaps between trades
The most common cause of gut renovation delays in Manhattan is a gap between trades: the electrician finishes, and now you are waiting a week for the plumber's schedule to clear. When all trades are on your crew, the sequence is choreographed by one project manager with no gaps. The plumber follows the electrician the same day.
Design and build speak the same language
Our in-house designers produce plans that our in-house carpenters and tile setters actually build. There is no translation loss between a design intent and a construction drawing. When a designer specs a recessed niche with a specific bullnose, the tile setter who reads that spec is the same person who worked on the last 30 niches the designer has drawn.
Locked-in pricing is only possible in-house
Giving a truly fixed price on a full gut renovation requires controlling your costs. If you are relying on subcontractors who set their own rates, your “fixed price” is really a best guess that gets renegotiated when the plumber changes his schedule. Our locked-in pricing works because we control every variable.
Timeline & process — from first call to final walkthrough
Full gut renovations in Manhattan typically run 8–16 weeks depending on scope, square footage, and building-specific requirements. Here is what every phase looks like.
Discovery
Site visit, existing conditions survey, wish list conversation. We understand your goals, your budget range, and your building's specific requirements before any design begins.
Design consultation & locked-in quote
Our design specialists work with you on every room: kitchen, bathrooms, living areas, millwork details. You approve the design and receive a fixed-price quote before signing. Getting everything right before work begins ensures no surprises once we start.
Permits & approvals
DOB filings are coordinated with our architect partner. Co-op alteration agreement application is submitted simultaneously. We manage all communication with the building's managing agent. Demo does not start until all approvals are in hand.
Demolition
Selective or full gut demo depending on scope. Debris is removed in wrapped loads via the freight elevator — never loose in the hallway. Subfloors are inspected and reported on before framing begins.
Rough trades: plumbing, electrical, HVAC
All rough-in work by our in-house licensed trades. Inspections are scheduled with DOB at each required stage. No walls close until rough-ins pass inspection.
Finishes: tile, millwork, paint, hardware
The longest phase — and the most visible. Custom cabinetry, stone countertops, tile work, wood floors, and all finish carpentry installed by our in-house crew.
Final walkthrough & punch list
We walk the apartment with you room by room. Every item on the punch list is completed before we consider the project done. Your warranty begins the day of final walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions
What permits are needed for a gut renovation in NYC?
Most full gut renovations require filing with the NYC Department of Buildings under an Alt-1 or Alt-2 application. If you are reconfiguring rooms, moving plumbing, or doing any structural work, a licensed architect must stamp and file the plans. Euro Restoration coordinates the full DOB process through our architect and expeditor partners — you do not need to navigate the DOB independently. We also handle the building's alteration agreement, which is a separate approval process.
How do you handle co-op alteration agreements?
Co-op alteration agreements are detailed legal contracts that govern how work can be performed in the building: which trades must be licensed, what insurance must be carried, what hours work can happen, and how debris must be removed. After 25 years in Manhattan co-ops, we know what managing agents and boards require and we prepare the complete application package. We have managed this process in buildings across the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Tribeca, and every other Manhattan neighborhood.
What does a full gut renovation cost in Manhattan?
Full gut renovations in Manhattan typically run $200–$400+ per square foot depending on material selections, plumbing and electrical scope, and building requirements. A well-appointed 1,000 sq. ft. apartment renovation with custom millwork and quality stone finishes typically falls between $275,000 and $400,000. We do not give ballparks — we give locked-in quotes after a site visit and design process. What we quote is what you pay.
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